The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-04-17
LINED Up By Burleson.

LINED Up by Burleson.
Certain considerations made the
designation Of Mr.. Burleson Likely for
I" lining 'em up'' In the house. He is
conceded to be the best politician in
the cabinet. Mr.. Burleson is resource
full and quick TO act He will be re-
IHembered as one Of the floor leaders at
the Baltimore convention, while he was
still congressman from Texas. Be
cause Of his long service in the house,
he had particular qualifications for TAX
ing charge of an administration fight
in that body. He had a large personal
acquaintance with members, before he
left me house ,snnd this acquaintance
has been extended and made more init
mate since he went into the cabinet.
The postmaster general, more than any
one else In the President 3 Official fam
lily, comes in contact with represent
atives His ante-room il crowded many
days Of the year with these congress
men wanting to know about post
masters.
But, above all, Mr.. Burleson as post.
master general could make a. convine-
ing argument 20 these Democratic repre-
sentatives because they have to come
10 him for favors Democratic repre-
sentatives in every congressional dis
trict, except q few city congressman,
have the endorsement Of candidates for
postmaster, who, however, must be APP
proved by the postmaster general As
the rule goes, Democratic congress-
ional endorsement suilices, but it docs
90 ~. -
cases where Postmaster General BurIe-
son has vetoed endorsements and re-
turned word that some other more &C.
ceptible should be selected. This has
been done with sufficient frequency, 80
that every Democratic congressman in
the house knows II is worth while to be
on good terms with the postmaster gen
eral. With him Ginning lem upn the
administration had every expectation
of expeditions work and satisfactory re-
suits. Furthermore, there was need Of
the postmaster general 8 practiced hand
because the selected leaders of the
house, like CLARK, Underwood and Fftz-
gerald, had gone over to the opposition.
There is no evidence, however, that
Mr.. Burleson threatened TO withhold
fayors. Apparently he did not but he
made appeals and possibly suggestions
and what he would have done, had the
issue been sufficiently close may be a
matter Of speculation. An Illinois
Democrat, Representative Claudius
Ulysses Stone, of Peoria, had an ex-
perience with Mr.. BqrIeson, which indi.
Gates some readiness on the part Of the
administration TO take all the advant.
ages. As the story goes Mr.. Stone was
told at the White House one day, can
didate he favored. for collector OF I'M
ternal revenue in illinois would be nom.
mated. This was after a prolonged
contest, which had lasted about eight
months. II had involved Henry Pin
dell, who was nominated aud confirmed
as Ambassador to Russia and then re-
signed because there had been a ire
mendous hullabaloo. But, that aside,
Mr. Stone was given to understand that
his wishes about the internal revenue
collectorship in this district would be
respected by President Wilson.
Congressman Stone Demnra
Very shortly, however, as claimed
Mr.. Stone was summoned before the
POSTMASTER general anu told that ~ he
wanted 10 make sure OF his internal
revenue collector he would best support
the special rule in the house for con
sidering the canal tolls exemption re-
peal He demurred and, in fact, voted
against the rule. There are said Il
have been further parleys and when tbs
repeal bill came tos q final vote Mt
Stone voted with the President.
There was much talk in similar
connection aboht Representative vii
liam n. Murray, Of Boston. Mr.. Burle
son Announced some weeks ago that hs