The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-01-16
WHAT'S DOING
IN WASHINGTON

Considerable extension Of the power
Of executive patronage is furnished
by the periodical elevation of post
Offices of the fourth class to the third
class, thereby removing the postmas-
ters from the civil service and putting
their appointment in the hands of the
President. Recently PSI nominations
of postmasters for appointment TO
new third-class offices were sent to
the Senate in one lot, the increased
receipts of those offices causing the
change of classification. thus giving
the President discretion to continue
the incumbent in Office or appoint a
political worker to the place.
Another instance of the watchful-
ness of Hon. James r. Mann of ILL
nois in detecting Democratic schemes
to insure success of questionable leg
fslation occurred the other day when
a bill. introduced by a Democrat, was
reached on the House calendar, pro-
posing to establish a fish culture sta
ton in California. MI. Mann imme-
diately recalled the fact that the same
item had been included in the omni-
bus fish hatchery bill passed a few
days before. He called the matter to
the attention of the House. remarking,
"The gentleman ought not to take
two chances. He cannot ride two
horses going in different directions at
the same time" On Mr.. Mann's OBJ
lection the bill was stricken from the
calendar.
Much opposition to the bill recently
debated in the House, proposing to
allow the use of school buildings in
the city of Washington by "commu-
nifty forums for the purpose of dis
cussing social and political questions
appeared to be based on the suspicion
of certain Democrats that subjects OF
a political nature might be brought
into the discussions. Considering the
dubious record of the Democratic
party it is but natural that its mem
bers should hesitate in providing OPP
portunity for free expression of the
views of the people of Washington.
who have suffered much In the way
of increased taxes and curtailed ap-
preparations from a Democratic Con-
gress.
The Democratic representative of
the district embracing the town Of
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. has intro
duced a bill providing for the dona-
ton by the Secretary of War to that
community of -four condemned bronze
or brass cannon" for the ornamental
ton of the public park. This is one
of the little jokes that Congressman
occasionally play on their trusting
constituents. 1t is well known to the
initiated that such bills, when passed,
mean absolutely nothing, as they sim
ply authorize" the secretary, lin his
discretion" to make the donations.
If m takes the trouble to look he
matter up at the War Department,
one is informed that obsolete cannon
are not given away. but can be pur-
chased at prices ranging up to $3.50
each. according to size.
The resolution passed by the House
on December 10th providing for a
Christmas recess beginning the 22nd
was the signal for an immediate exc
dus of members to their homes for the
holidays. Only the members of the
appropriations and district commit
tees remained to give attention to
the District of Columbia a~ppropria.
ton bill carrying over s13, 600. 900
which this year has not excited the
determined opposition usually accord,
ed it by Democrats from rural com,
munities.
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