The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-04
Long Standing Custom Of Pool
ing Spoils of Office Dis
carded
NOT AFRAID OF BEAR
ING RESPONSIBILITY
Meetings of South Carolina Sen
ators and Congressman Held
at Dia's Instance.

Washington, May 29.-The old plan
Of dividing up the federal patronage
in South Carolina, put into effect
wnea the Democrats came into power
several years ago, by which the South
Carolina senators controlled the ap-
poirtnlent Of United States district
attorneys, nlarShalS aid similar places
and the house members the appoint
ment Of postmasters, was abrogated
here today, when at a meeting Of the
delegation at Senator Smiths office
1t was decided that this agreement
would no longer be effective. Senator
TillI4an having died and Senator Dial
taking another view Of the situation.
The meeting was called by Sena-
tor Smith, senior senator at the re-
guest OF Congressman Lever. dean Of
the house delegation. While all of
+. the house members were not present
enough were there to carefully can
vass the situation. the main idea being
to secure Senator Diars views con-
corning the matter and to ascertain
whetne he would agree to the Old
pan.
When the meeting adjourned it was
annoui:ced that Senator Dial's posi-
ton is that he is desirious Of sholll-
dering all the responsibility of his Of
fec, having been elected senator by
the Democrats OF South Carolina, and
does not wish to divide the RESPONSE
bi,ity with others in any matter
where he himself should act. He
wishes 10 be entirely free to act upon
any matters which from time to time
may come up concerning the dispoSiA
ton Of patronage in South Carolina
and feels that ne car better dc so by
keeping his hands free and united and
not entering into any agreement con-
corning the appointment to our divis-
ion Of federal Offices in the State. He
was sent here by the vote of the peo-
pie to act for all alike and he can
better serve this purpose by being ut
al times il a position unfettered by
any agreements Of any kind.
Hereafter as there Will be no agree
ment touching upon patronage mat
ters. it is; expected that tic appoint
ment 70 federal positions will cause
even more interest than before. For
instance. with regard 10 the federal
juGscship now pending in The West
ern district OF South Carolina. here
tcfcrc the matter WAS left largely.
with tie senators. but now with no
agreement il i; understood that some
Of the house members from the West
ern district viii set actively into the
contest inasmuch as many candidates
from the several districts are up for
Unless they do this. ti3e house mem
bar; Will have little show in these
matters. as the presidents executive
order of October 81, 1911 took the
naming OF postmasters out of their
hands
Today's action changes the con-
plexion OF the old senate and house
plan of handling federal patrona%e
matters in South Carolina and adds
interest to the situation.
Adj. Gen. W. w Moore John j.
N1cSwain and Col Holmes 3. Springs.
South Cardinals delegation to the
National Guard hearing here today.
appeared before the senate commit
ec on military affairs this morning
md went carefully over the matter OF
he reorganization and rehabilitation
If the guard.
1t is expected that congress Will
soon take cogniZance of this matter
luI civc the full force Of federal aid
o the State troops