Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-06-03
TO SHOULDER RESPONSIBILITY
Dial Would Discontinue the Old Plan
Of Patronage Distribution.

OF patronage bistFIputi0ns
The old plan Of dividing up the
federal patronage in South Carolina,
put. into effect when the Democrats
came into power several years ago, by
which the South Carolina senators
controlled the appointment of United
States district attorneys, marshals and
similar places and the house members
the appointment Of postmasters, was
abrosated here today, when at a meet
ing of the delegation at Senator
Smiths office it was decided that
this agreement would no longer be ef-
fective, Senator Tillman having died
and Senator Dial taking another view
Of the situation.
The meeting was called by Senator
Smith, senior senator, at the request
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 Inain idea be-
ing to secure Senator Dih's views con-
erning the matter and to ascertain
whether he would agree to the old
plan.
Dial Takes Responsibility.
When the meeting adjourned 1t was
announced that Senator DiaPs POSI-
ton is that he is desirous of shoulder
ing all the responsibility Of his office,
having been elected senator by the
Democrats of South Carolina, and does
not wish to divide the responsibility
with others in any matter where he
himself should act. He wishes to be
entirely free to act upon any matters
which from time to time may come up
concerning the disposition Of patron
age in South Carolina, and feels that
he can better do so by keeping his
hands free and united and not enter
ing into any agreement concerning the
appointment to our division Of federal
officers in the. state. He was sent here
by the vote of the people to act for all
alike and he can better serve this pur-
pose by being at all times in a posi-
tion unfettered by any agreement Of
any kind.
Hereafter, as there will be no agree
ment touching upon patronage mat
ters, it is expected that the appoint
ment to federal positions will cause
even more interest than before. For
instance, with regard to the federal
judgeship now pending in the west
ern district of South Carolina, here
tofore the matter was left largely with
the senators, but now with no agree
ment it is understood that some of the
house members from the western dis
trict will get actively into the contest
inasmuch as many candidates from the
several districts<are up for appoint
ment.
Unless they do this, the house men,
bers will have little show in these
matters as the presidents executive
order of October 81, 1917, took the
naming Of postmasters out Of their
hands.
Patronage Plan Changed.
Today's action changes the COM
plexion of the old senate and house
plan of handling federal patronage
matters in South Carolina and adds
considerable interest to the situation.
Adj. Gen. w. w. Moore, John j.
McSwan and Col. Holmes B. Springs,
South Carolina delegation to the Ma
tional Guard hearing here today ap-
peared before the senate committee on
military affairs this morning and went
carefully over the matter of the re-
organization and rehabilitation of the
guard. rd.-Washington special Of March
90 to the Columbia State.
Sf Look upon the faults Of others as