Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-09-03
"BEWARE THE IDES
OF MARCH" WARNING

81 W. ,. MANNs Z
Copyright, 1920. by the Washington I

BY W. S. MANN.
copyright, 1920. by the Washington
Star.)
WASHINGTON. Sept. 2.-"Beware
the Ides of March" The ancient.
warning today applies to those APP
pointees of President Wilson who
must yet be confirmed by a Re-
publican senate. If the Republicans
win in the national elections In
November, the chances of the con-
flrmation Of these appointees by the
senate are very slim-much too slim
for the comfort of the Office holders.
This applies not only to the men
now receiving recess appointments
but also to those who were appoint
ed by the President during the last
session of congress, but whose no
limitations were not acted upon by
the senate. There was a consider
able number of these unfortunates.
including Samuel w. Mccall, former
representative and governor of Mass
achusetts, who was named a member
of the United States Tariff Commits
sion. He has Since been given a
recess appointment. 1t includes too,
John SHELTON Williams, controller of
the currency, whose nomination has
been a bone of contention between
the GTESlQGHL anu the Gtldl9 lOF
more than a year.
1t was reported at first that Mr..
Mccall had declined the recess ap.
pointment to the tariff commission.
But nov it is reported that he Is
to accept. having reconsidered at
the request of the President. His
confirmation by the senate appears
unlikely in view Of the animosty
toward him OF the part of a number
OF the republican senator's. Though
Mr.. Mccall is a Republican, Serving
in the House and also as governor
of Massachusetts as a Republican,
he is charged by some of the party
with having made 1t possible for
the Democrats to elect Senator David
1. Walsh to succeed Senator Weeks,
two years ago. His son-in-law,
Thomas w. Lawson, ran on a third
ticket and took away enough of the
Republican vote to prevent the cleo
ton of Weeks, who is now Re-
publican national committeeman for
Massachusetts, and who is likely to
become secretary of the navy in the
event of Harding's election as Pre-
sident.
Mr.. McCalps nomination anne to the
senate weeks and months before the
adjournment Of the last session of
congress, but it was buried in the
senate finance committee and never
acted upon. If he takes the job and
fails of confirmation, he may lose
his pay. according to old rulings of
the controller of the treasury.
The Republicans have in mind the
fate of the nominations made by
President Taft during the last ses-
sion of congress of his term of office.
The Democrats absolutely refused to
allow any of them to be confirmed,
though they did not have a majority
of the senate. But they were able
to filibuster and prevent action upon
nominations. After eight long,
lean years. the Republicans are in
a frame of mind to save all the Of
now to be filled until after the
Republican administration comes in
next March, provided, of course, that
they win at the polls in November.
In the case of army and navy ap-
.pointments, where the promotions
are due, it is likely that the senate
will act favorably. There would be
little object in holding up these no
limitations for they would have to
made by the Republican Presi-
dent. if elected. But there are a
number of fat jobs, not to mention
Ilu4luISuS VI n
United States Marshals and United
States attorneys, to be appointed in
the regular order of business between
now and March 4 next, and it isl
likely they will be reserved for de
serving" Republicans. 4
Take the Office of controller of the
currency, which carries with it
membership on the federal reserve
board. Mr.. Williams is holding that
office under the law which permits
his continuing in office until his sue
cessor has been appointed and con-
frmed. 1t is a fiat" Office and one |
of great importance to the financial
world. The Republicans had enough
votes. they said, to reject the no.
mination of Mr.. Williams, al the
last session of congress. He was
held to be temperamentally unfit for |
the office by his opponents. But they
figured out that if another Democrat
was appointed after his rejection,
that Democrats might not be subject |
to substantial objections, and if he
was confirmed by the senate, he
would have a five year term to serve. |
Why, they said, should they give this
job to a Democrat. when by merely
letting things ride. they could get
rid of Mr.. Williams and substitute
a Republican after March 4 next. All
of this presupposes a Republican
victory in November.