The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-12-14
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News GOSSIP

WASHINGTON, D.. c., Dec. IL
The first week OF the congressional
session, now past, was duly launch
ed in the presence OF more West
Virginian politicians OF a Repubii-
can cast OF c~ountenance, than q
characterized any opening session
since the declining days OF the rein
OF William Howard Taft. me
6Yent was submersiye and incident
al in point of paramount interest
however, to the real business when
caused their visit. Their CHIEF
concern was political rather than
legislative. Prospective patronage
distribution was the hypnotic
magnet which drew them hlther and
charmed them like a RATHER Is SAID
to charm the unwary birdlet.
In preceding correspondents
from this sort the plans, demands,
and gossip arising from this initial
congregation of patriots willing TO
serve the Harding administration
and others who claimed to have
authority to represent them, were
referred to SO far as limited space
and capacity for recording would
allow. There is no need TO again
refer to them. The most important
tact is that while much was said'
nothing definitely was done. In
other words, there Is no slate. Nor
will there be until Senators Suther-
land' and Elkins sit down at a table,
following whatever conference they
may desire to hold with colleagues
from West Virginia on the House
Of Representatives side OF Capitol
Hill, and other representative party
leaders OF more than mere local IN
Iuence, and proceed 10 make one
The necessity for doing that ia not
now urgent, nor timely. The fed
eral plums that are TO so to West
Virginia are not yet ripe, and Will
not be for some time,
While applicants and their
friends conferred with the two
Senators, they conferred with them
separately, and there was no au'
khorizer Jason officer acting be-
tween them. In other words, II
should be understood that these
two appointing powers held no con
terence, ~counseling or consultation
on the question OF patronage anu
the probable manner o. It's parcel
ing out. From reports received,
mai impression appears to have
been made in some sections OF the
state, but 1t Is erroneous. The
doors are wide open to all the
aspiring, but it would be prudent
10 walk in as early as possible and
pet their names on the Official
waiting list.
In the midst ( the first weeks
federal patronage rush a cloud ap'
reared upon the r%uby-hued herlzon
Of the party o gan!zation in the
elongated tom OF a marked edl'
tortal leader from the newspaper
Of National Committeeman Nlrgn
u. Highland. SIt wa, sent to both
Senators and to all five OF the Rep
resentatives. On the face OF It,
and because of the care taken 10
see that the officials mentioned
should see and read it, 1t was &C.
cepted as having 10th the inspira'
ton and approval Of that leader y
the party organization. 1t was
admonitory and advisory, ana
showed Just enough teeth to indi'
cate in q most convincing nanne
mat a full set Of biCuspids and mo-
mrs woulC be on display should
subseuuent developments ana
events in connection with patron
z marching appear to warrant
an exhibition OF the full and unIm-
oaired set. 1t a be accepted as
4 fact that the Highland article
aid not 20. unnotiCed, nor its clear
meaning rendered muddy by any
incompetent Interpretation upon
any ones part. 1t created much OF
4 furry d vas a 24-hour topic
The article advocated both Fed
srnI and state appointments as q
Jesuit Of full and free conference
and C%ounseling on the part OF rep
r%esentatiye and responsible party
leaders with a view 10 making APP
pufntments party and not personal
mes. with the idea uppermost OF
quitting men in these places who
would be satisfactory officials IN
the first place, and officials highly
creditable to the party's repute anu
5taaitv In the second place; party
loyalty and service, personal char
acter and fitness, party standing
and influence being some of the
pther considerations entering into
Me matter. Concluding, The
Ciarksburg Telegram MI. High
lands paper) said: THE Telegram
heliAyes that will be the spirit
which will prevail, and that inc
course which is being followed by
President.elect Harding in sum-
monIng to his councils the party
leaders and men Of experience and
wisdom to aid him in the important
werk will be followed with regard
10 the appointments to be filled in
west Virginia. Thus will the par
~ be representative Of the people
and at the same time the spirit OF
harmony will be strengthened. The
N.HHU"