Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-24
Those 10000 Nominations.

Unless the Republican Senate imrne
diately confirms the 10000 nomination,
sent TO that body by the President, re.
Gently, the United States Of America may
awaken March 4 with lnping govern.
ment which will function more or less
ineflioiently for few days until Mr.
Harding can rush 20 the Senate chamber
thousands of his own appointments.
The majority of there nominations are
TO confirm recess appointments. Tho po-
sitionr held by the men in question vary
from high Offices, occupied by come Of our
most brilliant citizens, 20 minor places,
we'll handled, which are necessary 60 the
proper continuation of our government
Among ths appointments which lie in
Undiscovered files in the Senate are those
Of al seven members of the Shipping
Board. two members of the Interstate
Commerce Commission; FIVE assistant
secretaries of the Treasury; and three
chief officials in the Patent Office. There
are also hundreds of postmasters, Federal
judges, Federal attorneys, narehals, and
registers of land offces. who were APP
pointed during the Congressional recess.
IL is true that many Of these office
holders can continue sc their desks until
SUCCESSORS ere appointed; but in come
osscs the recess appointments may expire
automatically with The closing of the
Wilson administration OF course the
Republicans in the Senate VIII make
preparations 70 fiji these emergency cnsos,
and in come instances they may even
confirm, for the time being, the appoint
ments made by President Wilson. But
there is grave danger Of delay, and con
sequent embarrassment TO all concerned.
This situation he's arisen in the pact.
The Republicans have ample precedent
set by their own party for their present
lack of action But it is doubtful if ever
appo intnents cent by a President 60 dis
eenting Senate which refused 20 confirm
a single one ~ them
II Is remembered that at the conclusion
Of Cleveland's second term almost the
same situation existed. except that the
number Of appointments held up WAS not
nearly SO large. In this instance the lack
of action on the part Of the Republicans
has become almost national scandal
In hundreds Of casee the appointees in
question are not politicians, and have
nothing TO do with politics. For example,
there arc scores of army and navy appoint
ments which are being held up, not be
cause the men in question belong 70 any
political party, but merely because their
commander-in-chief,W Woodrow Wilson, is
the leader Of the Democratic party.
These. Ct course. will eventually be con-
frmed, but the delay seems exceedingly
churliah.
There is no reason for this action on the
part Of the Republicans except q desire
for revenge. the wish 70 enlherrsss the
Chief Executive onoe mere before his re
tirement, and the pleasure which is de-
rived by throwing one last briok-bat st the
man who has been a continual thIon in
their party't side for the past two adj
minisuations
Tho Senators who have withheld the
confirmation Of these appointments are
not necessarily upheld in their actions by
the rank and file in the Republican party
There arc many staunch party members
who feel that it would he graceful act Il
the Senate would conclude its relations
with the retiring President by graciously
appointing the mon whom he has named
foroertain posts posts, which incidentally.
many Of these men have held for months
under recess appointments. A change of
heart st the Isst minute is possible, but
hardly probable But there is yet tiTno for
the Republicans TO perform this courteous
act before the end Of the present adriris
tration