Middletown transcript., 1921-09-24
HAS VOICE in PATRONAGE

Inquiry recently at the Postoffice De-
partmert revealed that Representative
Caleb r. Layton is still in favor with
those in authority in that department,
especially with Postmaster General
Hays and First Assistant Postmaster
General Work, as both of these high
officials let it be known that the Dela-
ware Congressman stands as well with
them and will receive the same con-
sideration as Congressman from other
States in the matter of the recognition
of recommendations for appointments
to office.
In view of the prevailing impression
that Senator dupont and Senator Ball
had taken over to themselves all the
Federal patronage apportioned to Della
ware, inquiry has been made into the
real situation, with the result that as
surances have been given that Repre-
sentative Layton, by virtue OF his
official station, will have very large
and commanding voice in the appoint
ment of postmasters in Delaware. AS
surances were given that his recommen'
dations, when sustained by the essen
tial merit on the part of the applicant,
would not be set aside by senatorial
protest or objection, but that they
would prevail even though both Sena-
tors joined in a veto of the Congress
mans actions.
The general belief seems to have been
that Senator DUPONT and Senator Ball
formed an alliance Immediately after
the formers recent entrance into the
United States Senate, and that Repre-
sentative Layton was left out in the
cold insofar as patronage is concerned,
but recent developments Indicate that
the lone Congressman retains his power
and that all he has to do is to exercise
/ it.
This will not be cheering news to
some of those who have been awaiting
patronage favors at the hands OF Sena-
tor dur ont and Senator Ball, but it will
be cheering news to those friends and
| supporters of Representative Layton,
who have been advised that their Con-
gresham has been shorn OF his power
and that he is a mere fgure-head.
charged with the duty of responding to
the beck and call of those higher up.
1t will be good news to them, for they
may now take new hope and be justified
in their aspirations for preferment to
some comfortable Federal job.
When Representative Layton calls
upon the postofice officials in the mat
ter Of postoffice appointments, and asks
as to his standing with them, it may be
assured that he will be told in effect
what is embraced in this story. He
will be told that the policy of the ad-
ministration is to recognize the recon-
mendations of Congressman in the ap.
pointment of postmasters and that their
recommendations will prevail even
against the protest Of Senators unless
the protest is based on the unfitness OF
the applicant and that the claims Of un-
fitness must be subject to proof. He
will be told that the mere objection to
an applicant on the part Of Senator
will be Ineffective.
1t has never been thought that Repre-
sentative Layton ever contemplated
surrendering his political and party
rights, but that he would persistentll
remain on the job, and in the end dem
onstate to his adversaries that he repre-
sents the State of Delaware in the low
er house of Congress by virtue of tn
commission the people. of that Stat
,, gave him.