The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-10-30
WASHINGTON LETTER

Washington, Oct. 29-Not even
the confidence publicly expressed by
the leaders of all groups as to the
outcome of the elections next week
can dissipate the haunting spectre OF
change which hovers over Washing
ton. It was not until this week that
those in public life awakened to a
full realization of the situation. No
matter how the pendulum of victory
swings, it will bring changes to
Washington more than any other
community for here the nations ac-
tivities are conferred.
If you chat with the men and wo-
men holding minor positions, it be-
comes evident that every change is a
cause for uneasiness to those now IA
vored of fortune. They will tell you
that whatever candidate wins the
presidency, it will mean new faces
and new ideas in all government de.
partments.
Summing for the purpose of illus
tration if Mr.. Coolidge is the victor at
the polls, it is pointed out that he
will drop his role of trustee for the
Harding Administrator and select his
own advisers. This means, in turn,
that the so-called "higher-ups" will be
removed to make way for the new
Cabinet members friends. You must
reward men in politics by appoint
ment to posts of honor or allow them
to designate the patronage which falls
to the lot of the winner.
If Coolidge won, it would be up to
him to do the gracious thing with the
present Cabinet. The story is circu-
lated in inner circles here that only
Attorney-G General Stone is sure of
holding his job after March fourth.
The question is asked "What will be-
come of Mellon, Hughes and Hoover
the big three of the present cabinets"
If the predictions of this elmer cir
Gle" can be accepted on their face
value at this time, the Cabineteers
will be honored by Mr.. Coolidge by
re-appointment and with their stand
ing thus made clear to the political
world, the mighty trio, it is assumed
will retire to private life and make
way for new men. We are also adj
vised that these men have sold them
selves to the country by actual ser.
vice and at considerable personal sac
rifice. They will be glad to surrend-
err their titles with the knowledge of
a deed well done though not always
remembered.
It is limited that Mr.. Stone is the
only personal selection of Mr.. Cool
idge and aside from his friendship as
a college companion of the President,
has given strong indications to make
good in his official job. The latest
underground story says that Bascom
Slemp will relinquish his post as Sec
rotary to the President and that Will
liam Butler has changed his mind
about giving up the reins as chair
man of the Republican National COM
mittee. With these prospects it il
small wonder that the hundreds Of
public officials dependent upon pat
ronage are concerned over the distri-
button of political plums.
1t is conceded that in event Mr..
Davis wins the Presidential race or
that the present list of Federal Of
fice-holders, except where protected
to some extent by the Civil Service
liws, would be thrown out, bag and
baggage, to halt the clamor for re-
wards. The same would hold true
for Mr.. LaFollette and those now in
power know it would be of little avail
to expect retention of appointees of
this administration. Roughly, the
above digest represents the fears and
hopes of official Washington of today
as they wonder what the ballot box
will decide.
Aside from the election hubub,
the departments are having their
troubles. The Treasury Department
is uncertain as to the publicity feat
ures of the income tax law. 1t seems
that Congress is so indefinite and
ambiguous in framing laws that the
taxpayers must pay for the errors of
their legislators. At least, the con-
troYersY as to what CONGRESS- intended