Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1905 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

Political and Ueneral Gossip of the National Capitol. Special Correspondence to The Democrat: The President has made some extremely unfortunate appointments recently. That some few unworthy ones will secure recognition among the great number of selections which a President is compelled io make is inevitable, but when such accidents happen in the selection of men for life positions on the federal bench it is an occasion of regret for everyone interested in the welfare of the Nation. Taking the appointees of President Roosevelt hs a class and they are so much above average that it is only fair to assume that he means to confer public office only on men worthy of preferment, but if that be his intention beds occasionly badly imposed upon and he should take heed and never again listen to the recommendations of the men responsible for his mistakes. That he does listen to men whom he knows have tried to foist upon him and upon the public service unworthy officials is probably the reason for his mistakes. t t t The latest appointment made by the President ie that of ex-Govnr-nor Atkinson, of West Virginia, to the vacancy on the Court of Claims caused by the death of Judge Weldon. The general comment of those who know Mr. Atkinson, the place to which he

has been appointed, and who are willing to speak frankly, is that he is “a cheap man for a highly responsible position.” Those who know politics and who seek the reason for the Presidents being misled in this instance will find the cause without trouble. Mr. Atkinson was endorsed by the two senators from West Virginia. In fact, it is generally believed, that Mr. Atkinson owes this endorsement to the fact that he withdrew from the last Senatorial contest in his State in favor of Senator Scott who desired to return to the Senate for which he is so illy fitted. t t t Of course the Senate could reject Mr. Atkinson. The power to confirm him lies with the Senate alone, but there are no charges to be preferred against the ex-Gover-nor. He is an honest man, so far as anybody knows, and for the Senate to refuse to confirm him would doubtless place an unjust stigma upon him. As to. his unfitness, witness the following: The judicial position to which President Roosvelt has appointed him is one that calls for the most expert judicial skill, comprehensive knowledge of the law and a fine ability to weigh legal propositions. Mr. Atkinson began life teaching school which he abandoned to qualify for the Methodist ministry. Since then he has been connected with several newspapers and has held public office almost continuously. Not more than eight years have been devoted to the practice of law in the ex-Governor’s career since he graduated, with considerable honor, from Howard University Law School about 1872. In a word, it is not because he possesses a record or any particular disabilities which would bar him from the bench, but because he lacks those qualities, especially expeiience, which every prominent member of the judiciary should possess. t t t Another instance of President Roosevelt’s being misled in regard to the character of a man he appointed to the bench is that of Judge Wickersham of Alaska. Judge Wickersham has been attacked in the Senate, not on personal grounds but because there are certain things in his record which seem to demonstrate his unfitness for the position to which the President has appointed him. The Senate has thus far failed to

confirm Judge Wickersham and he will be compelled to come to Washington and answer charges before the Senate Judicary committee next fall. If he is unable satisfactorily to refute these charges he will not be confirmed at all, although he will have I served a considerable time under the recess appointment. t t t Still another instance of an unfortunate appointment, although one of less importance, has recently come to light. For some unexplained reason the President has conferred a consul-generalship on a newspaper man utterly unfit for the place. The American consulate in a section far from a United States embassy or legation should be a source of refuge and comfort to Americans traveling abroad, such is certain not to be the case with the consulate to which this man has been appointed. He is not only not the “right sort’’ of man to hold such an office, but he is addicted to the use of liquor and all who know him confidently expect that he will prove a source of annoyance and mortification to all Americans \ who have occasion to transact busmess with his office, or to visit the city to which he is appointed. ft t As already indicated,these errors of judgement or mistakes in character are the result of the President’s listening to the recommendations of men whom he knows to be guided by any impulse rather than the proper ones, the credit of their country and their party. For instance he still appoints men on the recommendation of Senator Platt of New York although in one instance three of the most prominent members of the Senate were compelled to go to the White House’and make representations regarding a man appointed to a high office on Platt's recommendation, which resulted in the President’s immediately withdrawing the nomination. In another instance, the President promised to appoint a man to an important position ip Washington on Platt’s urging. Prominent members of the Senate went to the White House and told the President the man could not be trusted. The President was compelled to break his promise and yet the President has this spring appointed this man to an important consular position. It must be admitted that in the main the President’s appointees

are fit men, but that he will occasionally make grievous errors as • long as he heeds the urging of ; politicans who have demonstrated their willingness to recommend ' men who are certain to bring discredit oii his administration cannot be doubted. To every customer bringing to Murray’s store a case of eggs or more we will give a nine doz. egg case free, as long as the present stock lasts.