premise: he erred by the <mask> of unsuitable men
hypothesis: the best context for <mask> here is The act of appointing; designation of a person to hold an office or discharge a trust; but not A bitter white crystalline alkaloid (C8H8N2O2) extracted from the seeds of the castor-oil plant (Ricinus communalis).  Called also ricidine.  Ingestion may cause vomiting and various other toxic reactions, including liver and kidney damage, convulsions, hypotension, and death..