The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-11-24
MIR. Wanamaker and the Post
master GeneralshIp.

Amidst the general speculation as to
the possible composition of General
Harrison's cabinet, it is noticeable
that public opinion seems to point with
more unanimity to the probable selec-
ton of Mr.. John Wanamaker as post
master general than In the case of any
other cabinet officer. This unanimity
of sentiment may be based to some
extent upon the announcement that
Senator Quay desires to see Mr.. Wana.
maker selected for this important Office
of the people, the senator's important
work during the campaign emitting his
opinions and recommendations to un-
usual consideration at General Harri-
sons hands. But outside OF the fact
that Mr.. Wanamaker is supposed to be
supported for this cabinet appointment
by so influential representative of
Republican sentiment in Pennsylvania
as Mr.. Quay, the other fact is no less
patent, that the name of Mr.. Wanna
maker is associated with this position
largely because of the universal recog-
milton of his special fitness for the adj
milIistrative work which the position
demands. An eminent writer has SAID
that only one man in three millions is
capable of leading great army sue
cessfully, and only one man in million
capable of conducting successfully
great business. That Mr.. Wanamaker
is today representative merchant not
merely of Philadelphia, but of this
country, is undoubtedly largely due to
his innate ability as an organizer and
his unusual administrative talents. These
qualifications alone, however, would
have been insufficient to have realized
for him the reputation he has earned,
had they not been accom- panied Ey the
broad and liberal public spirit which
has characterized his business career.
Mere business shrewdness, personal
industry, individual enterprise and the
aptitude to turn to the best monetary
account, the opportunities Of success
that constantly open to men who
have capital at their command, win
their deserved rewards. These qualih-
cations, 1t is true, make up the neces-
sary condition of individual success, but
they do not unless accompanied by
broad Catholicity of spirit which en-
braces within its activities the welfare
of his fellowmen, constitute a fair
claim tic the highest citizenship. Mr..
Wanamaker has we believe attested in
his career his right to this claim, and
we adopt as our own the opinion, which
that conservative journal the Philadel-
phia Ledger has expressed in the fol-
lowing endorsement of him:
In this community, where he has
ived, as boy and man, Mr.. Wanamaker
is known as not only can active and en-
man of business" but as one
Of broad and generous public spirit,
argely interested in all movements the
object of which is to help persons, So
,iety or country. Ii he receives much
he gives much; and if he has been |
greatly successful in his business it has
been because not only that he was
wise, liberal, energetic, shrewd man of
affairs, but because he has shared his
success with others. He has not only
given of his abundant means to the
helping of those who have needed help,
out he has given time, labor, thought
ind money to help along their road to
certain success any and all plans which
ave reasonable promise of resultant
public benefits.
If Mr.. Wanamaker had no more than
honestly builded his private fortune
pom the foundation of his early strug-
les with poverty, he still would be en-
tiled to respect for his probitya nd enter
rise +; but he has done much more
nan that he has just achieved the
equation of being most unselfsh,
atriotic, public-spirited citizen, con-
erned not only about the success of
is own private business, but about the
elfare of his fellow citizens and fellow
{
With regard to the important services
,ndered by him during the campaign,