The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-04-04
FIRST LESSONS IN ADMINISTRATOR

so far as to indicate precisely what
his policy is to be on any public
question, there is a .festino lente spir-
it prevailing it that is not only COM
mendable in itself, but is calculated
to win certain amount of public
confidence. He does not seem, so
far at least, to have yielded to the
opportunities of office-seekers or to
have shown an undue haste in fl
ling the vacancies which were pre-
sented for hisaction, unless the more
numerous appointments of the past
day or two are to be regarded as in
dicating different policy. Some of
his appointments, it is true, have
failedto come up to the high stand
ard we were assured had been set
up, but in the main they are fairly
good, from party standpoint, and
politics must be expected to have a
hand in such matters.
Listening to office-seekers and
their friends and filling public
places have gotten to be the chief
function of an incoming administers
ton. All other questions are held
in allegiance for the time being, for
the newly installed President can
do little else than listen to those who
swarm to the siege of the capital at
each recurring change. 1t is one of
the advantages of the civil-service
law that, faithfully administered, it
tends greatly to lessen the Disagree
able duty of turning out competent
officials simply because others want
the places they hold. 1t is a polit-
ical custom of the past, and that it
is a political evil no thinking man
will deny. Imagine any large pri-
vate business conducted in this
fashion, if the widest stretch of the
imagination can compass such a
case, and think of the damage that
would inevitably result.
Surely the administration of the
difficult and complex machinery of
the government requires quite as
much experience and skill as any
purely private enterprise can posi-
bly, demand. The appointment of
Col. Fred Grant to a foreign mission
has been variously and freely COM
mented upon. Nobody supposes for
moment that the choice was made
because of any special fitness for the
place on the part of Gen. Grants
Oldest son. But he was rather APP
pointed, in spite of his Disqualified
tions, because he enjoyed the dis
tinction of being born as he was.
Certainly this is not a very business
method of doing things, nor can it
be said to be altogether a political
triumph, but it rather points to the
conclusion that the President is
having his own way about some
things.
The country may not altogether
like his way, but it is refreshing to
see some evidence that he has a
mind and will of bis own, and is
not the mere fgurehead of an admin
istration for which he will be held
responsible. There is one ghost,
however, which will continue to
plague the repose of the administra-
ton, or at least of its chief. Col.
Dudley still moves like shadow
throughout the land. He seems to
wander wherever his fancy, or per-
haps his sense of security, suggests,
except to regions from whence he
came. Suddenly the climate of In
diana has been found not to agree
with him, although federal judge
has done all he could to render it
wholesome.
Colonel Dudley more nearly rep
resented the President at republican
headquarters than any one else
charged with the conduct of the
campaign. He gave practical di-
rection to funds which others con-
tributed to Chairman Quay's treas
ury. His correspondence miscarried
but his methods won the day. Does
il not seem hard that he should now
| be deserted by those for whom he
fought? But whatever mistakes
President Harrison may make, or
by whatever .embarrassments he
may be beset, it is to be hoped he
will rule his own administration,
and not weaken in the presence of
the hungry horde ready to devour
him. = 81 t,sss
Els own Judgment and sense of
right may in the end achieve for him
a triumph he can never hope to win
| if Ire permits himself to be the foot
ball of his party chiefs. -