The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-19
Indiana Candidates. q

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal
After reading the columns of special dis
patches from Washington, the suspicion
steals over one that many Indiana Repub-
licans must have failed to notice the follow
ing hint in President Harrsons admirable
inaugural address,: Persistent importuni-
ty will not be the best support of an appli-
can't for Office" While it is reasonable to
expect that Indiana will furnish larger
contingent than any other State of patriots
willing to serve the country in offices of
trust and profit, it is unreasonable for In
sistent importantly" A scramble among
Indiana friends of the President for the
offices under his administration is unseemly,
even though ''the seeking of public office
by proper methods is entirely creditable."
We should not forget that our State
i i;0n without Republican uitis representa-
ate, and the President is unable
to protect himself behind the convenient
shield of senatorial courtesy. In districts
represented by Republican members of Con-
gress the situation is much simplified. The
member may be held responsible for the APP
polntments; his recommendation may con-
troll. But the majority of districts are rep
resented by Democrats whom the President
cannot consult as to the character and fit
ing personal friends of the President may
be inclined to hold him personally response
BILE for the appointments within the State.
He may be willing to assume all the re-
embarrass him. More than ordinary d.
plomacy-more than human sagacity-must
be exercised il the patronage is distributed
without discOrd or factions within the
Republican party holds control in Indiana
demands the adoption of such methods as
will secure the highest degree of harmony.
1t admonishes candidates to exercise the
fullest measure of forbearance, and support
the administration with unselfsh devotion.
When half a dozen Indiana gentlemen
push their alleged claims for the
same office. each vying. with the
Others in his personal friendship for
ment on that relation, five of them may be
required to exhibit the graces of seld-denial
and self-cOntrol IN extending cOngratula-
lions to the sixth on his appointment.
Otherwise the relations are liable to be
finding and captiOus criticism. Some
method should be adopted that might re-
Geve the President of deciding between
personal friends who reequally worthy and
equally capable. 1t is unfair as we'll as EN-
barrassing. A lottery system would be
preferable. Let the names of candidates
for the same Office be placed in a hat and
blind folded boy draw out the lucky name.
II
board of arbitration composed of fifty
prominent Republicans selected for that
purpose by the candidates themselves, and
the vote of a majority of this board decide
the contest. Any method agreed to by the
importantly" of all and their friends until
the President is forced to decide and in the
decision strengthens the obligations of one
friend while he weakens the bonds of all
the other contestants or perhaps changes
them to enemies.
If the local contests are all determined
without arouslng personal antagOnismS or
factiOnal controversies to threaten Repub-
lcan ascendency in the State. there
Indiana Republicans-the tendency of
being too previous and becoming too
numerous at Washington. Although our
State possesses the intellectual capacity,
quisite to adorn and equip all of the official
stations, foreign and domestic, it is not in
good form to demand them all The adj
ministratiOn extends Oter some forty other
must be broad enough to extend over all,
and sharp to discover their great men and
patriots who seek office by honorable
methods" The patronage is not the per-
sOnal property, and prerogative of the
President. 1t should not be awarded or
bestowed merely to reward personal
friends, but held in trust as the dover and
heritage of the party, to be dispensed with
view. first OF improving the condition of
the public service and second, Of harmon
izing and fortifying the Republican party
in all the STAGES.
The administration of our first Indiana
President has opened auspiciOusly. The
Cabinet comprises the strongest and best
elements of the party. The appointments
for our own State thus far have been most
admirable, and the officials chosen from
other States highly creditable. / speak as
as an Indiana Republican. with just pride
In the elevation of her favorite son and his
demeanor in the higher Office.
KANSAS CITY, March. IS. G. /. REED.