Evening journal., 1889-09-16
NEWSPAPER OPINION.
President Harrison aud His Party.

ANHA1thA AtAAAAnAh anu AAH AAAtJH
New York Herrld.
Everybody who reads the Herald knows
that we never criticise a public official
because he is Republican or favor him
because he is a Democrat When Mr..
Harrison took the oath OF office we gave
him our hearty good wishes, and were
among the very first to do so We
worked against his election with might
and main, for we distrusted the high
tariff policy he was pledged to enforce,
and felt that IL would bring commercial
sorrow to this country. But he was the
choice Of the people by fair vote and
an honest count, and our theory is that
the man who does not accept the deci.
sion of the people in good -natured way
Is either a crank or a knave. The Her.
aid therefore laid down its opposition the
moment the case was decided and has
kept its promise TO assist the admins
tration in every measure which can be
regarded as beneficial to the interests Of
the nation.
Il is our right, however to look a man
and policy squarely in the face and tell
what we think Of them very frankly
and without measuring our words for
politeness sake. We are apt to be blunt .
ii is our characteristics We lack rever
ence, without doubt, for earthly poten-
tates, and would just as lief dissect a
President as cut up a New York alder
man Our criticism Of Mr.. Harrison is
that he is too much Of apolitician He is
trying to build up party at the expense
Of the country. We are told that the
point which bullet will hit can be de.
termined by the direction it takes in the
FIRST five feet from the muzzle Of the
rife We can also tell the result Of
political policy FIVE months after its en-
forcement has been begun.
Take this Tanner case as an illustration.
That man is national insult. His official
action would be roaring farce if it did
not entail such serious consequences He
hasn't the mental breadth OF lucifer
match, and can't see anything on this
l broad continent except the reckless ex-
penditure of money. No man ever
dragged the sacred cause Of patriotism in
/ the dust or trampled on the honor of the
/ flag as he has done He has converted
the amy of noble volunteers into a
horde Of hirelings, and thrown shadow
over every battle field which has made
the last pages OF our history glorious.
The willing tool Of pension agents, who
have enriched themselves ont of his folly
he has slRndered the fair fame Of every
soldier that ever marched at the tap OF
/ the drum. Why was he chOsen--a man
supremely unfit for his position without
any record that could give promise Of the
faithful administration of an important
Department. Because Of politics To
win the votes of veterans for the party TO
which Mr.. Harrison belongs and with the
hope that 1t would make his renomina-
ton more easy.
And now that Tanner has become an
intolerable nuisance and the common
sense Of the country has repudiated him
as a fool why does Mr.. Harrison let him
down easy by providing for him fat
Office where he will be less conspicuous
and do less harm2 II Tanner were clerk
in Mr. Harrisons law Office and should
run riot with the funds Of the firm, what
would happenG He would be shown the
door, and If he didn't start at once he
would be fred through the window. Why
doesn't the same thing happen now
Because Of politics-party politics. The
country IS nothing party politics is every
thing, Or take the situation In Virginia
The Republican campaign in that state Ii
being conducted on principles In contrast
with the high moral ideas which the party
claims. As an example Of the most cor
rupt elements in the politics Of the day
it is pre- eminent At the head Of it is !
man, Malone, noted only for his tricker,
; and his readiness to sell himself to an,
faction that will pay his price. The NOR,
honorable men in his own party hav,
thrown him over. he represents nothin.
except the finesse ola desperate politics
5 brigand.
But he has the President behind him
! together with the advice Of the shrewdes
, and most unprincipled leaders amonl
Northern Republicans If he want
money to buy votes he can have it. an
4 the Presidents party will furnish it an
( the President himself will wink at il
s Why is all this2 Is it for the good Of tn
) country Oh, no; but it will strengths
the Republican party inits next fight an
!. give Harrison, it is hoped, renomina
I tion. Corruption in Virginia, wholesal
! and open, is the means Of civ
d ing the Republicans turtle
f hold on the perquisites and emolument
! Of office in Washington. These are nc
solitary instances; the list might be IL
e definitely extended. The question at tn
}. bottom Of it all is an important one.