The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-27

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A SILLY CONTENTION.
That thick-and-thin old Democratic
newspaper, the Louisville, KY, Courier
Journal, has correspondent at the national
capital, who, in late letter said: Hon.
James G. Blaine Is not the man to hold
Office and conspire or allow conspiracy
to be formed against his chief. Mr.. Blaine
is brave, open fighter. and does not stab
his friends in the dark. Had he intended
to be candidate for President he
would have resigned six months ago."
This was by way of comment upon re-
ported votes among Republicans in certain
state legislatures, and postal card cam
vases of their patrons by certain news
papers. all OF which were highly favorable
to Blaine.
This correspondent proceeds upon more
than one theory at variance with fact.
One, which seems to have firm lodge
ment in the minds Of Washington City
politicians, is that the selection Of presi-
Dental candidates is made in or largely in
finenced from that city. Another is that
acceptance of q cabinet Office operates as
waiver of other ambition during incum-
bency, a state Of subsection and implied
obligation to support the chief executive
for denomination. Another is that friends
and admirers of cabinet officers are also
bound by these considerations, and must
forego their preferences if these attach to
the subordinate rather than to the chief.
Not one Of these theories will bear
scrutiny. Little, if any, additional weight
is given to an opinion or a preference be-
cause it originates in Washington City. On
the contrary, if it were generally accepted
that congressman and the federal official
classes had assumed to boom one par
ticular candidate to the exclusion of all
others, 1t would work serious detriment
to that candidate, and would probably
defeat him.
Again, cabinet officers fulfill important
and necessary functions in the national
government. AS rule they are chosen
from the ranks of men who. previous to
the election, have been not less eminent
than the president himself. Very seldom,
particularly of late years, has there been
cabinet in which there was not at least one
member who had been prominent and
popular candidate for the presidential
nomination. In many instances these
positions have been accepted solely at the
promptings of patriotism or devotion to
party, and at serious personal sacrifice.
Often the acceptance has been favor to
the administration and to the country
rather than the acceptor.
4 Any tyro in the political history of our
country must be aware that the roll Of
| cabinet officers in this country presents
galaxy of names that will lose nothing
by comparison with the roll of our presi-
dents, many of whose names it would in
| Guide. Alexander Hamilton, Timothy Pick
ering, Edmund Randolph, John Marshall,
Oliver Wolcott, Albert Gallatin. William
Writ. Levi Woodbury., Henry Clay, Daniel
| Webster, John c. Calhoun. Robert J..
! Walker, Edward Everett and George Ban
| croft. though they never reached the presi-
deucy, will rot suffer by comparison as to
| ability and eminence with most of those
who did reach the higher office.
4
accepting cabinet positions, in any degree
| relinquished their individuality or their
| aspirations or assumed role of sub
/ serviency. With the earlier administra-
| tons, down to the ninth, the Secretary
| ship of State was regularly the stepping
stone to the presidency, except that Wash
ingtons Secretary of State (Jefferson)
waited until the Vice President John
| Adams) had filled one term. But Jeffer-
son. Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adj
ans, Martin Van Buren,, with later James
Buchanan TO make up for the exception
| which jackson made, all reached the pres.
idency by way Of the Secretaryship OF
State, and Clay, Calhoun and Webster
from that position became candidates for
President.
1t is silly to contend that Blaine's posi-.
ton in the cabinet debars his admirers
from advocating his nomination for Presi.
dent. II is silly to contend or hint that
such inclination has any OF the elements
of conspiracy" either against Presl.
dent Harrison or any other aspirant II
is not to be believed that the Presiden,
would countenance any such contention
II is not TO be believed that either of these
gentlemen would contend or admit other
wise than that the consideration and deci
sion OF this matter rests alone with the
Republican masses, and that within the
Republican ranks there are no limitation:
on their right of selection.
Ii is a great Misrepresentation, smacking
strongly Of nlonarchical notions, TO claim
that any obligation or any rule of propri
ETY. requires the resignation Of a cabi
net officer in order that the people
may consider his fitness and avail
ability for the presidential nomina
ton, and the interests of the party ant
the country in relation thereto. 1t would
be an insult TO this or any other Presiden
to accept the idea that the proffer of ,
cabinet position to prominent member o
his party should be regarded as an ex
.inguisher for the time being of that per
sons aspirations in any direction.
IL - v.1ra II ~ IN.