The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-28
In the Careful Exercise Of Appointive Power
He Has Been More Fortunate than Any of
His Predecessors in Twenty Tears
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, Has a Unique
Way of SilenciDg Surplus Carpen
Honest Efforts Of the Administration to Llqui-
date the Legacy Of Democratic Debts
New Phase Of the Pension Question.
Many Pitfalls Around Which Mr.. Harris
Has Successfully Steered


Many Pitfalls Around which Mr.. Harrison
Has Successfully steered.
Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Sept. 27.-In politics and
craftsmanship there probably has never
been q better illustration of the old saw
that everything comes to him who waits
than is found in President Harrson's ad-
ministration. No man has ever given en-
administration of the affairs Of the federal
government which has grown more steadily
or more surely. President Harrison has
been acquitted of every enemy's charge
simply by the process of time. Whenever
q complaint has been made Of anything
done or undone. he has by his action said
he would appeal to time for . better judg-
ment. 1t was Lincoln who said that un-
selfish and pure actions did not always
carry vindication or Endorsement; that
when President refused to recognize
clamor he must wait for the full force OF
his judgment: that 1t would take time.
Beyond doubt President Harrison has
been more fortunate than any of his prede-
cessors during the past quarter Of q century
in the exercise of the appointive power.
while at the same time he has had. or will
have. by far greater number of appoint
ments to make than any Of his prsde-
cessors. Not o single appointee of any note
has under this administration proven o
mistake by reason of fraud. Honest, as
well as capable. men have been selected.
At the same time better class of repre-
sentative Republicans have been chosen
where partisans were demanded for POSI-
tions. General Harrison has proven him
hnman
His Jud sment has never failed him In dis
eliminating between classes. either. There
was an illustration of this fact at the
White House last week. A gentleman from
claims for appointment on the Interstate
commerce Commission. Among other
things he said he was practical railroad
man; that he had been associated promi-
nently with active railroad management
for years, and be should be chosen as @ rep
resentative of the railroad people.
The President listened attentively and
asked If the applicant wanted the appoint
ment in the name of railroad representa-
tives. The reply was affirmative. "Well,n
said the President. good-naturedly. don't
you think that other classes could with the
same grace come and demand other places
as representatives Of special ipterestsp
The man said be presumed they could and
would. And" added the President. I'VE
would soon have all our places filled with
men from the classes, and those Who were
not so fortunate as to be representative
of q class of business would be out"
The applicant had not thought of it in
that light. He conld see how It would not
do to begin appointments simply on the
recommendation of being O class repre-
sentative. Then the President had in mind
the comment that could justly be made if
he selected one who had for years been
prominently identified with railroad inter-
ests to represent the people on railroad
commission-to fill place which was TO be
tlanH <.fa ads 20 x@Aa&
pressing just interest nor favoring an un.
just one. What would those with com-
plants against a railroad think of having
to be heard By one who was selected be-
cause he was the advocate of that roads
interests?
President Harrison has ever had that
nicely of distinction, that power of pene-
tratlng an intricate complication, which
has kept him off the rocks and shoals OF
of that character which makes III appear
better and better with age. Another
thing: it has not been necessary to point
out the strong features of the administra-
| ton. for they have been so plain that they
are recognized by enemies, as well as by
| friends
Last week 10 was stated inadvertently
that q bit of newspaper gossip had ema-
| mated from one who was 'rec0guized as q
/ manager of the President in the North
| west" the intention of the writer Of the
sentence being to show that the one who
| had spoken il was one in whom credence
| could be placed. There has been consider
| able comment in political circles upon the
insinnation that the phrase conveyed. IL
| there has been one feature of President
| Harrlson's administration which stood
| out more plainly than another it 10 that
| which is most prominent now-the fact
| that there have never been any ''man-
ayers" Representatives," agents" OF per-
sons speaking upon authority" IL the
contrary had been true. or was true at this
| time, the administration would not have
been for the country, but for man or
| party. While Republicanism has ever been
| strong feature-the strongest in every
| particular, no doubt-there has been t0ler-
| ance for those who oppose the dominant
party. 1t has not been administrat ton
| OF oppression. 1t has been rather one o. a
Republican basis. administered with Jas
| tice and a desire for the general welfare.
| The aim has been TO make action prove
wise and conservative with time 1t has
4 been frequently said that President Har-
| risoD has done so little for himself that be
| conid not hope to be his own successor. One
| thing is evident to every body who has
watched the course OF the President: ne
will be judged by his public acts and not
| made by intrigue. p. s. IL.
| CONVERTING A SINNER.