The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-09-07
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER I. 1898.
THIS paper is Democratic in principles and is
Independent in its rie,rs on oil local questions.
Senator Mcpherson and Federal
PatroEa &c.

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Senator Mcpherson and Federal
PatroEa &C.
The place hunter appears to have q
queer idea of the functions of a
United States Senator. The patriot,
who is eager to serve his country at a
good salary, can see no duty in life for
the Senators from this State except to
earwig Cabinet officers and bureau
chiefs in the furtherance of his (the
patriot's) interests. Just now the
regular annual onslaught is being
made on Senator Mcpherson, because
the patriots are not placed fast enough
to suit them. The number of would
bes in this State bears a healthy rela-
ton TO the size of the Democratic ma
jority, and the number OF them who
have got any consolation as vet is
anything but large. So they are weep
ing and wailing and crashing their
teeth, and some of them are making
disagreeable remarks about the senior
Senator.
Among other favorite complaints is
the charge that Mr.. Mcpherson is
helping nobody this year. because he
is afraid OF mourning the enmity of
several disappointees to counterbal-
ance the support of everyone whose
gratitude he earns. This ingenious idea,
OF course, grows out of the fact that
~
the Senator's term is near its expira-
ton. and he will be a candidate-not
without opposition-to succeed him.
self. 1t never seems to occur to the
kickers that MI. Mcpherson had bet
ter make enemies Of some of the office
seekers than make friends of none,
and that he can hardly make many
friends unless he helps some of the
candidates. The disgruntled fail to
give the Senator credit for shrewdness
enough to appreciate this view of the
situation. That is where they err.
The Senator can size up and pass
judgment on more elements in a pc
litical situation than they can even
think OF.
Perhaps, if the anxious walters let
their talk more than their
greed, they would be able to un-
derstand the Senator's position bet
ter. They might get some glimmer
through their brains OF the light In
which Senator Mcpherson views his
duties. They might dimly perceive
that he attached more Importance to
the work of legislation than to the
dispensing of government pap. The
Senator will doubtless take a leading
part it the debate on the silver ques-
tion, and it is well known to be his
habit to devote much time and pains
to the. study of all questions upon
which he speaks. The Senator is a
member of the Finance Committee of
the Senate, and chairman and mem
Der of other important committees.
His time is absorbed with questions
of moment to his country, and while
Congress is in session he should not
be expected to devote much attention
to anything outside its work.
Doubtless the illness of the Presi-
dent and his absence from Washing
ton have retarded the distribution of
patronage, too. Some of the Repub-
lican papers hint that the President
thinks it unnecessaryto bestow many
offices in this State, regarding it as
Democratic under all circumstances.
We do not think the President takes
any such view of the distribution of
patronage as is involved in this state
ment. AS for the State not getting its
due. we regard this suggestion as sheer
nonsense. At the right time, Senator
Mcpherson will attend to all that. and
when the offices are given out lie will
also see that they are awarded where
they will do most good to the public
service first, and then to the Demo-
cratic party.
The present kicking is merely the
result of inconsiderate s~elfishness. At
the right time the cake will be cut,
and the best men will get the biggest
slices.
If the Mayor wants to redouble his
popularity, he should at once proceed
to fire out the five members of the