The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-02-24
eRssHAM's APPOINTMENT.
Chicago Republicans on the Peculiar A
lance.


lance.
Among prominent republicans of this
city there is general indisposition to
express opinions for publication about
the appointment of Judge Gresham to
the leadership of the Cleveland cabinet,
although il continues to be the sensa-
ton of the hour. Most of them know
the Judge personally and admire him.
/ Entertaining such feelings for the man.
they do not care to father harsh criti-
cisms in cold type, and as 4 rule what
ever they might have 20 say could be
construed that way. Regret also en-
tiers largely into republican discussion
of the matter-regret tempered with
pity, for on every hand there is feel
ing that while it may be good thing
for Cleveland to have man like Judge
Gresham on his staff. it viii be bad
thing in the end for the appointee.
One of Judge Gresham's personal
friends, and a republican of high
standing, said that the appointment
could only have been accepted with the
full and explicit understanding between
the president-elect and the Judge that
I
preme bench some time during Cleve-
lands term of Office. Judge Gresham is
n poor man. lie has never saved any
thing and has comparatively nothing
in reserve. He would not be fool
enough at his age 70 give mp life posi-
ton worth six thousand dollars year
for four years as secretary OF state, an
Office that pays eight thousand dol
lars. That he will be forced to spend
every cent of that salary goes without
saying. He has without a doubt been
given to understand that he is to go on
the supreme bench. Judges Field and
, Blatchford are both old men. and viii
doubtless step down and out any time
it may suit the convenience of Mr..
Cleveland. Gresham resigned from
the bench to 90 into Arthur'S cabinet
and was put back on the bench in Il
higher place. If he eau get another
judicial promotion via Cleveland's cab
met, why not?''
II suppose he wanted higher Office
than he was holding" said S. w. Al.
lerton. land thought he could get it
easier in the democratic than in the
republican party. Can you suggest any
other good reason? Judge Gresham's
views were not sound when he was
running for the republican presidential
nomination four years ago, and he
probably feels better to get with the
democrats. Politics makes strange
bed-fellows, though"
On the theory that Cleveland intends
reforming party lines the wisdom of
his course is generally commended. On
that point leading local politician
varied the common view in the state
ment that ''if Cleveland intends to ere
ate a new and distinct party to occupy
the great middle ground between the
radical wings of the two old organiza-
lions, a party designed to represent
progressive ideas, and. possibly, a
broader view of things political than
can be attained any other way, then
his appointment of Gresham is mas
ter stroke. That Cleveland has some
such purpose ! have no doubt, and
the deal he has made will be notice
to the mossbackS of the democratic
party that they will not be
y
Judge Gresham's appointment may
draw the new populist party
closer to Cleveland, and 1 think
it will cement the allegiance of the
mugwumps and new recruits to him.
don't see how the old line democrats
cap stand it, but | see the mostof them
say they enjoy it. The effe ct upon tn
republicans can hardly fail TO be bad.
If one man, by writing a private
letter TO friend on the eve of an cleo
ton announcing his abandonment of
all party ties and his purpose to vote
for the nominee of a party he had
fought for forty years, can get the
highest Office at the bestowal of the
victor. the tens of thousands of patri-
OTIS who are after five-hundred-dollar
post offices will reason that they can
get what they want by pursuing a sim
liar course. Where party disloy atty on
the part of an important parsonage is
cOnspicuously recognized, a demoraliz-
ing precedent is established. How
ever, if the democrats have to go into
the republican party for oficeholders,
we are the patriots who will supply the
material and have some left for emery
ency require
by helping Cleveland establish a
new party Judge Gresham unquestion-
ably hopes to become the Fat Proph-
cts heir" said another, ''but he is not
going in upon any uncertainty. If
things do not shape up right three
years hence Gresham will go on the
supreme bench. If the new party
movement gets to running strong by
that time Gresham will go to the front
as Cieveland's representative. This
Will be rough on Whitney. German and
the other statesmen who are quoted as
having advised the selection of
Gresham, and each of whom has the
presidential bee buzzing in his bonnet,
but they are all younger men than the
Judge. and can afford to wait Chi
L