The herald., 1893-02-10

ated may be my notion OF my ability, l
am not so wrapt up in myself as to be-
lieve all that my friends say about me.
fear, nay, am positive, that there are
disappojntments to come. To begin
with, if l possessed much more
mental power than Is properly
chargeable to me, could not
Immediately accomplish great deal
in position surrounded by EN- barrass-
ments only to be removed by time. 1t
is popularly supposed that senator can
influence federal appointments. 1t is
fortunate that the incoming president
is man of such high character and dis
elimination that he is not compelled to
lrely upon senators or congressman ex-
| cluHively, and that he will not for any
J body or on any consideration, sacrifice
his Judgment or do that which his con-
science tells him is not right. Never
| theless, it Is no doubt true that the con-
1 gressional representatives of the party
| in power are consulted in many
instances and must bear good
deal of the responsibility of local ap-
pointments. 1t is natural and in every
respect proper that gentlemen who have
rendered service to their party and who
possess the requisite ability, should ask
for such favors as that party may
have to give; and it is obvious
that there must be many per-
sons possessing the necessary attain
ments seeking particular places. In
deed, it is q matter calling for the closest
investigation many times to determine
who shall be appointed to this or that
place. Presumably these applicants are
| all friendly to the appointing power,
81 trrtn 1N,rI hat
friendship will remain, regardless of the
failure of the applicant. Nevertheless,
| it is disagreeable to be compelled thus
to discriminate, and thus maybe to lead
some friend to suppose that his services
and efforts have not been fully appreci-
ated. Experience shows that the decis-
ion following upon heated contests for
place do not leave satisfaction in all
! quarters, and have no doubt that the
present delegation from California will
find it difficult to persuade the many
estimable gentlemen who will not be
appointed that their requests were
| wisely denied. Yet the officer who
assumes to do his duty must be pre-
pared for these disagreeable occurrences.
The best that he can do will not meet
universal commendation, but he can
and should act according to his best
| judgment, remembering that it is his
duty to advocate the cause of no one
who is not capable and honest, and that
| if he keeps within these lines he can
also we'll afford to remember those who
have been his friends. ] cannot expect
that my judgment will be faultless.
Many errors will no doubt be made. A
judge of high court told me upon one
occasion that he supposed that 10 per
cent of the cases adjudicated by that
tribunal were wrongly decided, and l
shall be indeed fortunate if l am right
in 90 per cent of my decisions upon ap-
plications for place. To err is human,
to forgive divine. And while making
errors trust that my friends who suffer
will grant that pardon which is more
than mortals can ordinarily bestow.
Rejecting uponethe causes that led to
my present success, cannot but recog-
nize that am under go many obliga-
tions, first, of course, to my party for it's
tlattering and almost unanimous sup
port; then to the members of other or
ganizations who directly or indirectly
contributed to my advancement--that |
am indeed representative of the people.
A feeble attempt was made to introduce
sectional features into the campaign,
Dub tne euofJ was miserable failure.
My experience sufiices to demonstrate
that California is united common
wealth, and that the interests of the
whole state are the interests of every
section. Those who aided me were
found in all localities. The great city Of
San Francisco gave me practically
solid delegation. The San Joaquin val
ley, the bay counties, the northern por-
tion of our state, all marched under the
same banner. The country press was
we'll nigh united in my advocacy. Lit
orally from Siskiyou to San Diego did
the generous editor praise and defend
me. If these things did not make me
proud 1 would be greater, or perhaps
more properly, less than | am. What
am expected to do? More, doubtless,
than can accomplish. / am not nm
mindful of the great responsibilities OF
| the Office to which have been chosen.
7 am not vain enough to think for
| moment that / can do more than pre-
serve respectable position among the
able men who sit IN the senate chamber