The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-16
HOW MIR. BYNUM STRUCK 4 sNAG.

Ex-Congressman Bynum-it is very
gratifying to be able to use the prefix
in this case-has struck a hidden snag
in his effort to capture place on the
Mississippi River Commission, and hid
den snags are very dangerous in politics
as well as in river navigation. Mr.. By
mum set QUITO capture this place on
the theory that it was sinecure, a
soft snap and just the sort of plum
for Democratic statesman out of job.
His theory was that under Democratic
administration the Mississippi river
should be improved on Democratic lines
and while he did not know anything
about river Improvement he knew a
good deal about Democratic politics and
had learned by years of experience to
draw an official salary in very salts
factory manner. OF course he thought
there would be no question of his ap-
pointment, because one member of the
commission as now constituted, Hon. r.
s. Taylor, of Fort Wayne, is a Repub-
ican, and Democratic President could
not fail to see the improperly of hav-
ing the waters of the Mississippi polluted
with Republican politics during a Demo-
cratic administration.
Probably Mr.. Bynum would have sue
ceeeled in his undertaking if he had not
struck the hidden snag aforesaid Mr.
Cleveland believes in using public pat
ronage to reward his personal and po-
litical friends, and, as politics so, Mr..
Bynum had earned some recognition
Besides, having been repudiated by his
late constituents. he had special claims
OF course it never occurred to him, and
probably it would never have occurred to
Mr.. Cleveland, that the people of Louis
lana and Mississippi, a large majority
of whom are Democrats, would not be
delighted at the prospect of having an
Indiana Democrat on the commission in
stead OF an Indiana Republican. But
right there was where he struck the
.hidden snag. The people of the States
interested in the Improvement of the
Mississippi, notably those OF the two
States above named, instead of rallying
to Mr. Bynum's support and demand
ing his appointment have rallied in
force to protest against it. Instead of
holding mass meetings and demanding
the removal of Mr.. TAYLOR and the APP
pointment of Mr.. Bynun they are food
/ ing their Representatives and Senators
who are still in Washington with pro-
tests against the change They want
the Mississippi river improvement to
continue on scientific and business lines.
and because Mr.. Taylor has been a use
full member of the commission, has had
several years experience and is thorough
~ familiar with the work they do not
want him removed to make place for
Democratic statesman out of job.
These people are right. The improve
ment of the Mississippi river is work
of great Importance and positions in
connection with it should not be tossed
about as rewards for defeated Congress
men. When Napoleon sold to the United
States the delta at the mouth Of the
great river he declared that he had
thus given to England maritime rival
who would yet make her tremble for her
supremacy on the seas. The government
has never fully appreciated the neces-
sity and Importance of improving the
navigation of the river but it is grad
ually growing up to it. The commission
which MIR Bynum is trying to break into
was created by an act of Congress
passed in 1879, and during the last
fifteen years il has done an immense
amount of effective work i'm the way
of deepening the channel of the river,
protecting its banks improving its navi-
cation and preventing destructive foods
Congress- has been liberal in its appro-
priations for tie work, and the money
has been Judicipusly and effectively APP
piled. The work has been prosecuted