Evening journal., 1897-03-09
THE PAST AND PRESENT.


THE PAST AND PRESENT.
The Every Evening has an editorial
mind that is either woefully forgetful
or two-sided to a degree that Is almost
criminal. II seemingly forgets that
there is such a thing as a newspaper
file, and in its present comments upon
men and measures, has no regard what
ever for It's past editorial declarations.
When Governor Reynolds, on May 3,
1892 announced the appointment Of
Hon. James l.. Wolcott to succeed Hon.
willard Salisbury as chancellor OF the
State OF Delaware, the Every Evenings
semi-local reference regarding his fit
ness for the place was as follows:
Mr.. Wolcott is an able lawyer, OF ex-
tenslve legal experience, and 1t is con-
ceded that he will make an acceptable
successor to the able and distinguished
men who have in turn filed the office
OF chancellor Of the State of Delaware.
On the day following. its editorial
commentary upon the appointment was
as follows:
The appointment will. we think, be
received as in the main, a good one.
Mr.. Wolcott Is a lawyer of established
reputation, In the very prime of vigor-
Gus manhood, endowed with good judg-
ment a perceptive. receptive and ana
lytical mind and plenty OF the pluck
which carried him so quickly from the
position Of farm boy to a front place
at the bar of his county and in the poll
tics OF his state. He has been strong
party man-one OF his energy, his sur
roundings and his aptitude for leader
ship could hardly be anything else in
the atmosphere OF Dover-and It is
very probable that, like other young
and ambitious politicians. he has some
times resorted to sharp practice to cir
cumvent a willy foe-but we do not be-
lieve that Chancellor Wolcott will be
any the less conscientiously the impair
tial lurist because of the political train
ing which he has gone through. Per-
sonally Mr.. Wolcott has always been
man Of good habits, temperate, stu
dious, clear-headed, and deservedly
popular among his fellow-townsmen
We see no reason why he should not
achieve and long maintain an honored
place among the Delawareans who have
been called to the bench.
On November 6, 1895. when formal
announcement Of the resignation OF
Chancellor Wolcott was made. the
Every Evening paid him the following
tribute:
During the three years that Mr..
Wolcott has filled the highest judicial
office of the state. he has won a repu-
tation among brethren Of the bar for
sound learning and great legal acumen.
Unquestionably he Is well-equipped for
fha r1uUn 10 Iaasraa Ill l.
ord OF three years OF efficient judicial
service
On February "a, 1897. the Every
Evening contained the following editor
ial in reference to the ex-chancellor's
nomination for the United States Judge
ship:
We're Mr.. Wolcott a man of COM
handing ability and influence. with a
reputation for calm impartiality and
freedom from the bias of partisan poll
tics, he might stand some chance of
running the gauntlet OF a politically
hostile Senate. But Il is no Injustice
to him to say that he is not that kind
Of a man. On the contrary. he has
been, and still u.s. a partisan in political
matters, and therefore can hope for no
kindly consideration at the hands Of his
political opponents in the Senate"
IL is not necessary to comment upon
such editorial double-dealing. Any per-
son who is capable OF reading plain
English can draw no other conclusion
than that there is no stability or hon.
esty in any editorial opinion which tn,
Every Evening may express about any
public man or public measure. It is Z
journalistic time-server of the mos
shameless description, and Mr.. Wolcot
is but one OF many to find that Il Is
fair friend in fair weather, and a falls
one at all other times
BY this we do not infer that tn,
Every Evenings opposition to Mr.
Wolcott had anything to do with tn,
failure of the United States Senate I,
confirm him as district judge, for tn
simple reason that not more than tw,
members OF that body are readers O
that paper. and not more than three O
four know that there is such a paper II
existence. Whatever influence its ly
ing. hypOcritical utterances may have
must necessarily be confined to limit
ed section of our own state