Evening journal., 1897-07-09
pgRpLExITlEs Of A PRESIDENT


Constantly Reset by Seekers After
Omce.
To a large extent the administration
Of a president of the United States is
judged by the character Of the men
whom it selects for public Office. As
soon as q president is inauguratcd, his
perplcxities begin. lie may have been
The idol Of his party UP to that time, but
his will be an exceptional experience if
nc does not find friends turning into
critics or even into opponents, because
Of their disappointment over his nomi-
nations.
Practically. his first official act is to
nominate the eight cabinet officers who
are to be his advisers. ard each OF
whom is to be the head Of an important
department Of the government service.
Then comes The necessity Of selecting
ambassadors and ministers, consuls and
collectors. postmasters and district at
torneys, and other officers of greater or
less Importance.
Although most of the minor places
have been brought under the civil seFv-
ice rules, and are filed through COM
petitive examinations, the number of
officers nominated by the president, sub
iect to the confirmation of the senate, is
still large enough to cause new presi-
dent much anxious thought.
On the one hand, president is beset
with the opportunities of men who
want offices for themselves or others
Perhaps they were active in securing his
nomination. Or they were chairmen
Of political committees. Or they were
generous contributors Of campaign
funds. Each of them has some person
al or party claim to consideration, which
he does not hesitate to press.
On the other hand, a president feels
the pressure Of an enlightened public
sentiment, which demands the sub
ordination of personal and partisan con-
sidentions to the public good, and
makes fitness the first requisite in Off
cial station.
This sentiment is specially strong
! with reference to the diplomatic service.
IL CRATES upon American sensiblities
to have men appointed to represent che
United States at foreign rations. When
man is commissioned for foreign serv-
D.. ice who does not even know the Ian
euage of the country where he is to re-
sde or another man is made minister
= at an important capital for no better
reason than that he has been n hustling
party leader in congress, the administra
+. tion responsible for such appointments
2 suffers in prestige more than it car
possibly gain by squaring a few poit
ical or personal debts
However hard % president may tgy
/, it is impossible for him TO satisfy til,
e demands Of politicians There are no
c enough frst-class offices 10 so aroun.
a cmong the men who imagine them
! selves entitled to them. Perhaps half
dozen Of them ask for the same of
free, each with a strong backing.
thepresidentappoints one, be makes en-
emies Of the other five and their friends
= Ordinary prudence, therefore, TO sa,
y nothing Of higher motives, shoul,
/. prompt a president TO pay more AZ
tcntion to the public good than to per
e. sonal clamor
Public sentiment makes allowanc
for errors Of Judgment and the diflcu
If ties Of a Presidents position. 1t doe
e not expect ideal selections everywhere
but it viii judge an administration b.
the general character of its appoint
ments, and it is an encouraging sig
that the standard of the public servic
r.. is becoming higher rather than lower
II Youths Companion.