Evening star., 1897-04-19
ABSENTEE LEADERSHIP
The President Refusing to Recognize It in
Distributing Patronage.
The Mississippi Case Pointed to m nm
Example-Similar State of
Things In Ohio '@"7 -;s

The Presidents highly meritorious stand
on the subject of home rule for the terri
tories Is matched, 1T is said, by a stand of
equal firmness on another. matter of a
somewhat similar nature.
In several of the southern states warm
1actlonal contests have arisen over federal
patronage. and In more than one case out
side influence has been invoked by the war
ring local leaders. This, however, as the
story goes. has been discouraged, and the
local leaders have been informed that they
must settle their own differences. In the
Mississippi case, In particular, the Presi-
dent Is thought to have thrown out a
pretty broad hint as to his general policy.
There are two republican factions in Mis-
sissippf-one under the leadership of James
Hill, and the other under the leadership of
John r. Lynch and ex-senator Bruce Hill
Is not SO eminent as are his two rivals but
is more closely identified with the politics
of his state. He has always resided in Mis-
sissippi. Both MI Lynch and Mr.. Bruce.
while property holders in the state, have.
by reason of holding federal office. been a
good deal absent from the state Mr.
Bruce, In fact, has for some years made
washington his home.
Mr.. Hill Was ON the Ground.
1t SO happened, therefore, that when Mr.
Hanna was canvassing the south for dele
gates for Mr.. Mckinley last year. he found
Mr.. Hill of service in Mississippi Mr.. Hill
was on the scene, in daily touch with the
party organization. and, so far as Mr..
Hanna could see, was the recognized leader
OF the party there. He supported Mr.. Nc
kinley for the nomination, and thereby
made himself favorably known to Mr.. Nc
kiniey's friends. II Is for this reason, 1t Is
said that Mr.. Hill has so far had the call
in whatever patronage has been given to
haU ho1r on{x
ed. to the exclusion of the members of the
Lynch-Bruce faction.
Absentee Lendcrship.
This stand against what is called cab
sentee leadership Is applauded by the
Presidents friends, and is thought to have
bearing outside of Mississippi. Not un-
likely, IL is suggested, the President is also
aiming at affairs in his own state, where
the democratic leadership for some years
has been in the hands OF men living out
side Of the state. While Mr.. Bfice< was
leader and In the Senate. he spent more of
his time in New York than In Ohio. and
Mr.. Mclean. who has succeeded him as
leader, resides in this town. He has large
property interests in Ohio, but he manages
them through others who reside on the
ground
Mr.. McLean's Residence.
Mr.. Mclean. 1t is GENERALLY believed, is
a candidate for . seat In the Senate. He
will oppose Mr.. Hanna He In q strong
man. The legislature which Is to elect will
be chosen next fall. Mr.. Hanna realizes
II Is said. that there is some brisk cam
paigning ahead. and his friends are already
alive and about. One Of the points to be
urged against Mr. Mclean Is that he is not
resident of Ohio. The republicans will
insist that the state should be represented
in the Senate by a man who, resides within
its borders, and is therefore thoroughly
identified with the commonwealth in every
particular. Their argument Is that ''ab-
sentee leadership" in the United States is
not in accord with the spirit Of the gov
ernment. and should be defeated whenever
opportunity offers. And the President
starts the ball rolling by defeating 1t in
Mississippi s;si