Evening journal., 1897-08-04
PERPLExTIEs OF A PREsIpEN.
Constantly Beset by Seekers ATT
Odice.


To large extent the administratio
of president of the United States
judged by the character of the me
whom it selects for public Office. z
soon as a president is inaugurated. h
perplexities begin. lie may have bee
the idol of his party up to that time, bl
his will be an exceptional experience
he does not find friends turning int
critics or even into opponents, becaus
of their disappointment over his nom
nations.
Practically, his first official act is
nominate the eight cabinet officers VIII
are to be his advisers, and each
whom is to be the head of an importar
department of the government servic
Then comes the necessity of selectin
ambassadors and ministers, consuls an
collectors, postmasters and district
torneys, and other officers Of greater
less Importance.
Although most of the minor place
have been brought under the civil ser
ice rules, and are filed through con
petitive examinations, the number q
officers nominated by the president, sui
ject to the confirmation of the senate, g.
still large enough to cause n new pres
dent much anxious thought.
On the one hand, a president is beso
with the opportunities of men wh
want offices for themselves or Others
Perhaps they were active in securing hi
nomination. Or they were chairme
of political committees. Or they wer
generous contributors of campaig
funds. Each of them has some persor
al or party claim 70 consideration, whic
he does not hesitate to press.
On the other hand, president feel
the pressure Of an enlightened publ
sentiment, which demands the sui
ordination of personal and partisan cor
siderations to the public good, an
makes fitness the first requisite in OF,
cial station.
This sentiment is specially stron
with reference to the diplomatic servic'
1t CRATES upon American sensibilitie
to have men appointed to represent tn
United States at foreign nations. Whe
a man is commissioned for foreign SER
ice who does not even know the lai
guage of the country where he.is to r
side; or another man is made minists
at an important capital for no bette
reason than that he has been q hustlin
purity leader in congress, the administr
tion responsible for such appointmen'
suffers in prestige more than it ca
possibly gain by squaring q few poh
ical or personal debts.
However hard a president may tir
it is impossible for him TO satisfy q
demands of politicians. There are m
enough first-class offices to go arouI
among the men who imagine ther
selves entitled to them. Perhaps half
dozen of them ask for the same c
fee, each with strong backing.
e the presidentappoints one, he makes c
emies of the other five and their friend
Ordinary prudence, therefore, TO g;
nothing of higher motives, shou
prompt a president to pay more 3
tention to the public good than TO pc
I sonal clamor. 81
. Public sentiment makes allowan
for errors Of Judgment, and the difiicl
ties of a presidents position. 1t dc
not expect ideal selections everywher
but it win judge an administration
the general character of It's appoiI
! ments, and it is an encouraging sil
that the standald Of the public servi
t is becoming higher rather than lowe
q Youths Companion.