The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-13
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with die resignation Secretary OF
State Day, which win Be shortly ten-
dered, the cabinet viii be deprived OF a
member Who has won the respect Of the
entire country. This 70 the testimony
Of the leading men and che press Of the
country. It Is well known in Washing
ton that the secretary has the respect,
not only OF his associates, but of the
diplomatic corps A washington spec
iaI in the Pittsburs Dispatch quotes for
elgn representatives as saying that Mr..
Day IS one OF the ablest secretaries of
state that this government ever had.
The statement is made that the foreign
ers in Washington fear and admire him.
''Hs IS direct of epeech, careful in every
thing that he does, and a hard man-to
deceive"
But the reason which Sir. Day gives
out for tis retirement from the high
position which he has honored Is one
which should call the attention Of the
public very forcibly to one Of the Chief
causes which mas led to some complaint
among the people. II should not be pos
sible that an American statesman, COM
potent to III 90 high 4 position, and
whom the country is deli hted to honor,
should be compelled to cay as Secretary
Day has said:
81 cannot AFFORD to retain this position,
am NOT rich man, and the social re-
sponsibllltles that go with the place are
more than I can assume. Foreign um-
bassadors and diplomatSextendc Ourte-
sIes to me as secretary Of state that I
naturally feel called upon to reciprocate,
and NO man of moderate, means can re-
turn the courtesles in alproper manner
and live on the salary sttached to the
Office"
This is only too true. 1t is a fact that
is strangely inconsistent filth the great
ness ana the wealth Of this country.
that member Of the presidential cabl-
net, who. by reason of his position, Is
compelled, for the crediEand dignity of
the country to entertain the represent
tatives of foreign powerR 10 obliged to
retire because he Is not a man OF wealth.
The case of Secretary Day is a striking
example of this fact, Which ought not
to be.
The salary of the secretary of state.
who must be a man eminentiy qualified
for the position, and whose living under
such circumstances is enormously ex-
penslve, is but 5000 peT,year. No poor
man causustaIn the dignity Of a position
imposlng such obllgatioRs. Mr. Day, at
a very time when he is gaining warm
place in the hearts Of the people. and the
respect of foreign diplomats, finds him
self unequal to this task. Other mem
bcrs of the cabinet have pretty much
the same experience.
The IntelHgencsr Is not advocating
enormous salaries for public officials
where they are unnecessary It would
seem, however, that In view OF the obi
Cations which devOlve upon cabinet OH
csrs-those of the character referred to
above, that some provisions in accord
anee with the greatness.and the dignity
Of the government of the United States,
should be provided by Congress to meet
such cases as the ones which is now
brought to public noted Mr.. Day, It is
understood. win head the peace commits
sion to be named by President AicKin-
ley, after which he wiillretlre to private
life. History will do his administration
Of the state department full justice, as
those who have been brought in costact
with him are now doing.