Evening journal., 1898-08-25
FAST AMID PRESFNrr

Does the Morning News consider its
editorial utterances binding from one
day to the next? If 1t does, 1t is GER
tainly according State Chairman Hugh
G. Browne, the newly-appointed post
master Of Wilmington, mean and con-
temptibie treatment. We know that II
wanted the president to appoint Wash
ington Hastings and that the presi-
dent ignored its wishes If he ever
knew them. But this is no excuse for
such editorial utterances as those
which 1t has made since Washington
Hastings was slde-traclzed and Mr..
Browne appointed.
Let us go back little way and see
what estimate the Morning News
placed upon Mr.. Browne. In July, 1896,
after Washington Hastings had led the
bolt from the Dover convention, and
the Georgetown convention had nomi-
mated Hon. John G. Higgins
for governor and Robert G.
Houston for congressman, and
incidentally, made Hugh G. Browne
chairman Of the State Committee, the
Morning News printed the following
editorial, single-leaded and double
loaded to give it additional prom
nence:
The selection of Mr.. Hugh c. Browne
as chairman of the Republican State
y ttfht al
on Thursday, is a recognition of faith
ful and intelligent service in the past.
For four years Mr.. Browne has been
secretary of the committee, during
which time he became thoroughly IA
miliar with the labor which devolves
upon such an organization. He has
fully demonstrated his capacity for the
responsible task which has now been
placed upon him. Mr.. Browne Is a
young man, but he has a keen concep-
tion Of the earnest serious work to be
done. He is a Republican and as such
has the best interests of his party at
heart. AS the assistant of General
Wilson, the retiring chairman, Mr..
Brown, became thoroughly familiar
with the work to be done. He may be
expected to conduct the affairs of the
campaign with wisdom and discretion
ole is entitled to the hearty support Oh
the Republicans Of the state.
Then, why this change? Is Mr..
Browne a degenerate? Is the faithful
and intelligent service in the past
blotted out? HAS the man who "has
fully demonstrated his capacity for the
responsible task placed upon him" lost
all such capacity. What has become OF
his keen perception?" When did hs
cease to have the best interests oi
the party at hearth" when did he be
come stranger to that wisdom ant
discretion" Of which the Mominl
News prates? When did he cease t
be entitled to the hearty support o
the Republicans of the state?"
We might as well give the answer
for the Morning News cannot do S,
truthfully with credit to itself.
From the moment that Hugh {
Browne, possessed as he was with al
the virtues attributed to him by tn
Morning News, secured the lucrativ
office which Washington Hastings ex
pected, he became as nothing in tn
estimation Of the Morning News.
Talk about mendacity and irrespons
bilityl Can a newspaper which blow
hot and cold on a man as. the Morn
ing News has done on Hugh C. Browns
be anything else hut mendacious an
irresponsible? Let it stand up and giN
its reasons for expressing doubt col
cerning Hugh G. Brownies capacity
administer the affairs of the local po
office. 1t dare not do So Things haV
come to a pretty pass when the chai
man OF the Regular Republican Sta
Committee is compelled to go to Il
Democratic press OF the state to re;
the truth about him and to recei
words Of commendation while d
Wanted organ Of that same commit
sits back in its corner with its finge
in its mouth and sulks because 4
man OF its selection failed to secure
prize for which Mr.. Browne not on
did not seek, but which he would n
accept until given positive assuran
that complications had arisen whi
made the appointment of Washingt
Hastings or Winfield S. Quigley am
ter OF impossibility.