The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-03-23
Mr.. M'Kinley As A Politician.


In recent article by former
United State Senator John J. Ingalls,
President Mckinley is referred to as
lone Of the most adroit politicians"
the United States has ever seen. Mr..
Ingalls, never betrays a paucity Of
words. From a remarkable voca-
bulary he usually selects the exact
word to convey his meaning. He
evidently discriminates finely when
he refers. to the president as a poll
tician rather than statesman.
Even the presidents warmest ad-
mirers must have been driven to-
ward this thought by some of his re-
cent actions.
A AWashington dispatch this week,
widely published, and undoubtedly
based on ex-cathedra information,
announced that the president has de-
cided to permit the Republican SEN
ators to decide whom he shall ap-
point to postmasterships in cities
which are in districts now represent
ed by Democrats. or course the
president cannot study each indi-
vidual case and find out for himself
which Of the. applicants Is the best
for the position. There are two
many cases for that, and as rule,
he must rely upon the representatives
from the districts for information
for his guidance, but certainly in
such cases as are referred to in the
Washington dispatch, there Is an
opportunity to consult the wishes Of
the people who arc to be served by
the officer in question, and are there
fore chiefly interested.
In these cases, however, the presi-
dent takes a step toward machine
politics instead Of moving away from
it. He pledges himself to do the
bidding in such cases of an official
who may not live within two hum
dred miles from the community to
be served. by the appolntee, and who
will be almost sure TO use the ap-
pointment as personal perquisite
regardless of the wishes of the people
or the good Of the service.
The appointment of congress
sional librarian to succeed the ]. r..
Young is another instance of the
presidents inclination to machine
politics. This great library, now
housed most magnificently, is the
pride Of the nation. 1t is capable of
doing great good, but to make 1t most
efficient 1t must be in efficient hands.
Here is one place certainly from
which the despoiling hand Of the
politician should be kept. 1t was
hoped that President Mckinley
would simply seek to ecure the very
best talent obtainable in making the
appointment, but what was the fact?
Out Of half dozen candidates, most
Of them very we'll equipped for the
place, he selected the one man whose
ability as librarian had never been
tested, and for good reasons was very
much doubted, and whose reputation
as a cheap politician was we'll known.
1t should cover multitude of sins
on the part Of the senate that 1t re-
fused to confirm the selection of this
man. TO emphasize his position In
this matter, which was not at all
necessary, the president then offered
to reappoint the rejected man--con-
gress having adjourned in the mean
time; but the appointee had not the
audacity to accept. Convinced then
that the country would insist upon
putting this splendid library In the
hands Of scholarly and able librar-
Ian, the president acceded, and ap.
pointed Mr.. Herbert Putnam.
These facts are cited because there
IL false notion abroad that Presi-
dent Mckinley has little In common
with the politician. The fact will be
found, II his administration acts are
carefully studIed, that he has carried