Evening journal., 1899-02-27
SIX PROPOSITIONS.


We desire it 10 be distinctly under
stood. once and for all, that our criti-
cism Of the appointment OF Ralph Del
Soto is not actuated by personal malice
or personal interest, but upon grounds
which are infinitely higher than any
such considerations The appointment
of Mr.. De Soto carried with it the in
lection Of his personality into the pub
lie service of the United States. The
very moment that that condition ex-
listed his record as an American and
as a Republican became the legitimate
object OF public scrutiny and criticism,
for the office Of inspector of customs
at Havana is a responsible one, and the
people OF the country are entitled toI
know what manner OF man President
MCKINLEY has sent there to represent
them. The proper time for such criti-
cism would have been before the ap-
pontment was made, when 1t was in
course OF meditation. Such a course
could not be pursued because the APP
poinument was made before II was gen
orally known that MIR. De Soto was
even dreamed Of for a Federal posi-
tion. Hence whatever condemnation
such selection deserved necessarily
came after consummation OF the
scheme TO obtain for Mr. DE Soto a
government job. We resented his APP
poinltment upon these grounds:
First That Notwithstanding his
loud professions Before the breaking
out Ct the war with Spain, he failed to
go to the front, or to even volunteer
to go to the front, when President Nc
F1lnley called for men.
Second. That his failure to do so
stamped him as a man who was rec
reant to the island Of his birth and
recreant to the country or his adop-
tion.
Third. That these things being true,
and they are matters OF public record
the country owed him nothing and
should have given him nothing.
Fourth. That at the last general
election he not oply failed to Register
and vote OF his own accord. but that
ne withstood the lmportunities Of The
parity leaders OF the Flfty-d1th electloG
district in the Fifth ward, and posi-
lively refused to register or vote a
time when the Republicans believet
that they needed every vote thel
could muster to carry the city countg
and state.
Firth. That these things being true
and the registration and voting book
OF the district win show that they are
Republican administration owed hin
nothing and should have given hin
nothing.
Sixth. That he should be recalle
and one Of the Delaware volunteer
and voters sent to Hayana in hi
stead.
Upon these propositions We pred
Gated our argument, and upon ther
we propose TO continue to stand, 70
they are true. and the people Of Wi
mington know that they are true w
are not so foolish as to permit cur
selves to be dIawn frcm the rock q
tact to the sands OF persona, abus
and blllingsgate. We have appea,e
to the reason and not to the passion
and prejudices OF our readers, and the
know that the cold. hard fact contain
ed in our criticism is what has cut S
deeply into the hide OF the persons
friends Of this man. There was q
way OF getting around it. That NJ
DE Soto neither fought nor vote.
neither performed the duties OF
Cuban nor American patrlct, nor tho
OF an American citizen, is not mattl
OF speculation, but one of official re
ord and public notoriety. The mu
ter-rolls show the one; the regisratiC
and voting books show the other. "
challenge the advocates Of this insui
ing appointment to produce a music
roll or a voting book q the year Isl
upon which the name Of Ralph De So
appears. They cannot do it, and Il
people Of Wilmington know that thl
cannot do ". IA certificate from Il
Cuban junta Of New York is n
worthy OF moments consi
GRAFTON. It IS nothing mo
than weak apology. al
apologies like it are being issued
the hundred to recreant Cubans in
parts of the United States. Now tn
the glamour OF ante-belMm declar
tion is dispeIed by cold comparlsN
with the conduit Of these men in I
face Of the stern realities OF war,
observant pe0pie cannot be de,uded
apologies issued by the Cuban junta
New York. There is too much COZ
nonsense in the American makeup
permit such artificos to he successful
used. The American eye is dfscerni1
and the American mind is thina1ir
while the Cuban junta