The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-26

Mr.. James Gordon Bennett, the editor ant
proprietor of the New York Herald.
does not often contribute to the editorial
columns of his newspaper, but when he
does the fact is unmistakable. There is q
| gentle flowing fatulency in the Bennett
! style and a grim idiocy in the Bennett con-
! illusions. which would mark them anywhere
| The articles are invariably cabled from
| Paris, but they lose nothing in transmits
| ten-and they are written as no other
| journalist alive could or would write.
Mr.. Benefits last recorded appearance
as an author came a year or so ago, when
he attacked the evening edition OF the
'Heraid"-a curious pink creation called
the Evening Telegram" and after fierce
ly denouncing himself for producing such
journalistic abortion. summarily sup
pressed it. 'You can fool all of the people
some of the time" said Mr. Bennett in his
editorial in the Herald you can fool
some of the people all OF the time, but you
can't fool all of the people all of the time"
The Evening Telegram was accordingly
killed. to be resurrected the next day how
ever, on receipt of intelligence from Paris
that Mr. Bennett was feeling better.
On the occasion in hand Mr. Bennett an
nounces his belief that Mr.. Mckinley
should be reelected. Don't swap horses
while crossing a stream says Mr. Bennett
in yesterdays Herald" and then con-
tInues as follows:
with sailorliks candor Admiral Dewey pro-
vided bis political opponent, Mr.. Mckinley. with
a crushing argument for reelection when he said
The position Of President Is not difficult one
to nil. All he has TO do is to carry out the
wishes OF Congress in accordance with the Cen
stitution.
"No one can accuse Mr.. Mckinley of ever hav-
ing done ANYTHING else He has done it faith
fully and the country has prospeTed in conse-
quence. Why. then, should the people change a
President who has proved that he can and that ne
does carry out the wishes of Congress in ac-
cordsnce with the Constitution for another who
only thinks it is easy, but who may change his
opinion about it later. Just as he did about not
running for PRESIDENT"
This is the real Bennett touch-the real
Bennett logic. The President being, as he
is we'll known to be under our system OF
government, mere creature Of Congress,
why swap him when crossing a stream,
Mr.. Mckinley having proved that he can
do nothing simply and quietly, why re-
place him with one who does not think he
ought TO be called on 10 do anything at all?
The argument is conclusive any way you
look at it, no matter whether the observer
is used TO seeing double, triple. or quad
ripple.
But Mr.. Bennett has a concluding
thought which also merits attention. He
says:
admiral Dewey really hit the right nail on
the head in pointing that the President simply
carries out the wishes Of Congress, but would he
be willing 10 do it, That is The question. The
Admiral wavered with regard to his de-
cision not TO become a Presidential candidate; he
might wayer again he elected, though this
latter suppositOn IS rather bold one to make. -
1t seems TO us that Admiral Dewey ought
to explain this. II may take him a day or
two to discover just what Mr.. Bennett
wants to know. and by that time Mr.. Ben
nett may have forgotten that he ever made
the enquiry But it won't do for the Ad-
miral to 90 into the campaign with such
mystery unsolved, for. as Mr. Bennett very
coherently says:
The President las only to carry out the wishes
Of Congress, 50 why try TO teach a 20 do
what Mr.. Mckinley is already doing sltisiac-
toriyY'
1t is a great shame that Mr.. Bennett
does not write home oftener. There is
nothing like him in American journalism