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

Mr.. James Gordon Bennett the editor and
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 a
gentle flowing Aatulency in the Bennett
style. and q 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
sion. They appear just as they were writ
ten-and they are written as no other
journalist alive could or would write.
Mr. Benefits last recorded appearance
as an author came year or so ago. when
he attacked the evening edition OF the
"Herald'-a curious pink creation called
the Evening Telegram" and after fierce
ly denouncing himself for producing such
a 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-
unues as follows:
with s5Horiiks candor Admiral Dewey pro.
yidcd bis political opponent. Mr.. Mckinley. with
a crushing argument for reelection when he said:
The position Of President is net difficult one
TO nil All he has % DO Is 10 carry out the
wishes OF Congress in accordance with the Con
.'No one can accuse Mr.. Mckinley Of ever hsv-
ing done anything else. He has done 1t faith
fully. aud the country has prospered in coHse-
quenoe. Why. then, should the people change a
President who has proved that he can and that ne
does carry ont the wishes Of Congress in ac-
c1rdsnCe with the Constitution for another who
only thinks .t j. easy but who may change his
opinion shout DO later. just he did about not
running iog President
This is the real Bennett touch-the real
Bennett logic. The President being. as he
is well known 10 be under our system Of
government. a 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 to DO anything at all?
The argument is conclusive any way you
look at il. no matter whether the observer
is used 10 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 ia pointing ont that the President simply
osrries out the wishes of Congress but would he
be willing 10 do liz That Is The question The
Admiral wavcred once with regard 20 his de-
g,,ion not 10 become a Presidential candidate: be
might waiver again were De elected, though this
latter supp0sitiun is rather q bold TO make"
Il seems TO us that Admiral Dewey ought
TO explain this. It may take him a day or
two 10 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 il won't do for the Adj
miral 10 go into the campaign with such
mystery uusolved for. as Mr. Bennett very
coherently says:
'Tl.. President las 0nly 90 carry out the wishes
Of Congress. so uHH try 60 teach q new man 90 DO
what NJ Nekiuies is already doing sltsiac-
tsuiy!'
L is great shame that Mr.. Bennett
does not write home oftener. There is
nothing like him in American Journalism.