The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-04
Godkiu and the Administration.

1t is highly probable that Mr.. Lawrence
GodkIn, formerly editor of the New Yo k
Evening Post" would not have used the
language concerning Dir. Mckinley and his
syndicated political associates, which he
did in private letter, if he had known that
it was to be published, Since it has been
published he has too much backbone 10
attempt 10 deny or modify the expressions
which have carried CONSERVATION into the
Republican camp.
The full extent of his offending IS
a question of grammatical construction.
The exact language ascribed to him is this
Il have a daep-seated prejudice against
William Mckinley and the men who sur
round him and act with him. My opinion
of them. formed long ago, is that they are
the most dangerous set of scoundrels by
which any civilized country was beset."
1t is fair to give the author of this strong
indictment the benefit of any doubt ia
connection with its apparent arraieiment
of one who occupies the proud position OF
President of the United States. Some peo-
pie are charitable enough to think that by
the most dangerous set of scoundrels, -
round Mr.. Mckinley, and that if he had
intended to include the Chief Magistrate
he would have written "he and they" in
stead of only they" We are inclined to
agree with those who take this view OF
the matter Even in private correspo ID
ence a man familiar with The laws of
the country concerning libel would hest
tate to directly call prominent and pow
erfuI man ''scoundTel:" while it might
be legally safe to speak of his associates.
his encourage, OF a certain national or
State Administration, in like terms with
out eolliding with any statute. The only
person in position to solve the mystery
of his meaning is Mr.. Godkin himself, and
probably he feels that he has said all upon
the subject already that could be requires
of him.
Whether he intended to include the
President in his denunciation or not is
unimportant. Lawrence Godkfn is a man
with a following. His views and opinions
VIGOROUSLY have great weight with q class
OF people whose good will and support.
both political and financial. especially in
New York. are vitality important to tho
Administration. and the trust and mo-
nopoly organization behind it, this year
Godkin is a sort of prophet to hundreds of
rich men who oppose imperialism, TO
whom the Dingley tariff is as a red rag
TO bull. but who helped to elect Mr. Me
Kinley in 1896 on the gold issue. This
renders the pronunciamento against will
liam Mckinley and the men who surround
him and act with him." a serious affair
1t combines with other and unexpected
menaces to the success of the Hanna
campaign, to render the struggle darby
doubtful and painfully expensive. From
the latter point of view there is visible
uneasiness at the trust machine head
quarters where the stream of treasure
passing from the faithful into the barrel
so far appears as a tinkling rivulet instead
of the torrent that was hoped for.
Fresh and more strenuous efforts must
be made TO line the box. There is no lack
of Republican money. all made like pick
ing 1t up on the street since the begin
ming of the Spanish war, If only it could
be reached. But that portion of it which
is in the vaults of Gold Democrats
does not come out easily since Roosevelt'a
assertion that all Democrats are towards;
and Thomas B. Reed has many wealthy
friends who are "sulking'' over the way
he has been kicked out of public life. In