New-York tribune., 1901-11-17
THE COLLECTORSHIP.


selection for Collector of the Port of NeW-1 orh-
Senator Nevada Y Stranahan is recognized by
all who know him an able and honest man
His nuhlic service in the State Senate has been
of high order Some of the measures WIN
which he has been prominently ldentned'
notably his mortgage taxation scheme, Ihe
Tribune has been unable 10 approve. put we
have never failed 10 credit him win Slhceii'!
of purpose and disnterested devotion 10 'iie
welfare of the State. He Is man OF lhuuS-
trious habits. Republican from prlnclpfe' WIN
has never made himself in public of1ce a ser
want of narrow personaI and selfish aims. He
is free from ENHANCEMENT with the inevitable
and Intricate rivalries in the New-1ork Clt!
organization and can be trusted to administer
the Custom House with an eye single 10 the
transaction of public business without re1er-
ence TO anybody's political or financial amoi-
tions Even those who were most anxious Ior
Mr.. BidweIIs retention pay tribute to Mr. Stran-
ahan's character and abilities and agree tnat
il a new man was TO be chosen no more Ill
selection could have been made.
Some disposition exists TO represent President
RooseveIt's decision TO supersede Mr. BldWeil
after he had been continued in office beyond
the expiration of his term by President Nc
Kinley as departure from his Inauguration
pledge TO continue unbrolen the policy OF his
predecessor This, however. would seem un-
reasonably 10 limit the discretion OF the Presl-
dent of to-day in dealing with definite ques-
tions which he must decide according TO the
circumstances as they present themselves at
the time tc him and take the responsibility
for. and not another There Is broad dls-
tinction between the continuing of general
policy with reference To large public ques-
tions and slavishly copying and repeating
in detail the particular acts of another man.
The idea that President Roosevelt In promising
TO continue the policy OF President Mckinley
also promised to reappoint all the officeholders
under his predecessor has the support neither
of logic nor of common sense.
The exact reasons why President Roosevelt
thought the public service could he best pro-
NOTED by some other man than Mr.. Bidwell in
the Collectors office have not been authorita-
lively announced. President Mckinley. it is
true. last summer planned TO give Mr.. Bidwell
a new term. Doubtless if the question We're
before him in its present aspect he would take
the same view as President Roosevelt Many
an executive would. six months after ap-
pointment. when he had new knowledge. make
a different appointment f the question again
came before him. And even if It is assumed.
contrary TO all proba bity. that President Nc
Kfnley If living would be disinclned 10 let new
facts modify an old favorable opinion, the as
sumption points TO no obligation on the part Of
President Roosevelt to abide by such predi-
lections. With all loyalty to the policy of his
predecessor and regard for his memory. he
must solve the problems of his own admins
tration in faithfulness to his own conscience
and according TO his own Interpretation of the
significance Of new information about them. not
by searching for miraculous revelation of the
view his predecessor would take of every petty
matter. No two men equally conscientious and
equally devoted to the same policies will act
alike in minute detail Each man 70 be true to
his mission must be true to himself
Rumors which have reached the public as to
the grounds for the refusal TO reappoint Mr.
Bidwell completely Justify President Roose
velts act and ii is impossible TO believe that
President Mckinley would rot have taken the
same view of the subject 1t is only fair 10
Mr.. Bidwell TO say that he has been an efficient
Collector, but the allegations made concerning
his conduct in other respects were such that his
reappointment could not reasonably be expected
apparently Mr.. Bidwell did not meet them
His retirement will not provoke any party dis
cord. for even Mr.. Bidwell's most earnest
friends must admit that the Presidents stand
ard Of conduct is right one. and, much as they
may be disappointed, must refrain from cher
ishing any grievance against him because of his
action.