Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-24
Governor Hum and the Offices.


Governor HUM and the OFFICES.
As We expected, the announcement
by Governor Hum, that President Nc
Kipley had offered him the disposition
of Federal patronage in Delaware, but
that he had declined the offer made a
dscided sensation in politica! circles.
II really was the most significant
political incident Of the year.
There ia a dispoaition, by reason OF
the unfortunate fact that the death of
President Mckinley excludes his testi-
mony, to cast doubt upon the accuracy
Of Governor Hum statement. Hut we
have not the slightest hesitation in
accepting il as absolutely correct. IL
was a natural proceeding, under the
circumstances, that President McKin-
Icy should make such a PROPOSE
tion. 1t was only right and proper
that Governor Hum should deciiue. 1t
may be that President Roosevelt made
the same proposition TO him, and that
he declined it also.
IL would have been very unseem,y,
as governor of the State, for Governor
Hum to participates in the demoralizing
scramble for Federal offices, and he
showed not only good political sense
but true appreciation of the duties Of
his high office, when he declined the
proposition advanced by President Nc
kinley. To have accepted would have
involved him and his Office in the
fractional struggle that has distracted
the Republican party of Delaware for
years, and even had he attempted to
dispose of the Offices in the sririt of
party harmony, it is more than probable
that he would but have widensd the
breach, and, in addition, brought upon
himself the hatred Of both factions, and
suffered in the estimation Of all good
citizens.
l3y his action in declining to stand
as the dispenser of Federal patronage.
Governor Hum also announced himself
as not factionalist, but as Republi-
can. Had he consented to dispose of
the patronage, and give it to tn.
Aduioks Republicans, he would have
made 1t clear that he was 10 sympathy
with that faction of the party, as many
people thought he was at the time Of
the election, AND continued to think SO
until his declaration of last Saturday.
Certainly, Governor Hum seemed to
incline toward Addicks Republication
during the campaign of last year, and
his impor tant appointments as governor
were made in the interest of the Ad.
dicks faction of the party. But his
destination OF the offer made him by
President Mckinley proved that thar
determination, at least, was not the
act OF an Addioks Republican. As an
Addioks Republican. he would have
snapped at President McKinley's offer
ard distributed the Fedei al patronage
in the manner deemed best for the
POLITICAL interests of that faction.
We have no doubt that the leaders of
the Addicks Republican faction feel
Ike rending Governor Hum to pieces
for what they must look upon as his
deep and damnable perfidy. Wnsn they
think that he could have given them
the Federal patronage of Delaware, and
thereby strengthened them with the
apparent recognition OF the national
administration, it will be hard for
them to keep their wrath and in
uignation within bounds. They appear
to DO dased by the surprising and up-
expected information, but that they
will endeavor to wreak their petty
vengeance upon the governor for not
accepting the power that was placed at
his disposal, and using it for their
benefit, is not doubted.
But Governor HUM has nothing tn
fear from the wrath of the disoomfitted
leaders of Addicka Republisanism. True
he has struck them vital blow in this
matter, but he could not have done
otherwise and preserved his political
aud personal respect. Had he done
what they would have wished him tn
do, he might have advanced their
political interests temporarily, but
would have sacrificed his own perma.
nently, And not only his political
interests. but the good feeling and re-.
spect Of the best element of Delaware
citizenship.
Unless the governor shall prove to the
contrary by his course in the future.
his positive declination of President
Mckinley's offer will be accepted as
proof that be is no longer IL ever be
was In sympathy with the senatorial
aspirations Of. Mr.. Addicks, and that
he will not permit the influence of his
high Office to be used in any manner to
assist Mr. Addicks in attaining the
goal of his ambition. And in such an
attitude Governor Hum will be en-.
dorssd and sustained by every reputable
element, personal and political. in the
State.
Don't think, sir, that you can suesr
at the Sentinel because MIR. Addioks