Evening journal., 1903-09-10
MR. nYRNEs SUCCESSOR.

MR.. BYRNE's SUCCESSOR.
There is much speculation regarding
the course the President win persue in
regard 70 naming a man for the Office
Of District Attorney TO succeed Mr.
Byrne. Under the terms OF the agree
ment between the two Senators. which
we understand the President acqui-
esced in. II he did not dictate. he will
regard the appointment as belonging
to the Regular Republicans. But leav-
Ing that agreement out Of consldera-
ton and regarding the situation as
though n had not been made. there
should be no great dlmculty in finding
man who viii perform the duties OF
the ONCE with all fdelity. We trust
that the President win decide TO ap-
point a good lawyer, one whom VIC
can trust implicitly and who win not
engage too large a share Of the pub
lie attention.
/. Is not complimentary TO the Presi-
dent to assume. as some have done,
that he Is now turning the matter over
IN his mind 10 the end that some po-
litical advantage may follow his de-
cision. Every public u'teranoe Of the
President every article he has writ
ten-on public affairs shows his opposl-
tion to that kind OF conduct by one I'm
power. Mr. Roosevelrs chief concern
viii be TO name an efficient lawyer. a
man OF character, one who will use all
skill and diligence in the conduct Of
the affairs OF the office He has re-
peatedly emphasized the importance OF
The public service above partisan poll
Tics. and declared IN his southern poll
Icy early I'M his administration that he
would appoint competent men to ONCE,
Republicans If he could get them; II
not, then Democrats.
We have said that the appointee
mpat be agood lawyer BY that we do
not mean necessarily one who possesses
glib tongue The business OF the
government Is not advanced by smooth
.alk. but by knowledge OF the law
attention to detail and thorough
preparation OF cases. Eloquence is a
care power. but II must not be used to
gloss over some vast intellectual waste
And right here we suggest that Ii you
want 10 know ones standing as law
yer. the truest test is 60 find what ~
fellow members OF the bar think Of
his legal ability
Granting that no man win be APP
pointed for the simple reason that he
is a Regular Republican, OF course with
that amllouon we need not expect that
it win be made a point against him.
We have heard It suggested that the
President shall name one who Is not
Identified with factonsl politics. In
other words, oolorless Individual a
man who has watched ono Of the most
strenuous battles IN American politics
and hasn't formed an opinion or has
been too timid TO express it. But the
President win never appoint that Kind
OF man; he likes strong, vlrile men
and when IL is remembered that once
he took occasion TO warmly commend
the "seven immortals" for their heroic
struggle. we feel certain that he wants
no spineless man for District At'or-
ney.
The man who Is to nn this Office
must be FIRST Of an man OF character
and we submit that Regular RepubH-
can Affiliations argue convictions aiong
the right lines. There are those who
Will urge that Regular Republicanisu
reiVesents an impossible ideal IN poll
ties. but granting this. we think II doe:
r not cirque an impossible ideal fer q
law officer OF the United states Cow
ernment. Il may not be good politics
20 denounce wholesale bribery and
bossism Of the worst type, but in public
office IL is important that one should
hold these ideals. The President in
such appointments naturally consuits
his cabinet officers. but fortunately Tor
the public service this matter is not
in Mr.. Payne's department.