Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-11
JUDGE PARKER.

Philadelphia Press.-The country
has learned something OF Judge Park
err but 1t has much more yet to learn.
Until his nomination for president he
was practically an unknown quantity.
He was chief, Judge of the appellate
court Of New York. a clean man, a
good citizen, an agreeable friend, q
jurist Of respectable attachments. But
what was really known Of him as fit
leader to guide the affairs of this great
republic more than Of a thousand 9TH
er men on the edge of public life?
What were his views and PROPOSES
sions of the public questions of the
day? WINS he q man who would sim
ply tread his party pathway or would
he exercise Independent Judgment I?
What kind Of counselors would he call
about him and would he be likely to
yield to their advice? Would he be a
leader or rather a plastic follower?
Had he the capacity and aptitude for
statecraft, and could he, without any
administrative training Of any kind
or any experience in national matters,
take up and successfully conduct the
aTairs of great nation?
On these questions which must en-
ter into any intelligent judgment the
country had nothing to guide it. Judge
Parker's life and career had not been
Of character to throw any light on
them. He had been simply the quiet
judge following the round Of his judi
cial duties. with never any part in
legislative or executive service, and
with nothing to mark his individuality.
Since his nomination something has
been done to Illustrate these points, but
not much. The Sheehan telegram was
a good indication as far as 1t went. 1t
helped to lift him out Of the level and
to stamp his personality. The fact
that 1t was delayed twenty four hours
and sent only after the united declara-
tion of all the papers that something
OF the kind was Indispensable even to
the senblance of a fight detracts from
It's value as an index: but the fact
that 1t was sent at all is worth some
thing.
The only other thing that has
thrown light on Judge Parker's quality
conferences he has held since his
nomination. and the selection for
chairman of the national committee.
The choice of Tom Tageart 10 clearly
not up to the plane of the Sheehan
telegram. It Is on low level both
politically and morally. It may be
true that the range Of choice was linn
ited because everybody else declined,
but there was the time for the asser-
eiot VI commanding power. ACQuleS-
cence In such an apparent constraint
was no confirmation Of the heroic
quality imputed to the Sheehan tele-
gram. AS to the visitors and con-
ferences they have substantially all
been Of one character They have
been the .Sheehans. the Hills, the Bel
monts, the McCarrens, the Murphys,
the Taggarts, simply the machine
managers Of the party. Certainly it
would be unreasonable to complain of
Judge Parker for planning with the
managers OF the party to whom he
must look for success; but If that is
what is expected to bring success then
we know the kind of success 1t will
bring. These conferences have re-
vealed Judge Parker as a politician,
and they have added something to the
understanding OF him.
But much more remains to be dis
closed, and this will be disclosed In
part In his speech and letter of ac-
ceptance, In them he must say some-
thing. The silence which has 80 long
been maintained must be cast aside.
He must speak out on the tariff, on
the trusts, on expansion and other
questions, ana his utterances will do
much to indicate the man, They will
shows how foolish thew were.