The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-08-11
THE REPUBLICAN.
BENZ. H. sINCELL, Editor and Proprietor
JUDGE PARKER. KNOWN AND UN-
KNOWN


of Judge Parker, but it has much
more yet to learn. Until his nomi-
nation for President he was practi-
cally an unknown quantity. He was
chief Judge of the Appellate Court of
New York, clean man, a good citizen,
an agreeable friend, jurist of re-
spectacle attachments. But what
was really known of him as a fit lead
er to guide the affairs of this great
Republic more than of a thousand
other men on the edge of public life?
What were his views and prepos-
sessions on the public questions of the
day? Was he man who would sim
ply tread his party pathway or would
he exercise Independent judgment?
What kind of counsellors would he
call about him, and would he be like
ly to yield to their advice? Would he
be leader or rather plastic follow
er? Had he the capacity and apti-
tude for statecraft, and could he with
out any administrative training of
any kind or any experience in nation
al matters, take and successfully con
duct the affairs of a 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 a character to throw any
light on them. He had been simply
the quiet judge following the round
of his judicial duties, with never any
part in legislative or executive service,
and with nothing to mark his individ-
uality. Since his nomination some
thing has been done to illuminate these
points, but not much. The Sheehan
telegram was good indication as far
as it went. 1t helped to lift him out
of the level and to stamp his person
ality. The fact that it was delayed
for "a hours and sent only after the
united declaration of the papers that
something of the kind was indispen-
sable even to the semblance of fight
detracts from its value as an index;
but the fact that it was at all is worth
something.
The only other thing that has
thrown light on Judge Parker's quail
ity and tendency is the character of
the conferences he has held since his
nomination, and the selection for
chairman of the national committee.
The choice of Tom Taggart is clearly
not up to the plan of the Sheehan
telegram. 1t is on a low level both
politically and morally. 1t may be
true that the range of choice was i'm
itated because everybody else declin-
ed, but there was just the time for
the assertion of commanding power.
Acquiescence in such an apparent
constraint was no confirmation of the
heroic quality imputed to the Shee-
han telegram. AS to the visitors and
conferences 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 it
will bring. These conferences have
revealed Judge Parker as the poll
ticlan, and they haYe added some
thing 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 accep-
tance. In them he must say some
thing. The silence which has so long
been maintained must be cast aside.
He must speak out on the tariff, on
the trusts, on expansion and other
questions, and his utterances will do
much to indicate the man. They will
present mis- real test.