The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-21
Mr.. Hitchcock and Mr.. Garfield.

MIR. Hitchcock and Mr.. Garfield.
We have encouraging accounts OF
young Mr.. GARFIELD, who is expected to
succeed the Hon. ETHAN ALLEN HITCH
CoCK as Secretary of the Interior some
three months hence. Our Washington
press reports assure us that he is In daily
consultation with the accomplished pub
lie servant whose portfolio he will assume
40 soon, and under that enlightened
tutelage is making himself familiar with
the history Of Secretary HITCHCocK's
methods and achievements, acquiring
a much needed knowledge Of the plans
yet awaiting realization, and generally
preparing himself to continue q effeo-
lively az possible the splendid war against
piracy and graft which was inaugurated
several years ago and has already been
prosecuted to such excellent conclusions
by the present incumbent. The under
standing Is that Mr.. GARFIELD will step
into Secretary HrTCHCoCK's place fully
qualified to p~erpetuate its present claim
upon the respect, the gratitude and the
confidence Of the American people. Let
us hope that a programme 80 admirable
may be carried out in all its detailsl
1t IL no disparagement OF Mr.. GAR
FIELD, however, to say that the country
would gladly have kept Secretary HITCH
COCK in its service for some time longer.
Although he has accomplished wonderful
results-more really substantial and in
struotive results than we are accustomed
TO in these days Of windy p~rotestation and
mere theatrical display-there remains
much that seems to need for itscompletion
the unique equipment Of brains, courage,
judgment and imperturbable resolution
which has enabled Secretary HITCHCOCK
to oppose, curb and gradually disintegrate
the most powerful machinery Of spoliation
ever contrived by human ingenuity and
operated by human avarice. Against
all imaginable influence, cunningly and
ruthlessly exerted; despite a serried
opposition that might have appalled, a
smaller and more timid man, ETHAN
ALLEN HITCHCOCK has, single handed,
stormed the position Of the robber band
and now occupies the first and most for
midable lines of their carefully arranged
intrenchments. Senator Of the United
States vas sent upon his way to the
~penitentiary. Two members Of Congress
have been launched upon the same
disgraceful path. Hundreds Of criminal
indictments await the less important
agents OF the sinister conspiracy. Ter
ror and CONSERVATION dwell In the coun-
ellis OF the thieves who have not been able
to bully, cajole or c%ontrovert this kindly,
brave and honorable gentleman.
Speaking in all respect for Mr.. GAR
FIELD, It is a pity that Secretary HITCH
COCK could not have stayed in office
longer. He says he is getting old, and
that after eight years Of painful labor
and solicitude he would retire to private
life. He has gone far toward the puri-
flcation Of the public service; set an ex-
ample which, II resolutely and intelli-
gently followed, will contribute largely
to our common security and pride; but
those who have carefully watched his
course and nationally appraised his char
acter agree, with all needful unanimity,
that the Administration would be the
beneficiary Of a regime which should
carry not only into the Department of
the Interior, but into all the other e1-
ecutive departments Of the Government,
the sternly patriotic propaganda which
Mr.. HITCHCOCK has inaugurated. Itmay
be that Mr.. GARFIELD will confirm and
celebrate his predecessor. Let US be
optimistio at all costsi