The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-05-16

Roosevelt a Fakir and Humbug.

dispatch announced that President
Roosevelt had asked for the resigna-
ton of a Federal office holder in New
York State because he was antago-
MIXING Governor Hughes and his pol
lev. 1t seems that the President
stands for Hughes and he has deter
mined that the Federal office holders
shall not defeat the reform governor
in his plans to carry out policies that
are of the Rooseveltian type. Hughes
is a man after the Presidents own
heart and he is determined to give
the governor the helping hand.
The probability is that the Presi-
deaf bases his action in firing New
York Federal office holders because
they are pernicious in politics, but it
will be noted that he acts quicker
when it occurs in New York than
when the same thing is complained
OF in North Carolina. Senator Sim
MINIS almost two years ago complain
ed OF the partisan and pernicious ac-
tivity of Federal officials in North
Carolina politics, contrary to law,
but the North Carolina officials still
hold their Jobs. However, they cut
some ice in New York, where the
President can turn politics to account
and as soon as they offend off goes
their heads.
Right or wrong. the President pun
ishes his political opponents and
helps those who stand with him. 1t
does not make SO much difference
whether they are otherwise good. eff
ficient and acceptable officers, if they
do not bend to his will. A case in
point WAS the enforced resignation
| on Thursday of Archie Sanders, col
lector of internal revenue at Roches-
ter. 1t is said that sit was a resig-
nation all right, but one that had
been demanded by telegraph by Sec
rotary CortelyOu on the order OF he
President" This action Of the PIesi-
dent stirred up Congressman james
w. Wadsworth, of the Rochester dis
trict, and although he is IL Republi-
can, he gave out a careful interview,
declaring his opinion that the Presi-
dent sis a humbug and a fakir.' and
that "the country is fast awakening
to the real charactar of this bloody
hero of Kettle Hill"
This was the final blow that has
parted WadSwOrth from the Presi-
dent, land the Congressman expressed
his opinion of it in plain language. 1t
is said that Collector Sanders was
bounced because he was Wads-
worth's appointee and friend and op-
posed to the new Congressman, Mr.
Porter, who beat Wa1sworth in the
last election, it is said, by aid from
the White House. A Rochester dis
patch on Thursday to the New York
Times goes on to speak of.this inter-
esting bit OF White House politics:
Ever since the controversy over the
Meat Inspection bill Mr. Wadsworth
has been having hard shedding in his po-
litical travels. He was defeated for re-
election in emorable canvass, in which
his successful opponent, Peter A. Porter,
who was nominated as an Independent
Republican and Endorsed by the Demo-
Gratis, used as his chief argument the
stand taken by Wadsworth on the
meat bill.
Wadsworth's friends in the House I'M
dertook to make things interesting for
Porter by putting him down among the
Democrats in the temporary roll of the
next House. Porter raised a howl at
them, and the President came to his as
sistance as a Republican by turning over
to him all the Federal patronage of the
district. Man after man who held his
place by virtue of the friendship of Wads-
worth has gone by the board to make
room for an adherent of Porter.
Sanders had made a good record for
efficiency at a recent examination of his
office, and had been passed with high
marks. In the usual routine he had been
directed by the Secretary of the Treasury
to renew his bond for another four years
term. Hehad hardly got that done when
the demand for his resignation fell on
him. He was surprised and grieved and
he tried to secure hearing to find out
what was the matter. But his request
was refused. The fact was that Peter
Porter needed the place, and the Presi-
dent determined to give it to him.
When Wadsworth heard of this he
boiled over. president Roosevelt's re-
moval of Federal office holders in West
era New York is such a fragrant violation
of the precepts he has always laid down
about his intention to retain efficient
men in the public service that am led to
believe he was merely taking when he
voiced those lofty principles" declared
Wadswortb.
"This Sanders case is merely another
instance OF the purpose of the President
to punish all my friends simply because
l differed and wisely differed, as time has
proven, from him on certain recent is
sues. 1t is in line with the unprecedented
action OF the President in refusing to re-
| appoint the pOstmasters at Evansville,
Attica and Lockport. The incumbents
| OF those offices discharged their duties to
the complete satisfaction of the Post
office Department, and 1 was practically
asked by the Department to recommend
them for reappOintment. | did so, but
the President held up the papers As
soon as was defeated for Congress the
President selected new men for these Of
| fices-men recommended by my successor.
This was in absolute violation OF the ex-
pressed intention of the President to re-
tain in Office good officials.
1.-The President practically turned down
! the recommendations of his advisers in
| the Postoffic Department, who wanted
the postmasters reappointed because
they had proven to be good officials, and
at the same time he violated his own
| promises to the people. The whole thing
stamps the President as unreliable, q
fakir. and a humbug. For years he has
INDUCED in lofty sentiments, and violates
them all for the sake OF gratifying petty
spite. 1t is apparent that he intends to
prosecute in a like manner every Federal
Office holder who is so unfortunate as to
benny friend. Thank God, he can tool all
the people all the time," and the country
is fast awakening to the real character
| of this bloody hero of Kettle Hill :"
1t seems that this is not a case OF
"the good of the service" but plain
piece OF politics ON the part OF the
President. However, it is a Republi-
can funeral. and If that kind of noI;-