The Washington herald., 1908-03-30
OFFICEHoLpERs IN POLITICS.
Significant Lesson from the Sec
Ond Harrison Campaign.

CH1 haEElsOm Can pAAkH-
From the St. Louis Globe-Democat
II is to be hoped that the absence Of
Cabinet officers from the convention also
means that Federal officials OF all grades
viii be scarce at that gathering II is TO
be hoped likewise that the government
placemen who 90 TO Chicago as spectators
during the convention will avoid all at
tempts TO use their official influence to-
ward the advancement OF the fortunes OF
any aspirant. The scandal which was
created by The presence of Federal Off
Gals at the Minneapolis convention in 1892
is remembered by a good many Republic
cans.
Mr.. Chairman. I hold in my hand a.
list Of 130-odd officeholders who are dele
gates TO this convention. nine-tenths Of
whom live in States where there is a
hopeless Democratic majority. The trouble
comes not alone from these men. but II
comes from a pressure Of between 200
and 5000 government oficeholders, who
swarm the corridors OF the hotels. and III
these galleries. and haunt the delegates,
who ought 10 be in Washington and else
where attending 10 their business. We
who are from Republican States would
like TO have a little voice in naming a
candidate for the Presidency"
These were the words OF Mr. WolcOtt
Of Colorado. one OF the Blaine delegates
at Minneapolis. Mr.. Roosevelt was not
delegate at the convention OF 1892. He
was member Of the national Civil Serv-
! ice Commission at that time, and was at
/ tending 20 his duties in Washington He
| remembers. however. the indignation
which was expressed by Republicans all
over the country at the pernicious activi-
~ Of the Federal placemen az that con
vention. and as he took a close interest
IN politics then, as ne does now, he can
| recall the hostility which was aroused
| by their presence and their work for the
| man who gave them their Office.
| Mr.. Roosevelt can also remember that
/ the activity OF the Federal officials at
that convention was one OF the causes
] Of the defeat OF the conventions candi-
/ date. Gen. Harrison was a good Presi-
dent, but he made the mistake which
was made by some OF his Republican
and Democratic predecessors in attempt
ing 10 run his psrty's caucUses, primaries.
and conventions, IN addition 70 doing the
I work which he was elected 10 perform
/ Distrusting the sentiment OF his party,
he allowed the convention OF 1892 10 be
packed by his placemen. SO as 70 render
/ his denomination certain In doing this
he made the supreme mistake Of falling
10 look beyond the convention 20 the cleo
! ton He assumed, as many Unwise Re
| publicans are assuming to-day. that the
\ people Will be sure 10 ratify the selection
/ OF the convention. regardless altogether
OF who that selection may be- As conse-
quence his Democratic opponent, Mr.
( Cleveland, received an overwhelming ma
/ jority al the polls. Republican victory IN
| 1908. despite the recent shake-up which
/ has taken place in each OF the great
/ parties, IS probable But the margin viii
! be closer than il has been in recent cam
/ paigns. IN order that we may have any
margin at all. however. IL is necessary
| that the candidate be a man who viii
/ be supported by all elements of the
party. The way 10 make sure that a
candidate OF that sort viii be selected
/ is 10 let the Republican voters nominate
I him. The delegates who are elected by
I the free voice OF their party. without any
pressure from Washington. viii more faith.
I fully reflect the party's desires whether
those delegates are instructed OF not, thar
| government placemen can reflect them
/ These are elementary political truths and
no man in the country knows them better
/ than does Mr. Roosevelt