The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-05-03
Let 10 alone
s,cr,tary Metcalf add lhe Fleet.

Secretary Metcalf and the Fleet.
Iii Just as we'll perhaps that Secretary
MErcALF Is getting ready TO make his
appearance on the Pacific Coast. We
noteon the part Of the people a tagging
interest in the feet and on the part Of
the crews a slowly growing desire TO
vacate the role Of front row figures in
a spectacle. As for the officers them
selves they have never regarded the
flower festivals, &c, with anything but
aversion. The Secretary, therefore, will
do well 10 hasten unless he would find the
public stated and the temper Of the crews
Invested Of even the pretenqe Of enthu-
siasm.
There has been little secret from the
first as to the real object Of the naval
parade. Mr.. METcALF wants to be a
Senator and with the Senators stand.
Used in moderation, the junket Of the
fleet might have promoted his aspira-
tons. 1t is no small thing to furnish
sleepy towns with a sensation. It Is a
very bigAhing indeed to inject into the
same towns aitorward several thousands
Of happy-go-lucky sailormen with their
pockets full OF money and a consuming
thirst for spending il. The whole Cali
!ornia coast has been enriched by this
benefcent shower OF gold. There, for
example. is Santa Barbara, with a popu-
lation Of 5000 or 10000, not more than
one-ffth Of whom derived any profit
from the invasion. The others no doubt
subscribed for the show and enjoyed it
within reason, but the one-ffth took in
the sailors in more ways than n and
80 Improved their opportunity, The re-
suit can be imagined. The respectable
clements Of the community had enough
Of it when the pageant terminated, the
frugal one-hfth dropped the subject
when disbursement ceased, and the man
o'-Sarsmap with an empty wallet and a
distended head was left to wonder where
his dividend Of either profit or glory
came in. II was so at San Diego, at
Los, Angeles and elsewhere. What it
will be by the time the feet reaches
tho Golden Gate we a only conjecture.
We say nothing Of the officers, except 10
suggest that no part OF it ever possessed
for them even the charm Of novelty.
II will be we'll, therefore, for the Hon.
VICTOR METCALP to hasten his steps il
he proposes to reap any advantage from
the fleets presence on and along his
shores. Unless he makes haste or all
the processes Of human nature are di.
verified in his favor, he will reach San
Francisco just in time TO meet a lot Of
sailors thoroughly Disseminated, di-
vested Of all their original ardor, de-
pleted as regards their pockets, and
DESTROYS OF nothing so much as a good
long old fashioned carouse among them
selves. They have endured the pro-
tracted strain Of a novel gayety and are
tired Of it. Such funds as remain to
them they would like TO spend in their
own way. Mr., METcALF will find, we
fear, that neither they nor the busy
citizens of the California metropolis will
lend themselves in the proper spirit TO
further schemes Of holiday making.
Wemay be wide Of the mark. The men
" the feet may reach San Francisco as
full OF enthusiasm as ever, the populaoe
will meet them keyed to the proper pitch,
and Mr.. METCALF's prospects for the
Senate may swim upon a summer sea
Let us hope so il we can.