Evening journal., 1908-01-01
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
FoRrY.ElRsr ARrIcLE.
By Washington Hastings

rOhi -flhol RhliCLE.
Hosea Blglow says.
some canderdates air dead an gone. some
hes been defeated;
Which mounts TO pooty much the same; fer its
been proved repeated
batch bread thet hain't riz once amt goin'
An its jest money throwed away to put the
emptlns in"
This Is timely and wholesome hint-lilSe many which
our old friend Hosea frequently dropsto any
Tor Office who has once been thoroughly and enectually
But be defeated candidate for Congress in Della
ware is not without IT'S compensations
dlsappontmtnts even though the emoluments hon
orary rather than pecuniary This is especially the
when ones defeat time when his political
party Is In power In the White House but has rep
resentatve IN either branch Of congress; the last
defeated candidate for is then, for the time
being regarded Icy the Administration the representa-
tive Of his party ia his state the the
Federal patronage the appointments" good old
Down-St Democrat used to call them largely
hands and under his control This position my good
tune and the balm for wounded sensibities-f they
were woundcdand regulated my political
aspirations and ambitions after my defeat in 1852
was not only the last defeated candidate for congress-
but IN addition enjoyed the personal acquaintance
when he collector Of the customs of the port o
New York Thus from that time until the end of Pres-
dent Arthurs term of office the appointments Federal
office In this Statewith exception which will mem
ton later ana in regard to this ono had much 10 do
were entirely ana absolutely IN my hands, placed there
by the President, through his secretary sending
dorscmont before IL made This "a bad
political asset but think that I use f. and
the political prestige and IL carried with it, fairly
with the period perhaps tho better judges. 1
cured the appointment Of collector of the port Of VIII
mingon collector of internal the district
Delaware and Eastern shore of Maryland-then
biued-5everal postmasters. including that of the town
remember to have heard any objection to any of
them except perhaps from the disappointed Ones who.
and all such had my heartfelt sympathy as had been
through that mill and knew how it felt
Personal resentment or pque or spite indeed per-
soma considerations of any kind in the performance of
are always am unworthy motive and usually leave
sting Of regret behind them. A feow-manf has, per-
haps all uncnecousy wounded pride. clipped the
wings o. our Noultns ambition or been unwilling to
take as at our own estimate OF ourselves what not
and we seem never to be contented until have
somethng TO get even with HIM And so we are led
by tho "Old Adam within. probably TO wait
the revised .erson Of Davy Crockett again. "Be
you're sigh and then stop and think before per-
would euenty avoid cause for regret afterwards and
add one morc TO our stock Of for thinking well
of ourselves.
vacancy the bench Of the United States District
Court in Delaware occurring while occupying the
position OF what for want of better name, win call
dispenser Of Federal appointments for Delaware. good
opportunity was Afforded me 20 show
spirit OF forgNeness-f there was ever anything TO for
give, which is doubtfu-and / failed embrace it.
There number Of candidates for the position but
only two OF them were ever seriously considered by
body Those two were both OF them emnenty equal
" hed for the place One of them already the State
bench and the other admittedly tho leading practitioner
at the Delaware bar; the former had earnestly
IDENTIFY supported my candidacy for congress, so
far his judicial position permitted TO- the latter
was luSewarm IN that support-at least, led
believe so. advocated the appointment OF the former
and secured 1t but It easy task as the friends
of the genueman whom opposed impressed the Pres-
dent with the belief that he by far the ADLER
of the two and this could not denv ana never aid den
because did not know; my only plea that the
whom advocated and who ultimately appointed
was amply fitted for the position in every respect which
fact challenged his opponents to deny well knowing
that they vouc think OF denying 1t and had
not the slightest disposition TO do so
But after all. what good did it all do2 There was
absolutely principle at stake and both would
have equally adorned the position and fully maintained
the high standard OF the judiciary of this state; and
I have often thought since that II could have been
content TO lay esde personal feeling and anmosity
and Lert hands of" I'm that memorable iudgcship
test how much better satisfied would be with myself
m respect ~ that transaction.
But II Is often I'm this world easily see our
mistakes when IL is too late to remedy them
times when IL Is not too late will not the means
but looking back in later when the heat
hct is and the heydey in the blood Is we say
20 ourselves what fools these mortals be"-ourseves
among The number.
Cro be continued)