Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-02-15


When Secretary Knox came into of.
fee he extended the civil service reg
citations OF his predecessor and Sc
cured from President Taft another ex-
ecutive order to help Linn enforce his
rules. As things are at present in the
state department young men are given
an opportunity to enter the consular
service without the necessity of sectr-
ing political influence. Examinations
are held frequently and the successful
candidates are put on the waiting list,
later TO be given subordinate positions
in the service abroad with the under
standing that If they show their worth
they can secure promotion
AS the law stands the president can
still appoint consuls directly. and occa-
sionally be does it under pressure, but
he does not like to do If and has said
so on many occasions.
Amusing sIur on Newspaper Men.
Recently the attention of several
Washington officials was attracted by
an interview with a fourth deputy
official" of one of the New York de-
partments in which he said that news
paper reporters were thick skulled
and thick skinned or else they would
not be reporters"
1t is not probable that men engaged
In the newspaper profession will
worry over this Characterization by
fourth deputy Official" but it has
caused some comment and consider
able amusement in the capital
President Taft once on time was
newspaper reporter, and so were
several dozens of high Washington Of
ficials. Mr.. Taft has remarked time
and again that his newspaper expert
ence vas valuable to him and, as he
put it witt extreme modesty, If had
ability enough l might have made a
success 2, 1t. but as 1t was | conclud-
ed that had better go into the law"
In both houses of congress there
are many newspaper men and If one
looks through the cabinet office rec
ords he will find that several report
ers have made good in presidential
official family" positions.
John E. Wilkie, chief OF the United
States secret service, man Of broad
education and fine culture, was once
upon time police reporter for Chi
cago paper. He became in succession
city editor, commercial editor and
Sunday editor and then at the solici-
taIion of Frank A. Vanderlip, now the
president Of the National City Bank
of New York City, and OF former Sec
Rotary of the Treasury Gage, Mr..
Wilkie came to Washington to take
the position of chief of the secret serv-
ice, position which abroad carries
with it at least a knights rank and
where, as also in America, it is con-
sidered one of the most honorable
positions which man can be called
upon to fill.
May Erect Statue of Meade.
Before long congress probably will
sanction an appropriation to be used
in erecting in Washington an eques-
trian statue in memory of General
George B. Meade. The bill for the ap-
preparation already has been introduce
ed in the senate by Senator Warner
of Missouri. 1t has been referred to
the committee on library, which has
charge of such matters. and 1t is un-
derstood that 1t will be reported favor
ably within short time.
1t was General George B. Meade
who was in command of the Federal
army at the battle of Gettysburg. He
won the three days battle, one which
marked the turning of the tide of the
civil war IL favor of the North. II
always mas been remarked upon as
curious that no memorial OF General
Meade is to be found In the national
capital, where nearly all the other
officers of high rank and achievement
have their services recognized by
statues. Ia fact, there are statues In
Washington of some army officers
whose deeds almost have been forgot
ten. but a memorial to Meade Is not
in evidence.
Reason for Past Neglect.
There is reason for past neglect to
honor the commander of the Army Of
the Potomac-for Meade bore that
title from the date ~ the battle Of
Gettysburg up to the very c.ose Of the
war, although of course General Grant
was in chief command of the armies
which pressed on to Richmond A
great many military authorities hold
that Meade ought to have followed up
his Gettysburg victory by the pursuit
of General Lee 1t has been held that
he could have crushed Lees army If
he had made a vigorous pursuit and
successive assaults.
There are other military authorities
who say that Meade knew what he
was doing. and that the circumstances
of the case did not admit of rapid
and effective following of General
Lees retreating army. 1t makes lit
tie difference on which side of the
controversy merit lies. The fact re-
mains that the supposed inactivity Of
Meade after the battle Of Gettysburg
Iargell has been a factor in prevent
ing up to this time recognition Of
his services by statue in the cap
itol city. There was the same sort of
a feeling existing with regard to Gen.
eral George B. Mcclellan, but today
one of the finest memorials In the
city is that of Mcclellan. which stands
on an imposing site near the crest OF
Connecticut avenue hill
a.