The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-06-23
GOVERNOR cRoTnERs.


Governor crothers probably shares John
Morley's opinion that politics is field
where action is one long second best and
where choice constantly lies between two
blunders. The Governor has given ample
evidence Of wishing to do better by the
public than it would let him, and If pub.
lie opinion is hostile to him he can con-
sole himself with the paradox that while
it is due partly to his own faults, itnever-
theless. is not giving him his just dues.
Like the French wit, he doubtless feels
that public opinion is infallible-infal-
libby wrong The witty Frenchman to
the contrary Notwithstanding public
opinion, however. has curious faculty
of being almost infalliably RICH: when
you can CT it really active. Too often it
is specious and artificial public which is
opinionating loudly in the world, while
the real public las no opinion at all
Governor Crothers, at all events may
justly feel that he is suffering from that
experience. The Governor is not getting
his just deserts. It is true that he came
into his high Office as politician. that be
knew all the tricks Of his trade and that
he was qui.e willing and accustomed to
break bread with all the pharisees and
sinners Of his order And yet he has
made remarkably good Goveruor-one
of the best the State has ever had. He
has been energetic, loyal, faithful, un-
selfish, extremely approachable. more
given to deeds than words. and he has
been constructive and had the larger
vision. =. Maryland owes to him its
good roads movement, and be is Justly
entitled to much of the credit for some of
the most effective and progressive legisia-
ton that has ever gone on our statute
books, such as the Corrupt Practices, the
Public Utilities. the Pure Food, the Auto.
mobile and other acts. He has put
greater economics into actual effect than
any administration Of which we know.
and he has given more of his personal
time and attention to the details of his
Office than any Governor for years.
We think the Governor is justly en-
titled to these encomiums, and we give
them the more readily because it seems
to be evident that he has no chance of
succeeding himself, and because his case
is good one with which to point few
morals. We have no interest III the per.
sonal or political fortunes of Governor
Crothers, but are interested in trying to
analyze or determine why it is that loyal
and efficient service in high Office should
not command greater degree of public
consideration and support Mr.. Warfield
entered the Office of Governor as the
choice of his party. and promptly rose to
the occasion as simple servant of the
people only to have the people reject
him. Governor Crothers repeats the
same experience. Mayor Mahool is
another example. What does it m Fan?
What shall Il profit man to serve the
whole people with his whole sonl II there
by he lose not only his job but his public
standing? Why is it that tried men and
experienced men seem as matter of
course to be expected in public office to
make room for the new and untried? In
ordinary business, as in Holy Writ, the
man who has been tried and found faith.
full in few things is usually made ruler
over manythings. Why not in politics?
Governor Warfield did not 60 out and
Mr.. Crothers go in because the public
preferred the latter. The politicians did
the preferring and the public did the
voting. Today they prefer to change
again.
We can be proud that the State has
many men of ability who aspire to high
Office, but it is not a source of pride that
the determination of which it shall be
depends not ON their fitness or exper.
fence, but on their political availability,
or upon the political programs of petty
bosses. If public sentiment made itself
felt as it should, and if it were the I'M
written law of democracy that the tried
man who makes good is the man to re-
main in Office, much of this petty faction.
al politics would disappear. and we
should not be treated constantly to a
political game of checkers in which the
voters are merely the dumb pieces of the
board. BALTIC. Sun.