The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-09
The Retirement Of
Secretary BaIlinger.

Secretary Of the Interior Ballinger
has resigned and gives III health as
! the excuse. HIS retirement was IN
locked Tor as he had the confidence OF
the president and the recent attack
upon his work and character seemed
70 have no effect upon him. There is
something pathetic about the Ballinger
AFFAIR IN certain Of its features. but he
was unit for Office. from incompe-
tency or dishonesty, either Of which
should hays made him resign months
ago.
In his recent speech Senator Fetch
e. gives a good view OF Ballinger and
how he failed to measure up to the
standard thu people require for their
officers. He said:
Between vulgar graft and criminal
guilt on one side and perfection on the
other Is a broad field. Within IL lies
the standard OF official conduct the
people have q right to exact.
They do not require that an ofhciRl
shall be infallible. They do not ex-
pect him to commit no error Of head
or heart. On the other hand, they are
not satisfied to have him simply keep
on the windy side OF the law and pur-
sue a course which Is neglectful OF
and unfaithful to their interests TO the
point Just inside the line Of criminal
guilt. They demand that he shall b5
honest; that he shall serve to the best
of his ability and IN the utmost good
faith The honesty they have a right
to demand is of that broad naturs
which means something more than
keeping out OF jail.
The fidelity they have q right to in
sist on Is Of that positive. aggressive
vig1lant kind. which means something
more than conplacently moving along
lines Of least resistance.
The public desire and have a right
TO require that the oficial, holding fts
power Of attorney, shall stand stead
Efastly for the welfare Of the people,
yield to no pressure. whether of par
ltieular friends or powerful political OF
financial influences. that would 5eop-
Eardize or sndanger the rights or in
lferests Of the whole people.
The public expect and have q right
no demand that the onieiaI shall fully
realize the large responsibilities of his
position. be ever mindful Of the trust
reposed IN him, and faithful and dill.
gent in the performance Of his duties
Honesty, courage, and ability, in tn.
order named, are the qualities de-
nanded In high ofaeisl position.
Looking at the matter from this
viewpoint It is readily apparent thai
THE secretary was unfit for ofice. 1t ID
possible that hs Is innocent, as ths
president believes, but the records
show that he was assisting parties tC
help rob the government which he was
supposed to represent OF twenty five
million dollars worth Of coal lands. Il
he was ignorant of this he was unft
for Office and totally incompetent.
When placed IN q position like tina,
y man ought TO possess enough self
respect to resign, which Ballingel
might have done had it been left foE
him to decide. but the president be-
nsved IN him and insisted uoon him
remaining in his cabinet
After the whftewash which be re-
eeivsd some time ago Il Is probable
that the secretary could have remained
An the position throughout the term d
the president, but the public is glad
be resigned. He was guilty In the
minds OF a majority OF the people and
occupying the position which be did Il
was damaging 70 the welfare OF tn.
nation