The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-17

in the matter leads to Indifference and
perhaps to an indifference toward both
just and unjust criticism. This condition
helps the comfort of the patient but
doubt IL 1t makes him better President.
"Of course the reassuring formula that
history will right one and will give one
his just NEED of praise Is consolatory,
but 1t is not altogether satisfactory, be-
cause the thought suggests itself that
the time for remedy of the injustice may
be postponed until one Is gathered to
his fathers, and when he is not then
particularly interested in earthly history
or mundane affairs.
Il think the period for successful muck
raking is gradually drawing to a close.
| hope so. We must consider that the
ebulition in muck raking literature is
only one of the temporary excuses of the
times which is curing itself by firing
those whose patronage formed the mo-
tive for its beginning and rise.
Office Is Great Honor
THE presidency is a great office to
hold, 1t is understood. a great honor, and
is surrounded by much that makes it
full of pleasure and enjoyment for the
occupant, in spite of its heavy respon-
sbilities and the shining mark that II
presents for misrepresentation and false
attack. consider that the President OF
the United States is well paid. The salary
by no means measures the contribution
to his means of living which the gener-
osity of Congress has Afforded and unless
1t is the policy of Congress to enable
him in his four years to save money
enough to live in adequate dignity and
comfort thereafter, then the salary is not
all 1t ought to be.
of course the great and really the
only lasting satisfaction that one can
have In the administration of the great
office of President is the thought that
one has done som thing permanently
useful to his fellow countrymen. The
mere enjoyment of the tinsel of office
is ephemeral and unless one can fix
ones memory on real progress made
through the exercise of presidential
power, there is little real pleasure IN
the contemplation of the holding of it
Il beg you to believe that in spite
of the very emphatic verdict by which
leave the office. | cherish only the
deepest gratitude to the American peo-
pie for having given me the honor OF
having held office. and l sincerely hope
in looking back over what has been
done that there is enough of progress
made to warrant me in the belief that
real good has been accomplished even
though I regret that 1t has not been
greater.
my chief regret is my failure TO Sc
cure from the Senate the ratification Of
the general arbitration treaties with
France and Great Britain. I am sure
they would have been great steps toward
general world peace. What has actually
been done, I hope has helped the cause
of peace. I do not despair of ultimate
success. We must hope and work IN.
Somebody Always Gets Hurt
81 observe that the question Of how
receptions are to be accorded to those
who have business at the White House is
now under consideration, and | have been
considerably amused at the suggestion
that it would be possible to do the public
business in the presence of everybody
so that all who are interested might draw
near to the executive office and stand
and see and hear the communications
from those who enjoy appointed CONSUL
tations with the head of the nation. This
always settles down to an arrangement
which satisfies few, but allows those who
have the most important business gener-
ally to have the easiest access to the
President The President has just so
much time to see the people. No l1atter
what 1t is done 1t is said that somebody
toes are stepped on.
What are we to do with our ex-Presi-
dents? I am not sure DIR. Oslers method
with dealing with elderly men would
not properly usefully apply to the treat
ment of ex-Presidents. The proper and
scientific administration with chloroform
of the lotus tree might make a fitting
end to the life of one who had held the
highest office and at the same time would
secure the country from the trouble
some fear that the occupant could ever
come back 1t would relieve the coun-
try from the burden OF thinking now ne
is to support himself and his family,
would fix his place in history and enable
the public TO pass on to new measure.
I commend this method for consideration
About Mr.. Bryan
Il observe that our friend Mr.. Bryan
proposes another method of disposing of
our ex-Presidents. Mr.. Bryan has not
had exactly the experience of being a
dent three times, and possibly that quail
ifes him as an expert to speak of what
we ought to do with our ex-Presidents.
He has bsen very vigorous in this
campaign in helping to make me an ex-
President. and If / have followed with
accuracy his public declarations and his
private opinions. he is anxious to perform
the office of making my successor an ex-
President after one term. AS a War
wick and as a maker of ex-Presidents
think we should give great and respect
full consideration to his suggestion. In
stead of ending the presidential life by