Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-12-16
WEALTH AND OFFICE.

DoBERT J. WYNNE, formerl
~ American consul general a
London quotes an English ear
thus.
VIII you tell me why It is that
your great and rich government
a democracy a nation that stands
for simplicity sends abroad only
men Of enormous wealth? I do
not mean to detract from the
great ability and culture of your
ambassador, I don't want to Of
fend you, but people like myself
are astonished at the exhibition Of
private wealth given under the
flag which stands for simplicity
and unostentatiousnes
70 finish with the text, we set ont
Mr.. Wynn's comment:
He went on to say that It would
be far more acceptable to the
English people to welcome as
American ENJOYS men who had
won distinction in their own coun-
try by ability alone Here is Pres
ident-elect Wilson's opportunity to
return to the old American meth
cd OF appointing men Of brains,
who can represent their country
ably on what the country gives
them for their services, and avoid
using the diplomatic service ms n
means Of repaying campaign con-
tributions.
There is an intlmatlon that the gov
ernmont ought to pay more. Certainly
1t should pay for whatever an ambas-
sador may be fairly required to do Il
cannot afford to be pcnsloncr on the
bounty of any rich man. But, even
as 1t Is, the American ambassador 70
the British or any other court can
live as an American gentleman. This
used to be the rule. and not so long
ago Bayard Lowell and Adams-to
20 no further back-made no effort to |
rival much less surpass, royalty. Yet !
they were admired and respected by i
the English, And their influence was Il
greater than that Of Whilelaw Reid, !
Great Ben Franklin was the most pop-
ular representative we ever had in
France. 4
We have in truth drfted into n very n
bad way Of doing things. Both hero b
ana abroad we have greatly over !!
emphasized the social side Of the gov "
'rnment 1t is often said--sometime b
by people who should know better. g,
hat men with no independent fortunes a
md small salaries "must do Ger Il
ain things So we put sort Of pres u
inre on our public servants. As
natter of fact men in public office ''
'ave no right to live beyond their
means And surely we should not
elect rich men simply that they may
% the things which we are told &c
must" be done &c
There has been quite enough of this III
ourt business at WASHINGTON. and
wish display in connection with our >
mbnssies. 1t is to be hoped that the III
ew president win throw the Influence o.
his example on the side Of dlgni- me
ed simplicity The country does not p'
'slre any Haunting Of demacracy 0''
ny Haunting Of anything Rut there ia
'c such things as American tradition Oh
nd ideas, and we should be loyal to
Iem This nation stands for some OF
ing socially as well as politically. OIL
IHclal pomp is hostile to the very
MUS of it's life DR. Lieber long ago SaI
gued that oven fine public buildings Mo
dlcated weakening devotion TO In len
IT, reminded us that the Rome Of era
lex was free and the Rome of mar q.
o enslavcd Pol
Mr. Wilson can do, II not much. nj Ni
'st something TO make simplicity
'hionablo A few years ago the whole '
mtry reioccd at the mere intima- "'
n that Or Eliot might be appointed ''''
to Great Britain. That A
6 a cheering symptom. The people tha,
uld, we believe. welcome a return doc,