Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-27
Goethals For Governor

Having created hundreds Of new political Jobs for
the hungry and impatient Democracy, congress is now
turning it's collective eyes toward the Panama canal
zone, where a civil government is to be set up within
a few months. Here is a rich and inviting field for
political exploitation, as a former President found
out. There will be a number of easy places with the
high salaries that usually are allotted to those who
so overseas for the government. 1t appears to have
Aecome G settled policy to pay employees considerably
more when they go out of the country, and this policy
s 70 bcs continued in Panama.
The evils that will attend such a program o.
scans TO have been adopted by Congress in regard to
tho government Of the canal zone have been antici-
Eated by that remarkable man, Colonel George y.
Goethals. The builder of the canal has shown that
he is not only a great engineer, but is a splendid
organizer and administrative officer, as well. He was
called upon to take charge of the canal work after it
had beet confused and delayed by numerous political
appointees under theSsystem inaugurated by Presi.
dent Roosevelt. 1t will be remembered that the orig.
inal canal commission appointed by Roosevelt was
made up of political favorites, not one of whom, It
proved. knew anything about the building Of a canal
or had had any experience in living in the tropics.
fsAllAthe immense work that was done in clearing the
fever-infesteds zonesof its many deadly diseases, the
preliminary survey and the actual construction OF
the canal, came under the supervision of army engi-
neers, who were not politicians and who met and con.
quered difficulties that bafded the politicians them.
selves. OF late years very little has been heard, about
the Panama commission which never did amount
to much and has cost a great deal.
1t has occurred to Colonel Goethals that a horde
Of eager politicians now await the time when the
army engineers will withdraw from Panama, and that
it would be a sad mistake to turn over this valuable
property to political incompetents. Therefore, he has
requested that he be retained as civil governor for a
time3 in order to set things running smoothly under
civil administration. OF course, such a thing il not
to be thought Of among the politicians in Washington,
where q score or more Of Democrats are waiting for
the &drd that will sendsthem to Panama as govern.
ment Officials. This plum tree is too tempting to sc
neglected until the fruit ripens and falls to the fround.
The people of the United States are anxious 70
reward Colonel Cocktails IN any way that would seem
lifting. He has done a wonderful thing and the
nation. is proud Of him. There are dozens of oppor.
tunities for Goethals to gain advancement and further
renown. He s'being sought after by foreign nations
with great engineering projects in view. Therefore,
there can be nothing selfish in his desire to remain
in Panama for awhile longer, and there he should
stay. He has proved his right to administer the at
fairs of the zone and there is no better man any
where for the Job. The politicians in Washington
ougM not to be permitted to profit at the exnense
Of tits immense government project, and II President
Wilson is sincere IN his advocacy Of merit In high
places he will be more than glad that Colonel Goe-s
thaaescan .oe secured for the goyernorship OF the
caxkA1sone