The Washington herald., 1913-11-28
With the Political Procession.
By r. b. G.

Dudley Field Malone was a much point
ed out young man during the White
| House wedding festivities, not so much
because he has just been given the best
Federal job in New York. or because he
is the son-in-law of Senator O'Gorman,
but mainly for the reason that ne took
hold with rather familiar expressions,
promises, and declarations about ''clean
politics. and high ideals"-reorganiza-
ton of the dear old Democratic party.
and all that sort of stun. The old line
Democrats in New York who put Father
in-law O'Gorman in the Senate for six
years, and did much to put Democratic
President in the White House, are a
trifie weary when they hear the ideal
proposition advanced with the high-brow
eloquence that has been heard year after
years since the days of Croker, and ever
since Tweed's domination OF Manhattan.
The intensely practical young Democrats
of New Jersey, who were startled to find
| themselves in Congress after the cleo
tions of El0 and 1872 are not much given
| to ideals or an excess Of zeal for the
lofty political plans of the Malone sort.
They are actual politicians, looking for
the best of it, and possibly they smiled
when they beheld Wittpen, the new
naval officer of the New York Customs
House. announcing approval Of the Ma
| lone ideals and lofty demands for cleaner
politics in New York.
Wittpen was appointed from New Jer-
sey. and was backed up by the hard
headed Democrats of the delegation who
came to Washington in his behalf.
They didn't talk much about Ideals
and clean politics." or any reorganiza-
tion Of the party in Jersey during the
short stay of wittpen In Washington
awaiting the Presidential autograph on
his commission. OF course the Wittpen
eloquence, and taking hold OF a new
Federal Job may have been for the sake
of an impression at the White House,
hut the business-like Democrats of his
home organization in and out OF Con-
gress wink the other eye and admit that
the Hon. Otto is taking hold in the right
way.
Political washington-and Washington
is all political-does not view very
seriously the suggestion coming from
Connecticut that William H. Taft may
be chosen a member OF the Republican
National Committee. succeeding Charles
F. Brooker, resigned. The recent President
ana eN-OUlClO nero OI lllt dAlN A4os haAN
" become a legal citizen OF his adopted
state as he became a resident only last
March, but a mere teChniCality of that
sort would not worry the Nutmeg
brethren, and there would be real joy
among old-fashioned Republicans the
country over to see Judge Taft take an
active part in politics, and learn some
thing of the business. He had but a
couple of years in actual political work
before going on the bench and his first
real effort in a campaign was when he
LOYALTY sought to elect four delegates for
Chester A. Arthur in 1884. Taft was the
Collector of Internal Revenue appointed
by Arthur and in those old days the col
lector was the mighty political power in
Cincinnati. He failed TO deliver the goods
as his two Congressional districts were
dominated by John Sherman Republicans.
and after that defeat Taft was rather
languid in political performance Foraker
put him on the bench three years later
and there was a rapid unbroken success
sion Of appointments from that time until
election as President-the second election
of the Taft career. Possibly some of the
vigorous real Republicans up Connecticut
way may prefer a more practical actual
politician than the late first citizen OF
Ohio. and with Brandegee seeking another
Senatorial term, the State organization
will make a few suggestions before the
Brooker vacancy is filled. The election
will be on December in Hartford and
before that date there will be a quick
but careful going over OF able Repub-
licans who have intimated willingness
to take the Brooker place IN the national
organization.
Now that Chapman Grant, grandson of
Gen. Grant, has entered the regular army
by the examination route, possibly hoping
for war. it is remarked that the Grants
have never inclined much to politics, but
preferred the soldiers uniform.
Gen. Grant was never a politician, and
won the Presidency only because Of his
war record.
Gen. Fred Grant his eldest son, was
nominated for mayor of New York few
years back as a matter of sentiment, but
it failed to win.
Other sons of the great general tried
politics in a modest way. but without
success They all admitted it was not in
the blood. and declared that the soldier
spirit could never get in touch with
political methods.
President Grant did not hesitate TO ap-
point relatives TO office, knowing they
could get Office no other way, and he
even appointed his own father as post
master in Kentucky.
This was not good politics, but Grant
admitted he was not a politician and