The Washington herald., 1914-07-12
DEMAGOGY RAMPANT.
National ci.i, in Federal Reserve
Board Appointments.

The issue at washington cannot be con-
fused by any attempt OF Dogbefrian Sem
ators to portray themselves as defenders
Of the constitutional prerogatives of the
| Upper House There Is but one issue:
ShA / demagogy stick its slimy rapier into
the bowels OF every capable person whose
services the. government can command
and by process Of eliminating good men
| hll responsible positions with half-oaked
Missionaries tobacco-chewing "hill-billies"
and one-gallus rednecks. OF shall edu-
Gated. abllity-proven. honorable and EN-
cient citizcns be permitted to contribute
/ TO the nation the services which in pri-
vste life have proved Invaluable?
II is a fight between efficiency and in
ennciency. responsibility and irresponsi-
biIity, capacity" and ineapacity. states
manship and insapient demagogy. II Is a
clash between institutional iconoclasts
and practical accomplishment II is a
conflict to determine whether the affairs
OF this nation shall be administered by
moIthing populists. visonaries, pap
seekers. political incendiaries. salary
grabbers, ochlocTats. muckrakers, or oy
citizens whose achievements warrant
trust in their motives and abilities. who
measure up in reputation to the high
standards OF the republic.
The President has the bit in his teeth
He is right 10 stick to his appointees. He
is right TO support Mr.. Warburg In his
refusal to be browbeaten and bullied and
haZ-d. He is right to insist that the COM
mittee be passed over and the question
submitted TO the entire Senate. that the
people Of this country may know whether
II acquiesces in the barren lttleness
which has characterized the activities Of
the committee. He is right to compel the
Senate TO show the country that II does
not ndorse the policy Of ostracising good
men because they have served in high
places, right to insist that even a New
York banker is entitled to decent treat
ment right to demand that the Senate
IcnOunce the doctrine that a mans con-
nection with big affairs makes him
criminal. right TO declare that acceptance
Of the vicious principle which has actu-
ated the COMMITTEES Is revolution in
American procedure and cannot be con-
templated with equanimity.
It is an issue worth fighting for. Let
Republican members beware II they play
poIitics- Their professions Of regard for
the public veal must be translated into
approval OF the Presidents effort TO as
sure proper administration Of the nerve
center Of credit about TO be instituted. 1t
will d" them no good to put the admins
tTaticn in a hole II they put the nation
Ia hole at the same time. II is an issue
arUve party; II is a time when all good
men are required by consciencs 10 come
70 the aid Of the Chief Executive.
There can be no shilly-shallying. Dema-
Eogy has reared its head in the very Cita-
del cf responsible government. II cannot
BE- compromised with. II must be dealt
a blow from which it will not recover in a
generation.
The confirmation of the Presidents ap-
pointees has become a national issue. The
rehabilitation Of business depends on his
sIrress in this case. II he fails who can
hay" any confidence in the administrative
boards with colossal powers which con-
t"mrlated legislation proposes? II the
Senate will not confirm good men. a Fed
'rsl Industrial commission becomes a
farce alb initiO. and there is the threat Of
o." maelstrOm OF politics en-ulfnG th-
Interstate Commerce Commission and all
other administrative bodies.
II II a crisis in the conduct Of the gov
ernmcnL crisis " hich the President has
fHlly Grasped. which thinking citizens
everywhere will understand. The "mbar-
rassed Banking and Currency Committee
may SmTk and stutter out excuses or
dcfenscs. but 1t stands pilIoried before
N" nation. Its insne sophistries condemn
il. Its obvious dcmaGogy is nauseating
Its acton must bc rrpudiated Babel is
asrayed against STANDARDIZATION
Public Ledger.