New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-04
The Democratic Propaganda Against
the President.

TIC IColNSiiAs
Democratic newspapers in close sympathy with
the administration are beginning to call attention
to q propaganda now being carried on within the
Democratic party against the President The
purpose Of this propaganda is to prevent Mr.
Wilson's denomination next year in case he should
become a candidate for second term. Most OF
the opposition is stealthy. but in the quarrel over
federal patronage which the Senate has picked
with the President the hostile influences have
been operating near enough to the surface 70 De
easily recognized.
The Tribune has severely criticised many Of
Mr. Wilson's policies We believe that he con-
tributed to hard times by greatly underestimate
ing the shock TO business of the tariff and trust
legislation which he forced through Congress
We think that his programme led unnecessa-
rilv 10 economic depression and unemployment
We feel that he has muddled the situation IN
Mexico and in the Philippines. But as between
Mr. Wison-whatever his mistakes-and the re-
dictionary elements in the Democratic party
which are now antagonizing him we are con-
WINGED that public opinion is overwhelmingly with
him. Like Mr.. Cleveland he is fortunate in the
enemies he has made within his own party
The President has to face the rancor Of the
Democratic spoilsmen with whom he has refused
TO come to terms That IS especially true in this
state where he has declined to recognize the pre-
tensions Of the mercenaries in control OF the
state organization. One of the most courageous
things which the President has done has been to
withhold patronage from Tammany Hall and 10
let Murphy 20 down to defeat in the city election
Of 1913 and in the state election of 1914, stripped
Of the pretence that everything here that was
regular and representative of Democracy had
been incorporated into Tammany. The baser ele-
nents of the party will never forgive his cold
ness to bosses in distress and it is their resent
nent which has fared out in the efforts of the
Senate to discipline him by practically taking the
power Of appointment out of his hands.
The President is absolutely right in resisting
the demand of the Senators that he shall get
their consent in advance before making nomina-
tons. Most Of the evils of our system of federal
patronage have grown out Of the fact that Sen
ators and Representatives have been allowed to
act as Office brokers. The responsibility OF the
President for appointments has thus been broken
down and state bosses have set up claim to dis
pose of federal patronage through the agency OF
Senators and Representatives. Patronage hunt
ING is a clog on the efficiency of the Senate
President Taft was wise enough to advocate the
covering into the protected service Of hundreds
OF the Offices now filled by Presidential appoint
ment That should be done as a means of purify
ing national politics. But until 1t Is done IT Is
essential that the President should have COM
nete freedom to appoint and should accept direct
responsibility for all appointments.
DisaTection over patronage was allied with
dissatisfaction over the repeal Of the tolls eXemp
ton paragraph of the Panama Canal law. On
that issue the President also exhibited courage OF
q high order-the courage 10 admit mistake anc
repair it. In retreatng from false position the
limited States showed that it was willing TO con
strue a treaty generously rather than 70 obtain q
certain advantage by quibbling over its terms
That was a moral victory which looms all the
larger now in view of the infamous scrap Of
paper" Interpretation recently put on the Belgian
neutrality treaty. The country owes Mr. Wilson
q debt Of gratitude for his manly stand for the
fulflment Of treaty obligations. Yet that stanC
marked the first break in the Democratic party
between him and the elements which are now In
triguing against him.
The voters may want 10 make change mex
wear in the national administration But the
Democratic politicians who are working to dis
credit Mr.. Wilson are greatly mistaken II they
think they can ever win the favor of the public by
contrasting their own methods and ideals with
.boee ~ the President.