The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-29
Mr.. Ford's Candidacy.

In behalf Of HENRY FoRD. n candi-
date for the senate on the Democratic
ticket In Michigan, 1t is urged that he
Is n successful manufacturer who has
acc umulated great fortune, that he
has supported the Government Loyalty
since the United States decided to de-
fend itself against German aggression.
and that President WILSON wants him
In the Senate.
So far as Mr.. WILSON'S preferences
are concerned. it may be said with
entire respect and propriety that
the members of the Senate should be
chosen to represent the States from
which they come, and not the Execu-
tive Department OF the United States
Government, or any individual Office
holder Hereunder. Michigan, not
WOODROW WILSON, should speak and
! vote through the Senator to be elected
in that State on November j. Failure
to bear this fact in mind may lead to
serious consequences: 1t Is apparent
that If the Presidents desires are TO
dominate Michigan, they may likewise
dominate other States, until the Sen
ate Is reduced to the condition of a
personal appendage to the Executive
We're there merit in the argument that
Mr.. FORD should be elected because
Mr.. WILSON wants him in the Senate,
it would obviously be in order to in
stitue the process Of ejecting from the
Senate members whom the President
does not want there.
Mr. FORD has supported the Govern
ment Loyalty since we entered the war.
That IS granted. But does that fact
constitute valid reason for seating
him In the Senate? II 1t does, the
Senate should be enlarged to accom-
nodate all the other business and pro-
fesslonal men who have supported the
Government loyalty; that Is 10 say. all
American business and professional
men except that infinitesimal number
who have proved disloyal. Mr.. FORD
| has done as much as thousands of
other men to make his loyalty effec-
tive, but there are thousands who
have done more. Mr.. FORD has put
his plant at the service of the Gov
eminent. but he has offered no blood
to the war. The mobilization of in
dustrleS that has been effected does
not depend on Mr.. FORD. Had there
been no HENRY FORD it would have
been put in operation. Had HENRY
FORD refused or neglected to contrib
ute TO II, he would have been COM
PEELED to contribute to II. In this
operation HENRY FoRD has received
an unfair amount u praise, compared
with that which has been bestowed
on less persistently advertised Amerl-
can patriots, whose sons as we'll as
whose factories are now serving the
American people.
There are many other manufactur-
| ers In America who started life with
nothing more than Mr.. FORD had and
have accumulated fortunes, but no.
body thinks those facts entitle them to
seats in the Senate. Everybody knows,
In fact, that this test would be indig-
nantly repudiated, II an effort we're
made to incorporate 1t into our po-
litical system. Success in business
does not and never will afford Il
standard by which to estimate a mans
suitability for political Office.
In short, no sound reason is ad-
vanced why Mr., FORD should be elect
ed to the Senate from Michigan.
Against Mr.. FORD as candidate for
the Senate there Is one supreme and
overwhelming fact that cannot be ig-
nored. Amlable and generous though
Mr.. FORD Is, he has given proof in his
own conduct In public affairs that he
is densely ignorant of history. com.
pletely uniformed as to the processes