The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1919-09-26
THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

A trump cara.
"Mr. Morrow, Republican candidate
for Governor, is playing more than a
smooth game of politics when. as he
did yesterday, he announces in adj
vance of the November election his
selection for important appointments.
1t is more than smooth, because
it is wise. Its wisdom lies in its
frankness, in its expression of a will
lingness on the part of a candidate
for office to tell the voters something
which they would like to know.
Heretofore the disposition of candi-
dates has been to puff the public hope
with unlimited promises, only to al
low the people to trust to luck and
then to be-surprised and disappoint-
ed!
A Governor must depend upon the
character of his assistants and agents
for the quality of his administration.
1t haYbeen long a practice to choose
those assistants and agents by the
low test of political utility instead of
by the high one of pre-eminent quail
fication.
Kentucky has suffered from strong
hopes and broken promises. Its
charitable and penal institutions have
too frequently been operated as poll
teal auxiliaries. rather than as real
asylums for the weak, real hospitals
for the sick or institutions for the
scientific handling of criminals. The
Board of Control may be a curse or
blessing. according to the disinterest-
ed service and abilities of its mem
bers. The names presented by Mr..
Morrow as his choice for the board
not only noticeably lack the odor of
political partisanship, but they are
of such character as to carry instant
assurance of ability and integrity.
Mr.. Morrow has played Strong
card.
In discussing Gov. Black and the
charitable and penal institutions. the
on Monday, Septem-
Der shit, said;
1T is well enough to pledge in !
general way the selection for the |
Board of Control, without regard to |
their politics, men and women of !
highest personal character and pecu-
liar fitness for work, but more |
specific statement of the methods in
tended to accomplish this would have |
been desirable. This commission, |
however, the nominee for Governor !
can adequately supply by announcing |
in advance the names of those whom |
he proposes to appoint to the boards |
1t is presumable that Gov. Black |
is not less sagaeious or less candid |
than Mr.. Morrow. If he Is to justi-
fly public support he cannot afford |
to let Mr. MOrrow's ingenious play |
go untrumped. The day is ripe for |
political regeneration, for new meth
DDS, for an appeal to popular conf |
dence, for the subordination of mere |
politics to the ideal of good govern
ment. Government is not originally
created to provide jobs for 1.-The boys"
but to carry on a great and lofty task
in a solemn spirit. More and more is
this the tune of the time.
1t is now not only Gov. Blacks |
turn. but his opportunity. 1t will
hearten his friends and strengthen
him in the estimate of the hesitant
who may fear Democratic victory |
for him, to announce his selection for
these important posts,
The Governor will speak promptly
If he means TO give Mr.. Morrow no
advantage in the pending contest; and
he will announce selections OF such
fine quality as to bring instant con-
viction to the public mind of good
faith. ability and high conscience in
the future conduct of the States in
situations.
.