The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-01-01

naturally a leader of men, is never
without plenty to do to occupy his
time But "presidenting" is no job
for a sick man, and doubtless most of
the misfortunes that are coming upon
President Wilson are due to the fact
that he has been shut out from con-
tact with friends and advisers. Wash
ington credits the story that the init
mate friendship between the president
and Colonel House, no longer exists.
In the Mexican disturbance Secretary
Of State Lansing had to frame his own
policy since he was unable to see the
president; and the result has been
nil. Secretary of the Interior Lane
will resign doubtless because he finds
himself out Of sympathy with admin
istration affairs. Mr.. Lane is regarded
as the strongest man in the cabinet,
and it Is deemed very unfortunate that
he should leave his post, and maybe
he wouldn't If he had not been out
of touch with the president for so
long a time. Dr. Garfield used rare
good judgment in handling the coal
strike, and when he got through Pre5i-
dent Wilson haded him a lemon in
place of the croix de guerre. Dr.
Garfield said he would have been sus-
tanned by the president if he had been
able to see and talk with him, and
then, he too, resigned Even the dem
oi,,,,
their unrest; and as well men they
take the position, hard as ii is, that
they have been licked, and now they
want the best compromise that can
be effected, to close the peace treaty
over a year ago the war actually
stopped, but officially it is in full
swing. The democratic senators know
that the basic structure of the peace
treaty, and the league Of nations, can
be saved, and they are ready to so
to it. But the president says no. And
the president has been almost as in
accessible as the spot described in
astronomy as point in the northern
sky around which the heavens seem
to revolve." For particulars consult
Peary and Cook
It is perhaps just as natural for
a president as anyone else to be sick,
but it is a lot more inconvenient
Some presidents might have turned the
job over for the time being to an
astute, wise and able vice-president,
such as is Mr.. Marshall. But the pres
ent president never lets loose on his
presidency, wherever ne may be, at
home, abroad, or closeted in his sick
room.
There has been a lot of lying about
the president and his condition. But
most Of this was doubtless born Of
those kin gossipers, Mystery and Con-
Germ. The actual condition of the pres
ident was undoubtedly truthfully told
in the statements by the attending
physicians. Everybody will be de-
lighted to know that Mr. Wilson ap-
pears to be recovering steadily, and
in all probability he will be at his
desk again in one, two or three weeks
so that he can look again at the whites
OF mems eyes his own vision will be
little clearer. Mr.. Wilson demon
strates many things as he goes on
his way, and he has not failed to put
lot of emphasis on the observation
that valetudinarians should be content
to leave their own affairs in the hands
of the doctors, and the affairs of the
country in the keeping of we'll men.
But since, we are assured. he is soon
to become himself again" the capital
will welcome him to his return Of
actual leadership by the first-hand
method instead of through the handi.
cap under which he has suffered in
so many ways.
Herbert Hoover and some of his
associates have bought one of the
Washington daily newspapers, and the
curious wonder why? An inquisitive
reporter asked Mr. Hoover if he would
be a candidate for the presidency, and
the deponent answered nay. Never
theless, there Is suspicion that the
former food administrator has bee
in his bonnet. There are swarms of
presidential bees flying around, and
their stail-stingers have stuck in many
spots. Mr.. Gerard, former ambassa-
dor to Germany, has filed his inten-
tions in South Dakota Mr.. McAdoo
doubtless has his weather vane up.
Champ Clark has an idea that Mr..
Wilson has been keeping his seat
warm for eight years, and he feels that
it is time he occupied the cushions.
General Leonard Wood, he "who never
opened his mouth without putting his
foot in it," has his hat in the ring,
and wants to be nominated because
he was "Roosevelt's friend" Senator
Hiram Johnson says, 81 saw him first"
and because he was for the Colonel,
and peppery about the treaty, and for
various other reasons Of his own,
wants the Republican nomination for
president. Senator Harding of Ohio,
and Senator Poindexter of Washing.
ton, are willing to be standard bear