The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-03
Press Comment
In For a Hot Row.

In the chaotic political conditions
incident to the approaching demo-
cratic convention there comes no indi-
cation as to the trend that convention
will take either as to it's platform or
as to it's candidate.
Possibly, there never were so many
men mentioned as possible candidates,
for the nomination by the party. as at
the present time. Each state, or at
least very many Of them, presents a
name. associations have been formed
to further the interests of this or that
man, the mails are flooded with pre-
convention propaganda, but out of it
will be the party's standard bearer, or
what declaration of principles the party
will make through it's national conven-
ton.
Both the democratic party and the
republican party are at sea.
That there is to be a fight Of pro-
portions in the national democratic
convention goes without saying. The
presidents persistence in insisting on
ratification of the covenant Of the
League of Nations without change,
will undoubtedly make the covenant an
issue before the convention. whether
it will be an issue in the Forthcoming
campaign or not. That there will be a
hot fight on any attempt to insert a
plank approving OF the ratification,
without reservations, OF the Versailles
treaty, is beyond question, with the
outcome very much in doubt
Mr.. Bryan is going to the conven-
ton and the straws in the air indi-
cate that the political winds on the
question of wet or dry plank in the
platform are getting in toward a hur-
ricane. He is going to San Francisco,
loaded for bear. and that he will ere
ate fight may be accepted as a fore
gone clusion.
How party harmony can come from
the divergent interests to be repre-
sented. is a mystery. Mr.. Bryan has
condemned as unfit many Of the best
men in the party and he will oppose
their nomination, with all his ability.
President Wilson will insist that the
League Of Nations be made an issue
and the administration forces in the
convention are to be reckoned with.
The spirit that sends men to the
convention to fight rather than to seek
common ground with their fellow DEM
ocrats, ground on which all might unite
and win a victory, seems to be lacking.
Delegates are going with their fighting
clothes on, with a determination to
win.
If, out of all that pother, turmoil and
divergence Of opinion there can. come
reasonable platform that will COM
mend itself to the American people. IL
out OF all that struggle there comes a
nomination that the American people
can respect, it will be the party's good
fortune. But IL that is ACCOMPLISHED
there will have to be an altogether diff
ferent temper displayed by the dele
gates than now appears.-Miami
Herald.
Efficiency as Relates to State Officials.
1t is well that we place special stress
on personnel as regards candidates for
state office. Character, fitness and
efficiency are a trinity of graces that
should characterize every man who
aspires to office. Character is essen
tial, but something else is needed.
Let us apply the same standards
that rule in business in our selection
of men to hold high office. Ineffi-
cheney in business will disqualify men
of the highest character. 1t should do
SO in politics.
Fitness for office is extremely desir-
able, but the term is so elastic it is
difficult to give it an accurate defini-
ton. A candidate for state office
might have character and efficiency
ana yet not tit into the position as he
should. For instance, he might con-
III - -
isfactory manner and yet be lacking in
tact IN association with other state
olIicers In board work. 1t will be seen
the more one delves into this question,
the more there is to learn.
some offices that are purely routine,
IA winch there is little demand for
nign executive ability, can easily be
fliied, because the duties are light and
quickly mastered. If it is desired TO
reward men with office for favors done
the state or any individuals thereof
iet the distinction be made as to the
class OF offices that shall be so dis
posed of.
rake the offices OF state treasurer
ana comptroller. Here the need for
lnen OF high executive type is mani
leSI Inc state treasurer must be a
man or probity. No man disputes this
0ut ne must be more than that. He
must De man whose talents and ex-
peIience especially qualify himself for
TINS important office. Clear and un-
o'aseo judgment is an absolute neces-
siey IN order to properly conduct the
duties Of this office.
IN the cast Of the comptroller's Of
ice the need for experience and spe-
ciai executive skill is even more pro-
nounced- The office of comptroller in
: iorioa is very comprehensive and
embraces duties which, in other states
are distributed among four or five de-
partments, all separate and distinct.
Inc state comptroller has charge of
upwards OF zoo banks About 10000
automobile licenses are issued from his