Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-11
any limit to the credulityo Of that
patient ass. tho public"

Frederic Hsskin, In letter pub
lished h. Every Evening last week.
told OF the arrival OF new Congress
men in Washington, ard how certain
mediocrities would swell like toy ball
looms merely because for the tiroe be-
ing they held commission to rep
resent a certain sectioo of their re-
spective commonwaalths.
There is no doubt that the medioc-
rites are in the vast raaioIity in
Washington. There are probably not
more than five Senators who can rank
as men of great talent, aud possirly
not more than two who could 5e called
great men," Ard ous of those has
an oteession on a cettain subject aud
therefore is regarded as a jactxass By
persons who otherwise would pay
tribute tn his mental powers. In the
House commonness falls over itself
You do not need the fingers of both
bands to tally this seniuSes. They
are prominent bv their absence.
Even our President, it win be re-
neuFersd, was hailed by his own sup
rorters as nothing bat ar. average
rnan" wher he was ~ornirated by his
arty. 1t is true that ar Harding
was little above the commonplace
:hen; but he has grown since accept
irg office. He is a fair executive. a
pa lent. painstaking. hard laboriug
man who is trying TO handle his
job in the best manner. 1t is
Iossible for the wheel of politics TO
place in the White House men not
nearly SO able as he; 50 therefore we
should be thankful that the gods have
been kind thus far.
This recalls Joseph PuItzer's retort
when a certain President made a very
scathing remark about his pape-.
The President of the United states
's but an incident-this paper Is an
institution"
It is sad, but true, that in the ma
jority Of cases our best men do not
enter politics. James Bryce discov-
e~ed this years ago. and discussed the
fact at length in his 1nouunrnt.I
work, Tho American Common
wealth" The r4ost able men that VIC
nave in Arpsrica-vIth an infritos.-
NAL '.unllse- ~ oxceptions-ars found
n business. the professions. a,-.. the
~rts. The political arens within the
,'ast two generations has become 50
sordid that the average roan does not
wish e rrake vocation Of politics.
It is the politicians, OF course, who
lave doubl:- fouled their own nests.
The average one is mediocrity whom
chance and ''pull" have thrown onto
the sands of a tinscl fame. Charles
Edward Russell. formerly the city cai-
.or Of the New York World, in one Of
his books dealing with politics. writes
Interestingly Of the scores of politi-
clans whosn he knew personally. With
but az exception or SO they impressed
hin By their littleness. one of his most
stories was that Of GER
tain governor Of New York, who
never learned the value OF truth.
This gentleman when he wished to
sound public opinion. would give a
statement to the press. If the public
agreed, all well and good. If the
newspapers and their readers dis
agreed. then he would shout from the
chimney pots that he had been mis-
quoted. Finally the Associated Press
refused TO accept any statements from
:im unless they We're made in the pres
ence OF two A. p. reporters. In that
manner the gertleraan was prevented
rom lying 70 the papers. at leas..
The main trouble with our poll
,;cians today IS a Moat..9 self-in-
portaEce which 3 ridiculous to others.
\ mar i not great merely 1.oause he
IS q Senator or a Congressman. The
act Of taking the oath CT office does
not invest him with experimental
powers. Il anything, it lessons what
little power he has. because his ego
ism flares up and therefore he be-
ONES an easier target for those
Tho oppose hiIn AID his policies.
There is only o.'e vay in which l.
purgs our political life q the rledioc-
titles which choke it: that IS 70 drive |
hem out by the introduction of /
,ctter class OF mer. But it Is very hard
g induce the strong man Of great /
to accept political Office.
Mere public aonors arc not for hinl: /
1h! he does not care 70 serve along 4
.ide Of men Of doubtful reputation.
Occasionally the public induces such