The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-04
BY DAVID LAWRENCE. !.
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Hughes Course
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch To The Reformer.1 |
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, March 4. = With
flags and bunting hanging limp in the
drizzle of a dreary day, the administra-
ton of Woodrow Wilson came to som
bre end yesterday. Death casts its mel
ancholy shadow over the capitol where
Champ Clark, who might have been De
mocracy's leader in the trying years
since 1912, lies in state, mourned by all
who knew him irrespective of party. The
tragedy of a broken figure at the White
house is in the minds of passersby as
they look curiously at the executive
mansion where by the mandate of the
people a younger and vigorous man takes
up within a few hours the awful respOn-
sibilitieS OF government at n critical mo-
ment in American history, Jealousy
and bitterness over the defeat last aut-
umn have mellowed and the atmosphere
of the closing hours of the Wilson adj
miniStration * of course depression not
unmingled with the sincere hope that the
great desire of Woodrow Wilson fer n
partnership of nations to preserve peace
will be achieved and Yindication, much
more satisfying than electoral votes or
political offices, will come with the pass
ing of time.
Perhaps more significant than any
other thing about the ending of this
administration is the absolute confidence
of the outgoing officials that when Pres
idcnt Harding and Secretary Hughes be
gin to examine trSt-hand the facts of
our international relationship they Will
find themselves confronted on every side
H. hand which will mint
the way to American entrance into some
league of nations as the only way to
stand OH an equal footing with other
countries in the trying problems of world
reconstruction. Most of the cabinet of
iccrS and officials are happy to he re-
| lieved at last of the peculiarly harrass-
| ing difficulties which inevitably go with
war administration and which were
perhaps more buTdeuSome than at any
other time in history because of the co
| lossal nature of the European war and
| Americas signal part in winning the vie
/ tory.
Well-wishcs for their successors came
/ from the Inns of the Wilson officials.
| Typical. indeed. were the parting re-
marks Of Joseph L. Tumulty, secretary
To President Wilson. as he bespoke the
cooperation of the newspaper CORES
| pOndentS with the new secretary, George
| B. Christian. BE good to Christian.
said MIR Tumulty. its a hard Job and
YOU fellows can help him as you have
me- / have enjoyed every minute of the
| eight years. / have had fun and heart
| breaks Rich and poor alike came to the
| White house for aid, and as l look back
| over it. the most gratifying memory of
all is that / have been able to help dis
| treSsed individuals" There was a touch
| of emotion in Secretary Tumulty's voice
| as the newspaper men crowded around
him to shake hands to tell him he had
| ..,n4oI no aY.p'' in, his relations
| with them. With true optimism, how
ever. and with characteristic humor. Mr..
| Tumulty turned the conversation To a
"Reminiscences of the political side of the
administration.
! 1T is trudH he said with a smile.
| that | have played politics-but |
have played it everywhere except in the
| White house. Ny office assistants have
| been dealt with absolutely on their mer-
| it's" What Mr.. Tumulty said about the
personnel at the executive offices is of
| course true for when he came to the
| White house he made practically no
| changes. He kept most everybody who
| had been attached to the White house
| under the Republican administration.
| He brought only his private secretary
| and a clerk. The rest of the White house
| staff is virtually the same as it was on
| the day when President Taft said good
| bye.
| The cloud of impending change hangs
nevertheless over the personnel of the
entire government. Hints of reorgani-
cation are in the air. The peace time
machinery was dislOcated when the war
came and it really has never been read
| justed to fit the reconstruction period in
which the United States government will
| continue to be disconnected for gen
| Grafton.
The absence of enthusiasm, the seem
| ingly downcast spirit which character
ICES the national capital as it witnesses
the departure of the Wilson adminiStra-
ton will as readily change to an expect
ant and even buoyant atmosphere as
| Warren Harding and his friends and as
| sOciates take their places in the picture.
1t is true the inaugural ceremony is the
simplest in the memory of the present
generation. 1t is true that no parade or
celebration has been planned and that
from the country at large has come some
reflection of unsettled business conditions
which have to some extent cast their de-
pressing influenee on the inaugural
administration will endeayor with char
scenes But instead the new Republican
acteristic American optimism to radate
confidence. hoping that the promised re-
turn to normally will gradually be
achieved.