Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-20
HOW LONG WILL HE LASTf

HOW LONG WILL HE LAST
It is evident that Secretary Of the
Treasury Mellon is the one member
OF President Harding's cabinet who is
persona non grata to tho Republican |
ma jority OF the Congress and Repub-
lican politicians generally. For while |
he may be as good Republican as
any OF them. he is not enough Of n
partisan to suit their purposes. In n
word, Secretary Mellon has regard for
the public service and believes 1t
should have first consideration in the |
administration OF his important office.
Secretary Mellon drew the hostile
fire OF the partisans when he told plain
facts about the bonus proposition, and
showed not only what an expensive
thing It would be. but how fallacious
was tho contention that 1t could be
provided for without adding more
taxes upon an already protesting pub
lie. This displeased the partisans
who desired the bill passed for par
tisan effect, regardless OF all other
consequences. Next he has melted
their bitter hostility because he would
not authorize the dismissal of nu-
merous well framed and efficient sub
ordinates in his department, 10 make
room for their political workers. thus
meeting their partisan obligations.
They charged that one OF the Urea
sury Department bureaus was con-
trolled by Democratic ring" and
this charge melted Secretary Mellon
to public reply. IN which he said:
1.-THE statement is so false and
for the most part ridiculous that
in ordinary circumstances I should
hesitate to take notice of It.
: THE affairs OF the treasury are
Of too great Importance 10 allow
OF interference with its proper
conduct through the introduction
. Of petty politics. This department,
particularly the collection OF the
revenues and the handling of the
public debt, must be conducted
on business principles and kept
free at all times from detrimental
influences.
The administration Of the trea-
sury IS in the hands of Republ.-
cans and is governed by Republi-
can policies. Those Democrats who
hold positions in the treasury have
been retained because OF their
l. qualifications for the Offices they
hold, and 1 have no evidence Of
Il partisan activity on their part"
l. The Harding administration has no
~ much TO boast OF, but It ought TO taxi
= pride in the firm attitude OF Secretar,
u Of the Treasury Mellon In bidding de
" fianoe 10 the spoilsmen of his party
x He ha. in view an administration o
/ his Office which will be of benefit {
i the country. They look only to III
Offices as rewards for party henchmer
regardless of their capacity for per
forming the duties of the importan
ie places in a proper manner.
lie II is probable, however. Secretar
n Of the Treasury Mellon will have to g
D. before long. The rabid partisansV wi
e make his official life a burden. II
Il seems more like a man who would /
IN AT homo in Cleveland or a Wilso
or administration. Under. the Harding az
d. rninistration those who regard publ
ne Office as public trust will find r
H. favor with the representatives. Of IL
al Republican party IN Congress. Ar
Oh the cabinet officer who incurs the no
co. tility Of the spols hunters will f1r
I'LL his official berth no bed of roses.