Evening star., 1923-02-24
EDITORIAL DIGEST

Dispatch GndependenD, which feels
that "the whole trouble arose out OF
Mr. Reily's inability to work in har-
mony with the unionist party or Porto
Rico, whose moderate and loyal pro-
gram he chose to interpret as radical
and disloyal. He proved himself
temperamentally unfit for the delicate
he was confronted. There was not
the slightest necessity for this un-
pleasant controversy, and now that
it is closed with victory for the Porto
Rico unionists, it is to be hoped that
every effort will be made to remedy
the situation as he leaves It. BY
failing earlier to demand the resis-
nation President Harding carried
loyalty to personal appointee as
far as any man could be expected to
carry it," the New Orleans Times
Picayune (democratic) points out.
Administrations governors
of colonies or dependencies may he
good men in their respective ways.
and yet be wrongly placed IL they fail
to win the confidence, good VIII and
cooperation OF the people over whom
lacked some part of the essential
qualification for the delicate and i'm
portant duties of the Porto Rican post
was made tolerably apparent months
ago. He may have excellent qualities
for all we know, but in that case
the President should have transferred
him to a. service suited to his quail
cations
president Harding cannot undo
the damage done American prestige
among Porto Ricans by this appoint
ment." the Boston Transcript (inde-
pendent republican, is convinced. be-
cause the people Of Porto Rico have
been made to pay Mr.. Harding's per-
sonal debt to Mr.. Reilly for political
services rendered. 1t was known at
the time he was appointed that Mr..
Reilly was utterly unqualified for the
position. If he had received his just
deserts he would have been dismissed
from office more than year ago. He
may be able to save his face, but his
record in Porto Rico will stand as
warning to future Presidents who
may be tempted to pay personal debts
for political services as Mr.. Reilly
was paid-at the expense of the help
less people of Porto Rico" The orig
inai selection was unhappy" the
Columbus Ohio State Journal (re-
publican) points out, that fact be-
Reilly reached the island. That he
would have to be replaced by an
other man has been well known for
months. No administration could be
justified in facing the opposition that
was in evidence against the man. 1t
dent that permitted Reilly the last
year of his service in his position.
There was quite enough reason for
a change more than year ago" In
quitting his post the Detroit Free
Press (republican) feels "he is con-
serving the interests of the island as
much as his town. Reilly may have
been actuated by the best intentions
in the world in all that he has done
in Porto Rico. but it remains true
that he has been a misfit, and we
fancy soWe explanation of the reason
is provided in the text of his letter
of resignation. II the tone is the
sample of the tone Reilly used in
managing the diplomatic part of his
duties in Porto Rico, no wonder he
failed to mako a favorable impress
sion." To which the Wilkes-Barre
Record independently adds, "Mr Reilly
seemed to be particularly unqualified
by disposition to lead the natives into
acceptance of United States admins
tration."