Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-07

A complete departure from political
precedents which should raise the
standard Of Federal Office holders is
seen by most of the newspapers in
President Hoover's decision to make
public the names of persons and Or
CARNATIONS indorSing the men or wom-
en- selected for appointment.
President Hoover has demonstrated
once more" according to the Indianap-
oils Star independent Republican,,
Ibis conviction that public Office is en-
titled to the best ability obtainable,
especially for the judiciary. He has
sent to the Senate list Of nomina-
lions for Federal circuit and district
Judges, including 8 of 10 selections
made by Mr.. Coolidge which failed Of
confirmation. The President also took
the unprecedented course OF making
public the names of persons and or
carnations indorSing the selections for
these important places. This procedure
must seem rank heresy to politicians
who have even regarded Federal judge
ships as opportunities to pay personal
obligations and as so many places TO
be filled. Mr.. Hoover, too, has
discarded Office seekers in favor OF men
bearing the Endorsement OF the Attor-
new General, of bar associations ana
distinguished, impartial sponsors: HIS
course should increase commence
throughout the country IN the un.
doubted endeavor to make ability count
more than partisan service"
The purpose to "make judicial ap-
nointments non-partisan so far as pos
sible" has the approval of the New
York Times independently, which states
that at is only fair to say that the
nominations thus far made by President
Hoover live up to these specihcatlons.
In particular" continues the Times,
did his selection Of judges In New YORK
crafty not only the bar aSSociatlons
but the public by the proof which they
seemed to furnish of determination
to improve the personnel Of the Fed
eral courts in this district. 1t Is
bad for the bench to put unht men
upon it. and it is also bad for the party
that does it. A single case OF judicial
scandal, involving not only lmproprlety
but gross indiScretion, suspicion OF col
fusion and an itching for personal
favors, will do more harm to q party
responsible for 1t in year than can
be undone In a decade"
Little wonder that the politicians are
looking upon the President with some
what surly scowls," declares the Chat
tanooga News independent Democratlcl
as it records the employment OF the new
policy OF publicity Tor ndorserS. Inc
problem Of patronage" that paper adds.
"has always been the most vexing OF
presidential duties, perhaps largely be-
cause of the pressure so often brought
upon the Executive to select unworthy
oficials-presSure from men secure in
the knowledge that the responsibility
for a bad appointment was on the
President and not on them.
The new system does not please the
practical politicians But we imagine
the public will enjoy 1t very much"
THE appointing power cannot have
personal acquaintance Of all the names
that are presented" suggests the
Rochester Times Union independently
They are often numbered by scores
and they are scattered over wide sec
tons of the country. The in
dorsers will now be known. If
John Doe and Richard Roe are not
competent, honorable, exemplary Of
ficials, these gentlemen who recon-
mended them have misled and deceived
one who depended upon them for re-
| liable information"
"A great change is being worked
| quietly, but it is one of utmost i'm
portance," says the Oakland Tribune
J independent Republican,, with the
further comment upon the requirement
that party candidates for vacancies