Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-02
Hoover's Florida Selection
Wins Popular Commentator

President Hoover's statement that Ap-
pointments must be based on merit, in
rejecting the demands OF the Florida
Republican organization, while naming
q district attorney for that state, Is
widely commended by members of both
political parties. Some critics Of the
opposition party, however, raise the
question whether he has maintained
this policy in other states, particularly
in Pennsylvania.
Were such a course followed in all
appointments to ONCE, high and low,
thinks the San Antonio Express Cinde-
pendent Deniocratic), 1.-The blight of pat
ronage would disappear, and the stand
ards OF public service be elevated. OF
course. the underlying principle Is old
and universally accepted; but applica-
ton Of the doctrine to the practical
business OF government Is another mat
ter" The Express recalls President
Jefferson's remark to Baron von Hum
boldt in 1907. which Abram 8. Hewitt
paraphrased into the familiar saying. "A
public Office is a public trust" and
adds so considered. no office rightly
may be used to reward a faithful CAM
paign servant or to strengthen the
political position of either individual or
party. When an Office is so used, or
when appointments are based on
grounds other than merit alone, the
peoples interests-which should be con-
sidered f1rst-almost invariably suffer. :"
This action on the part of the Pres
ident" in the opinion of the Newark
Evening News independently need not
be construed AS unwillingness to CO.
operate in the strengthening of the
Republican party in Florida. He de-
clared he wanted to cooperate with
the organization If the organization
presents candidates who measure up to
my requirements of public service " 3 I"
The success of the Republican party in
the South. and other States. for that
matter, rests upon good government,
Hoover cannot fail to leave an impress
that will deepen if the Florida patron
age program is made to apply gen.
orally"
Our patronage system" declares the
Santa Barbara Daily News Democrat
ic), sis hopelessly bad. Even at best, it
ties public Office too close to party ma
chinery and leaves too much power to
the party leaders. 1t permits other con-
sidera lions than good government to
have too high place in the filling of
done we'll to let the politicians and the
country know that he does not propose
to permit State political bosses to run
Government machinery"
1T happens that President Hoover
not only assumes that stand. but he
holds the fort says the Elmira Star
Gazette independently. with the ex-
could take no other stand" that sit is
one generally assumed by those who
| hold in their hands the disposition of
patronage" but the Star-Gazette pays
! the further tribute that "he has done ii
before, and he has not been shaken
/ from his position" The Worcester
Telegram independently Is impelled to
conclude from the incident that Mr.
Hoover is thus better President than
some of his supporters wished for"
1T is difficult at this distance" &C
cording to the Providence Journal Tin
dependent), ito appraise the qualif1ca-
F., tions of the six rejected candidates, as
compared with those of Mr.. Hughes, the
| Presidents final choice. But OF the
Presidents ultimate responsibility In
| such matters there can be no doubt;
nor can there be any hesitation In con-
demning the attitude said to have been
adopted by the Florida Repunilcan, &c or
ganization in favor OF It's unrestricted
privilege of choosing appointees."
| "Old-time line politicians In those
| States" suggests the Philadelphia Eve
ming Bulletin independent Republic
am, naturally conceive of their organ
izations as patronage dispensing, spoils,
distributing agencies. That has beer
the traditional attitude of Republican
organization politicians IN the south q
| crease the party vote, for the smaller
the vote, the easier organization con-
troll. For the same reason the coop
grafton Of independent and progressive