Evening star., 1932-11-27


For the seventh time in American
history the people have defeated a
President nominated for reelection
after four-year term. And by the
electoral system four months will elapse be-
tween election day and March 4, when PreSi-
dent Hoover will hear the knock of the new
conner at the White House door.
Echoes of the drums Of the World War
have already provided a counterpoint for new
scene on the presidential stage.
Great Britain anC France recently sought
two things from the United States. First
conference to reduce their war debts; second,
another moratorium pending such reduction.
President Hoover realized his actions would
bring repercussions in the administration OF
President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt. There
was no precedent for procedure. Mr.. Hoover
established his own-and invited Mr. Roosevelt
to the White House last Tuesday for con-
ference on the war debts situation.
The drama of character is intense in this
move. Many praise Mr.. Hoover for his mag
nanimity as evidenced by his invitation. Others
assert he is trying to pass the burden to the
shoulders of his successor, so that the latter
might be blamed if steps taken in regard to
the debts prove faulty.
But be that as it may-friends of President
Hoover say he is happier man since the
vicissitudes of campaigning past, and thus
has Mr.. Hoover begun the drama of his last
few months Of Office
Months to 6rive incomplete projects to fin
ish-to regret-or to become resigned. The
man in the street wonders how the Chief
Executive feels toward his position when he
realizes his efforts may be but scrbblings in
water after the new administration takes Office.
The drama of four months in the past en-
quilted John Adams John Quincy Adams,
Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland Benjamin
Harrison ard William Howard Taft. No two
of them took the same role
Defeat embittered John Adams. We see him
seated at his White House desk only few
days before Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson
in 1901. His jaw is set with firm resentment.
There is the look of the trapped animal making
his last stand in his eye. He is afdxing his
signature with a Quill pen to the famous mid
night appointments"
Establishment of a national judiciary had
been provided by FederaliSt-maneuvered bill.
Life tenure after presidential appointment for
judges was stipulated in effort to circumvent
the expected radicalism of jefferson Adams
seized the ninth hour opportunity to insure
Federaist control of at least the judicial branch
OF the Government and appointed Federalists
to the judgeships in % Circuit Courts, each
Of which had three judges His appointments
also included several justices of the peace in
the District of Columbia.
One of these appointments exceedingly
wise one, it later proved, whether motivated by
resentment at defeat or not-was that of John
Supreme Court. Through this appointment,
Federalist influence continued long after the
party had lapsed into insignificance
The last blows struck for the cause of a
defeated party by Adams are well illustrated,
too, by the naming of two of the Congressman
who supported the bill establishing the judiciary
to important judgeships
The midnight appointments" did not ap-
pease Adams wrath, however. When the night
of March 3 came, all his belongings had al
ready been carried from the White House.
Without waiting to greet the new President
Adams took to carriage by night and left
historian recounts Thus it was that on the
night of March g. 1901, the United States actu-
ally had no Chief Executive.
Adams bitterness might be condoned how
ever. His political defeat he could have laid
to political betrayal within his own party
Three members of his cabinet did not like
him. They were Secretary of State Thomas
Pickering, Secretary Of the Treasury Oliver
Wolcott and Secretary of War James McHenry.
Through these men reports of President Adams
personal indiscretions and jealousies were borne
to his political rival, Alexander Hamilton, who
wrote them into a manuscript that ended up
urging reelection of Adams Although Ham
ilton decided not to use his writings, they
fell into the hands of Aaron Burr, also can
didate at that time who published them, and
Adams defeat followed
NEFEAT crushed Adams son. John Quincy
- Adams, who was rejected for reelection
in November OF 1928
The following month, when approached on
the subject of taking a seat in the Senate
from Massachusetts, John Quincy Adams shook
his head sadly-"I shall go only into the deep