AMERICA'S NEW PRESIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 287, 26 April 1913, Page 9

AMERICA'S NEW PRESIDENT

INAUGURAL" ADDRESS." San Francisco, March IC. The inauguration of President Wilson at Washington oh March 4 was the most brilliant ceremony of its kind that had been seen in the national capital for a, generation (says the Auckland Herald's special) . The ceremony was carried out on the great esplanade in front of the Capitol. The greatest crowd ever seen in Washington gathered to witness the swearing-in of the Democratic President., Mr. Wilson, in his inaugural address/ delivered the shortest, though possibly the most impressive, speech of the kind that has ever been listened to in this country. It was full of promise for the future, and the keynote was the purification of the national character and the uplifting of the people. The President arraigned the American passion for haste, and declared that the country had gone ahead in its pride of industrial achievements without stopping to count the cost. "Our duty," he said, "is to cleanse, to reconsider, to restore, to correct the evil without impairing the good, to purify and humanise every process of our common life without weakening or sentimentalising it. There has been something cruel and heartless in our haste to succeed. 'Let every man look out for himself, let every generation look out for itself,' has been out thought, while we reared giant machinery which made it impossible that any but those who stood at the levers of control should have a chance to look out for themselves."

The President gave ample indication of how he would correct the evil, and declared that he would alter "a tariff that cuts us off from our proper part in the commerce of the world, violates the just principles of taxation, and makes the Government a facile instrument in the hands of private interests." The finest note he struck, however, was in his concluding sentences. He declared: "This is not a day of triumph but a 1 day of dedication. Here muster not the forces of party, but the forces of humanity. Men's hearts wait upon us, men's lives hang in the balance, men's hopes call upon us to say what we will do. Who shall live up to the great trust? Who dares fail to try?" THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET. Mr. Wilson's Cabinet is regarded as I a good working team, always excepting the possibility of "ructions" arising from the inclusion of Mr. Bryan. The appointment of Mr. Bryan was no surprise. By throwing his influence from Mr. Champ Clark to Mr. Wilson in the nominating convention, he unquestionably brought about the nomination and election of the latter. Being made "pre- , mier" of the Cabinet is his reward. The statement lias been freely repeated that j Mr. Bryan objected to Mr. W. G. McI Adoo, of New York, being named Secre- | tary of the Treasury, and that he himself would have preferred that plum to j the one given to him; but that his wishes were disregarded in each instance. As Secretary of State, Mr. Bryan is, to a great extent, "in cold storage," as a Chicago paper expresses it. The position is one of great dignity and honor, but has to do almost entirely with foreign affairs, to the exclusion of domestic policies. Those who do not parti- ; cularly trust Mr. Bryan express the view I —it is more than half a hope, however— I that, whether consciously or not, he "has entered upon the process of dignified retirement from active public life." The subject of these kind remarks may, however, have something to say himself. A new department was created under legislation, signed by President Taft, on the last day of his Administration—that of Labor. The Secretary of Labor in President Wilson's Cabinet is a namesake of his, Mr. William B. Wilson, of Pennsylvania, lie lias been prominent in Union Labor circles, and is said to have been virtually appointed at the instigation of Mr. Samuel flompers, president of the American Federation of Labor. NO TIME FOR BILLET-SEEKERS. One of the first things the President did was to issue a statement warning the hordes of billet-chasers infesting Washington not to bother him. He notified all office-seekers that he felt it to be his duty to decline to see them in person, except when he himself \nvited the interview, adding that it is his intention to deal with appointments through the heads of the various executive departments. To dismiss Republicans regardless of fitness for their respective positions would create a scandal, and yet nothing short of this wholesale method of finding jobs for the expectant Democrats seems possible of satisfying them. Just before he went out of ollice President Taft by an executive order placed 33,000 third-class and fourth-class postmasters under the classified Civil Service rules, thereby confirming them in their position for life, subject to good behaviour. Heretofore these offices have been part of the spoils distributed amongst the political victors. Democrats criticise Mr. Taft's order as a mere trick to keep the Republican machine in order for next election, and are demanding that Mr. Wilson should rescind the order so that members of his party may fill these 35,000 positions. Oil what may be termed its social side the new administration is very set in its way. No liquor stronger than water will be consumed at any functions given by the President or by Secretary of State Bryan; both arc. total abstainers and non-smokers. Contrary to precedent, President Wilson will accept honorary membership in no club. Such has been offered him by the most "exclusive" Washington club, and declined with thanks. Should he wish to join any social organisation he will apply in the usual manner, and pay his clues as any other member. There will be a notable diminution of the quantity of gold braid nrnund White House. The uniformed staff instituted by President Roosevelt and retained by President Wilson docs not appeal to President Wilson as necessary or seemly, and will be either abolished or cut to the smallest limits. The other night .Mr. Wilson attended a Washington theatre. To the astonishment of the audience the show did not stop, and the orchestra, played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Upon enquiry it was learned that this consecrated Washington custom had been dropped at the request, of the President himself. The President's aversion to display of all kinds is seen on every day of the week. It huving been announced on the lirst Sunday of his administration that he would worship at a particular church, the edifice was crowded to the doors, and large numbers of people stood outside waiting to see him. Dr. Wilson disappointed the curious crowd by slipping off to another house of worship.