Public Service Volume 28 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... difficult to get "an American of large caliber to accept the office for only one year, the condition of acceptance being that the incumbent shall refrain from exercising any of those functions of the office which in the past have lent it importance, responsibility and distinction." The whole incident is characteriezd as "a tempermental explosion as a consequence of one or a combination of irritations." Several newspapers discuss in their news columns the possibility that Lansing knew in advance of Earl Grey's letter declaring treaty revision by the United States acceptable to Great Britain, and that the break came because the secretary failed to warn the president in time to permit the excutive to take some step to nullify, partially at least, the effect of that letter upon congress and upon the public. The Chicago Evening Post is thankful that the whole cabinet was not fired. After concurring in "the general sentiment that a loyal subordinate has been unfairly treated" and defining an ideal cabinet officer as "one" who can take orders and execute them," the Post says: "A natural surprise is expressed that other members of the cabinet who, by attending the conferences called by Mr. Lansing connived with him in the alleged usurpation of authority are not also requested to resign." On second thought, the Post says this is a fortunate thing, since "even though there be among them more than one whose resignation under other circumstances would have occasioned small regret, a wholesale retirement would be seriously disquieting to the public mind.... We hope that the presidential irritability has satisfied itself in finding a victim and that we will be spared any further...