BAINBRIDGE COLBY

Southland Times, Issue 18830, 25 May 1920, Page 4

BAINBRIDGE COLBY

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE. AN UNEXPECTED CHOICE. LOS ANGELES, March 25. By appointing Mr Bainbridge Colby Secretary of fl ate, President, Wilson caused a sensation, somewhat resembling that follotving Mr Lansing’s resignation of the same post (says the correspondent of the Wellington Post). Only one paper, so far a t can be learned, shows gratification over the choice. The New- York Evening World’s satisfaction, however, is based on Mr Colby's record as a leading supporter of the liquor trade. Mr Colby established himself in the confidence of that party when, as a member of the Shipping Board, he made a determined fight on the War-Time Prohibition Bill, declaring that the nation could not build ships successfully without an abundance of good liquor for the workers.

‘■lf the President’s enemies are anxious to put him in another hole,” comments the Baltimore Sun, a Democratic paper, ‘‘they may consider Mr Colby’s' nomination an opportunity for mischievous asquiescence.”

The New York Tribune says it matters little who holds the office, because, after all, as shown by the Lansing correspondence, the duties will be performed by the President. As Mr Wilson explained in the Lansing correspondence, the chief qualification for the post is a mind which wall willingly go along with his own. MR COLBY’S HISTORY. The new Secretary was one of the leaders of the progressive Party under Mr Roosevelt. He was a lifelong Republican, until the famous Bull Moose “bolt” from the Chicago Convention in 1912. He had been actvcly identified with the candidature of Roosevelt, and was in charge of contests to seat Roosevelt delegates at the Convention. When Roosevelt left the Convention Mr Colby helped to found the Progressive Part} - , and was a delegate to its Convention. He continued to be an active leader in the party, and in 1914 and 1916 he was Progressive candidate for senator from New York State. When Roosevelt threw the weight of his influence with Mr Justice Charles E. Hughes in the 1916 election, Mr Colby identified himself with the Democratic Party. Although the President has (he right to nominate his official family, the Senate took over three weeks to ratify the appointment by carrying out a pretended investigation regarding Mr Colby. This was, of course, merely to annoy the President. In the meantime, however, public business, including the issuing of passports, was held up. Mr Frank L. Polk, who had been actingSecretury of State since Mr Lansing resigned. is expected to carry out his intention of retiring from (he State Department. H< has been in ill-health for more than a yea*