New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-29
EX-MAYOR OPDYKE.

What reason have the advocates of the
| Custom-house Charter given why the people should
trust themi We have that the Republican paper
which furious in Its support Of the murphy
! instrument equally friend OF the Tweed
Charter 1870 aud directly responsible for the Op
pOrtunes Of robbery thus afforded 10 the Ring because
without Republican support that charter could not have
passed. Here Is ex-MayOr Opdyke distinguishing
himself as an advocate OF the Custom.hOuse plan. and
The World cruelty reminds him that it he who first
gave Tweed the appointment OF Deputy Street Commits
sOner out Of which such system Of fraud and plumber
built up But this not all In his nst message
a. Mayor in January 1867. Mr.. Opdyke poinedy con-
demned the very principle OF administration which he
defending. This is what he said:
The best form OF government ever devised by human
wisdom is that Of the United States single execu-
tive, periodically elected by the people, charged with
the whole duty and responsibility oeXecutng the laws;
legislature consisting OF two bodies representing df
ferent Constituencies and judicial department inde
pendent OF both and permanent In ts tenure. These arc
the great features OF the admirable scheme OF repnb
lcan devised and adopted by our fathers.
Applying these principles to our city, and emitting tho
judicial department as not pertaining to governments
purely municipal, should have single executive
head OF the city charged with all the functions OF ad
ha S Dy % Sna yhc 10 b
check Of an advisory body and Legislature consisting
OF Board OF Aldermen representing set Of interests
and Board OF Councilman representing another.
As friend should advise Mr. 0pdyke TO keep quiet.
PARTY RESPONSIBILITY FOR KU-KLUXlSM.
A notable and manly letter is published in
The Cincinnati Gazette from Col Lewis f. Harvie OF
Kentucky the relative responsibility OF Democrats
and Republicans for the failure to suppress the Ken
lucky Ku-Klux. Col Haryie formerly Ia the Con-
federate service. and, according to The Gazette is as
good Democrat there is in Kentucky" Col. Harye
says that the continuance OF KuKlux Outrages In thas
State disgrace the State Government well "a 10
the Federal Government Referring to the bill for the
suppression Of these disorders which lately passed tho
Kentucky Senate. the writer says that Of the "a who
voted for it 20 Democrats and Republicans;
the only Nays Democrats. He further says:
This subject has, in shape another been before
the Legislature for the last three sessions and until the
advent OF Mr. Sneed in the Senate, this Winter NOS
Republican in either house has made the first mo
ton the word in favor OF law 20 proees
the humble and helpless victims OF these brutal ourage
the great majority whom have negroes and their
partisan friends and personal supporters Demo
Gratis and exConfederates have heretofore alone intro
duced and advocated every movement or measure
brought forward in either house with this object.
For the Democrats OF Kentucky Col. Harvie has no
enent Judgment. He says that many OF the best men
in the party. OF them ex-Confederates have de-
nounced these ouages and that too in defiance OF tho
Unsurpassed displeasure OF party associates; but u
the party at large he says:
am far from acduittng, wishing to seem to soqnr,
the Democratic party Iof Kentucky, as represented
through its Senators and Representatives in the two as
Legislatures OF responsibility the
amentabe and disgraceful condition OF affairs when
has prevailed IN certain parts OF the state Tor ns
year or two That party 10y its overwhelming majority
Of the popular vote and of the members OF Don Ornnos
OF the Legislature, has had and su has absolute con
troll OF all the machinery legislative, executive ana
iudcia-of the local and state Governments. For tn'
reason Justly responsible for the faithful and Impair
tal administration Of the laws the preservation oil Pu
lie order and the protection OF the entire people eyer
county and district OF the State. That II has coen
grossly derect in the discharge OF this high duty M
luctantly but freely admit That II Is at last mpcss
with proper sense Of its former breach OF gafePr
lie trust in this respect the action OF the Senate on INC
I2th inst. passing the ku-kluX bill by four,ntns
Democratic vote In its favor, clearly and unnsiaaSop
indicates.
Here is an extract from the letter which proseD"
the case as applicable to the Federal Government
For several years Federal Government has aPpsr.
bodies of Federal troops at numerous points IN hen
tucky thereby naturally Irritating the preJudlces anu
inamng the passions OF the vast majority OF s eoP
In some localities these troops have been quarteIe
brutal OF these outrages. But IN what instance saso
possibly OF the affair OF the Red River Iron Wofs
In Est County, has single Federal soldier mower o'
comfortable barracks. with or without oruers %
of the Federal less than Of the State Goyernmen
In what has Federal power lnterposed us o
tent shield from systematic aud cruel peiseoais
the weak and helpless 80 wards OF the nation INC
their and real friends. uniortnns'S ne
grOes III the right OF few negroes 10 VOC the
toned or denied by Democratic officers OF Jus ,ha
Federal Government immediately intetpVsse' PedeT.I
protectlon OF these their political finn,
sOldery are promptly called out or rapidly s,ocratio
one city 20 another while half score oi Ssnse and
officials are summarily dragged, at gea v anna F.d.
incony enence % themselves and anncs ,tst.nt city
eral Lieutenant Republican Marsha 70 or Renuh
to answer the charge before Federal OO"i ima
lIcan Commissioner But al tno ,,,hIiasns mi
hundreds OF United States citizens N'PS