New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-22
the inevitable transition from prosperous to
pinching times, and brandy will do us no good.
TIE OPPORTUNITY AT UTICA.

The Convention which meets at Utica on
Wednesday has an excellent opportunity which
it will probably not improve. It's nominations
are considered by many DISTINGUISHED observers
equivalent TO an election. The Republican
party Of this State, sustained as it is by the
organized force of the Administration, seems
TO them too strong to be beaten by any COM
bination which can now be made against it, The
debasing questions of availability and locality
have, therefore, no necessary place in the
deliberations of the Convention. III the dele
gates sincerely desire to nominate the best
possible men for the offices which are to be
filed, there is nothing in the circumstances of
the case to prevent their making such nomi-
nations But we confess our faith in the good
intentions of the delegates is not active
enough to induce us to believe that the ticket
will be framed upon any such disinterested
plan. Already the organs are bowling against
Nelson X. Hopkins, and are appealing to the
blind instinct of party discipline TO oppose
because The TRIBUNE approves him. That he
is honest and able, that he has fought the
thieves and protected the revenue, that as to
Administration Republicanism he is of the
straitest sect of the Pharisees-all these count
for nothing "Is the Convention going to
stand the dictation of THE TRIBUNE ~ ex-
claim the organs. There is no honest reason
why good citizens should not equally support
ThOs. f. Raines for denomination as State
Treasurer. He did not want Gen. Grant
for President; but he was a Republican
before Grant was, his political prin-
cpes are unchanged, and he has been a
model officer. The men who honestly seek
good government, and especially the overthrow
of the Canal Ring that is helping to ruin the
finances of the State and sap the vitality of
this city, will favor the retention of the pres
ent State Treasurer as well as the present
State Controller; but in all probability the
delegate who should seriously advocate this at
Utica would be laughed out of the COnven-
ton. Meantime we hear from various quar-
ters that of the Republican Ring Senators who
have bought and sold legislation till they are
as well known in their line of business in AL
bany as the grOcers OF the liquor sellers,
hardly two are as yet even in doubt about
securing again the regular nominations. Yet
what splendid chance in the respective dis
tricts as at Utica for honest Republican voters
to cut off the cOrruptionists and lift their
party to the plane of genuine, thorough going
Reform
AS TO the customary declarations which
conventions are expected to make, the same
free and favorable opportunity awaits the
gentlemen at Utica. There is no reason why
they should not be honest-at least none
which can be avOwed. An expression of
frank and sincere opinion about the Credit
Mobilier, about the Salary Theft, and kindred
subjects, would not only be decent and be-
coming, but it would also be popular. 1t is
demanded by the laws of morality, and if
that is too high motive to mention before
political convention, it would be prudent
and beneficial thing for the party, if proper
ticket be nominated at the same time. A
mere platOnic resolution against corruption and
extravaganza and the increase of salaries will
not answer the purpose. The Convention should
stigmatize theft as theft and the men who
profit by it as thieves, if anything is said about
it, for this is the shape the matter has taken
in the public mind. They should demand not
only the return of the proceeds OF the dishon-
esty, but repeal of the law under which 1t
was perpetrated, and an amendment to the
Constitution which shall forever prohibit
Congress from increasing its own cOmpensa-
ton. This would be the only sensible and
acceptable treatment of these questions. The
Republican party is remarkable for Its disci-
pine and dOcility. But it would only be show
ing proper respect to its voting masses, for
its delegates to give the honest farmers of the
interrupted rural districts the opportunity to
make themselves believe they were voting for
honesty and decency in casting their ballots
for the regular ticket.
But there is reason to fear that no such
open and manly action will be taken. The
delegates will not choose to represent the
overwhelming majority of their constituents.
The self-appointed leaders of the party will
be stronger in convention than the party itself
There are too many prominent Republican
politicians implicated in the Back Pay and
Credit Mobilier business to allow a Convention
of the party in this State to speak freely
about it. And above them stands the Admin
istration, with its power to threaten and cor
rupt. 1t is no mystery that all this pOther
about the Salary Bill is not well-pleasing
in the sight of the President He Is more
responsible for its becoming a law than any
other man. He, more than any other, profits
by il. 1t cannot be heartily denounced with
out touching him. All the skill of the plat
form builders at Worcester could not succeed
in framing a resolution which could logically
condemn Butler and cOndOne Grant Now the
voters of this State would approve straight
forward resolution, no matter who was hurt
by it. But we shall we agreeably surprised if
the Convention at Utica gives them the chance.
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4 SUPPLEMENTED POSTMASTER.