The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-27


against the Canal Ring with great fclat and
applause, but it still remains to be seen
whether he can uproot the frauds which he
exposes and denounces If he fails he will
be still entitled to the credit of good inten-
lions, but he will have no solid claim to pub
lie gratitude unless he succeeds in extrpatlng
the fragrant corruption against which he
makes so earnest protest. Everybody who
takes an interest in State affairs has known
| for years and years that the management OF
the canals is rotten to the core, and If our
new Governor succeeds in forcing remedy
! he will deserve well of his fellow-citizens.
| But he must not expect to be crowned with
! laurels for an unsuccessful attempt. Pope,
/ Hooker and Burnside attacked the Confed-
crates with great courage and vigor, but
/ as each of them got terribly worsted
in the contest the country does not award
them high place on the roll OF military
merit. ''Nothng succeeds like success, and
if our worthy Governor secures such leglsla-
don before the session closes as will protect
the State Treasury against the Canal Ring cor
mOrants he will have gained an enviabe stand
ing in the long list of able men who have
done good service as Governors of New York.
But it does not always happen in human
affairs that the vigor of the man comes up to
the pomp of the manifesto. If Governor
| Tilden's bold attack on the Canal Ring should
lead to no results he will be weakened in pub
lie estimation by On abortive attempt.
We do not at all sympathize with the line
of criticism against the Governor which as
serts-truly enough, no doubt-that he has
discovered nothing new, and that the corrup-
ton of the Canal Ring was as well known to
his predecessors as to himself They knew
it; but why did they bear it? They had the
same cards in their hands as Governor
Tilden, but they did not know how to play
them. 1t is creditable to our present
to put down his trump at the right stage Of
the game but, if he should be beaten after
all, the modification will be in proportion to
the greatness of the stake Mr.. Tiden has
ventured all his future political hopes on the
success of this bold coup. If the Canal Ring
should foil him he will stand in the position
of beaten and humiGated man who at
/ Governor Tilden cannot afford to fail in the
contest he has precipitated. That he will be
warmly supported by an honest public
opinion is already past doubt; but his success
! depends on the one hundred and sixty men,
bers of the Legislature and it is possible that
the influence, money or intrigues Of the Canal
| Ring may be powerful enough to thwart him
| in one or the other branch of the Legislature.
Had Andrew johnson succeeded in his bold
conflict with Congress he would have become
the most popular man in the country, but his
failure was fatal blow to his influence for the
time being. And, in like manner, if Gov
ernor Tilden carries the Legislature
upon the Canal Ring he will be the most
applauded man in the State but if he fails,
after managing his assault with so keen an
eye to stage effect, he will be treated with the
same kind Of derision which overlook the
mountain in labor, when the multitudes who
had assem- led to witness the birth of all in
FAINT mountain were RECALLED by seeing mouse
run out of a hole. We sincerely hope that
Governor Tilden's grand coup may not prove
new exemplifcation of this old fable
The fact that the tendency of the Legisla-
! ture is toward committees or commissions of
| Investigation is not encouraging If, the
champions OF the Canal Ring allege, there is
nothing new in Governor Tilden's revela-
tons, if it be true that these abuses have long
been known, OF what practical use is a tedious
investigation? Why should not the Leeisla-
/ ture proceed at once to enact laws which will
preclude the possibility Of such frauds here
after leaving past offenders to the tender
mercies of the new Civil Remedies law? For
our part, we do not believe that
! dollar of the squandered> money will ever be
recovered and it is preposterous to institute
investigations in that view. For all purposes
of legislation the present information is
ample. 1t is confessed to be ample even by
/ the champions and apologists of the Canal
Ring, who belittle Governor Tilden's Mes
sage by asserting that it reveals nothing new
We, therefore, look with distrust upon the
schemes OF Investigation which have passed
the Assembly. The proper thing for the
Legislature to do is to pass law which will
shut and lock the door against such swindles
hereafter, and as they have already nforma-
ton enough 20 guide such legislation, we
regard these projected Investigations as a
! juggle of the Canal Ring TO gain time and
stave off the passage OF laws which would
/ stop their dishonest gains.
/ The action OF the Assembly on this subject
I is ridiculous. 1t is preposterous, in the first
place, to assume that any additional informa-
ton is necessary, when the champions Of
the Canal Ring belittle the Governors Mes
sage by asserting that he has told nothing
which was not well known before. If the
substantial truth of his charges is admitted
no further inquiry can be necessary for ena-