New-York tribune., 1875-11-29

I'm appointing ex-GOv. James +. English 10
the vacancy occasioned by the death OF Sena-
tor Ferry, Gov. Ingersoll of Connecticut mas
undoubtedly met the wishes of majority OF
the Democrats of tho State, and at the same
time gratiied very strong local feeling In
New Haven County, where the Governor ana
the new Senator both reside. Mr.. English has
had considerable experience in politics during
the past twenty years, having in that
time served in several public capacities.
His first appearance in the State Legislature
was in 1855. when his predecessor, the late
Senator Ferry, also served for the first time in
that body. Hehas been in both House andScnate,
was candidate for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and de-
feated in 1860 in 1862 was elected to Congress,
served two terms; was three times Governor,
and in 1872 was defeated for Congress From
this it will be seen that he enters the Senate
with considerable experience of public affairs
and sufficient acquaintance with Washington
life, gained by four years service in the popu-
lar branch of Congress, to enable him to make
himself at once useful to his constituents and
to the body of which he becomes member.
AS political movement, the appointment IS
not, in our view, by any means the wisest that
could have been made. We think the better
Judgment of the State would have sooner ap-
prOyed-certainly the country would sooner
have welcomed to the Senate-Judge Foster or
Mr.. David A. Wells. There was an OppOrtu-
nifty, too, to make an appointment which would
probably have given more qualification than
even either of these, TO very wide and influ-
entail circle of the best citizens OF the state
and country. Gov. Ingersoll might fifty
and appropriately have called the distinguished
authority on international law, who has lately
retired from the Presidency of Yale College,
to the service of his State. 1t would have
been a fit rounding off for Dr. WOOlsey's noble
career. But the appointment of Gov. English
is nevertheless not one which should in itself
provoke unfavorable comment. The new Sem
ator, without being brilliant or great man,
is a gentleman of high character, OF iirst-rate
business capacity, good Judgment, and honest
PURPOSES. In q Congress which Is expected to
deal largely with Questions of finance he will
not be without influence. He will be found
always On the side Of hard money and national
hO%esty.
He will bring to his position the plain prac-
tical talent of successful business man, and
that is needed perhaps as much as any other
tions to which the country must soon address
itself. Upon other matters-such as admins
trative reform, or ANY question into which
partisanship is liable to enter-we shall hope to
see him taking the same manly and courageous
stand he did when in Congress during the war,
when he rose above party and not only
supported the war measures of Lincoln's
Administration but voted for the abolition
of slavery in the District Of Columbia.
Since then we are aware that he has on
several occasions when he has been candidate
for Governor consented to and perhaps advised
some things in the way of political manage
ment which were very far from being cOndu-
Give to the publication of politics; but he Is
placed by this appointment above the tempta-
ton to resort to questionable measures for the
furtherance of partisan ends, and we shall be
disappointed if he does not exhibit III his
course in the Senate his old faithfulncss to his
convictions The appointment by the Govern
or is only for the interval between this time
and the assembling of the next State Legsla-
t,me in May, but there is little doubt that the
Legislature will ratify the Governors appoint
ment and elect Mr.. English for the remainder
of the term-till 1S79-in case the Democrats
should have the control of that body.