New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-25
PETER NITCHELDS POSITION.

PETER MITCHELES POSITION
We beg the attention of an apprecia'lVe
public to the present attitude of Peter
Mitchell. 1t Is scarcely possible that even III
these stirring times it has escaped observation
utterly that Peter Mitchell has struck an at
titudc. Ii must have been remarked pretty
generally that lac stands there, with his thumb
IN his waistcOat, before the camera OF history,
waiting for the Muse to say, There! that's
good expression. Keep it! Now!" before
she uncaps the instrument; but there Is
danger that amid the excitement N
the walkng-match, and the interest felt
in the deadlock in the Police Board, the
manly aud heroic and somewhat lonesome at
titude OF Peter Mitchell in the Democratic state
Committee will not arouse the enthusiasm to
which it is entitled or excite the admiration
If deserves. Peter Mitchell is the surviving
representative of Tammany Hall in the Com
mttee. When all the rest went out he re-
manned. Silence having been restored, 1t is
said that Peter Mitchell rose to the full height
of the occasion and announced that, al
though he was still a member of Tdmmany,
he felt it to be his duty to support Governor
Robinson as tine regular candidate. Ii Is moi
believed that the announcement was received
with applause. For. if the truth must be
told. the majority of the Committee distru-ied
the motives and questioned the sincerity OF
Peter Mitchell. Instead of saying, This
"manly conduct OF Peter Mitchell stamps
chin ms a Statesman of the highest order
"and 4 rclormcr OF the deepest dye" they
casually winked at each other, and coldly
voted merely that ne might stay IN the Com
uittec. twill hardly be believed, but Is never
tleless ti1lc-euch is tic dlstru,t, born 81 init
mate acquaintance, that these leading statesmen
haveof each other-that the suspicion Il whs-
pcrcd among Che members Of the Committee that
Peter Mitchell, though nominally supporting
Robinson, is at heart a John Kelly man, and
remains in the Committee in the capacity Of a
Kelly spy. To what length has partisan
rancor been carried when the sincerity OF
Peter Mitchell is questioned!
But he can stand it, 10 one who
witnessed the struggles Of this rising
statesman 70 get the chaigmln's eye
and the Conventions ear nc Syracuse
the other day, can doubt his ability TO stand
anything that gives him prominence and
brings him into the broad sunlight OF pub
licity. On that occasion he was one OF the
earliest Delegates in the hall. The first thing
that greeted the eyes Of the Convention as it
fled in. was the thrilling spectacle Of Peter
Mitchell in the orchestra in the place usually
orcuDied bv the bass-dum. From this posi-
ton ne was accustomed. during all the stormy
proceedings, To- fling W his skinny arm at IT.
regular intervals, and fire his fa!settO Mr..
Chairman ut John Jacobs, who never rec
opnized him till somebody else had the floor.
when he dropped on him "a melting look OF half
compassion and half curious inquiry. But he
never got the floor. No man wrestled for It
harder than he. Once he pulled a Manual Of
the Assembly on the COnvention-pulledd as
one might Darrngcr from his hip-pocket--
and proposed To settle u point Of order by 1t.
II would have sent all the business over to
the following day. Not getting the ear Of
the Convention, he skipped up the aisle and
seized John Kelys. That fiery leader warned
him off, and he seized Dorsheimer. Dor
sbeimer followed with an absent look the
index finger to The printed page, and shook
him. Then he passed up the other aisle and
yainlv strOve to capture the attention OF Il
Brooklyn delegate. Finally he shook the
book alOft mt John Jacobs and cssaycd to gain
the floor. John jacobs looked at the book an
instant and went with the business as
though there were Peter Mitchell. nor any
Assembly Manual, nor any point of order. 1t
was one of the most remarkable features of
that remarkable Convention, that it would not
bring itself under any circumstances 10 listen
TO Peter Mitchell. We can imagine Peter
Mitchell going ont of that body remarking, in
the well known words Of a modern English
statesman upon another occasion, ''The time
twill come when you shall hear me-"
That time has arrived Peter Mitchell stands
alone on the State Committee, the sole sur
vivor of the Tammany representation. He
has gained his prominence and secured his
hearing. We congratulate him on his success.
He deserves it. There are few men on the
Committee so conspicuous as he. But he must
remember that such distinction as he has at
tanned brings with it its disadvantages. The
eyes of both wings of the party are on him,
and 1t stands him in hand, whatever his mis-
sion may he, 20 see to it that he doesn't get
caught at it.
---------------
If Mr. Bernard J. Kelly. Secretary Of the Ma
tionaI Workingmen's party Of New-YcrlI," is to be