New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-24
pLlIY Duty or HONEST RAFORuEBS.

"DO evil that good may come" That X the
philosophy of the Jcsuits, and also, it seems,
of the Scratchers They publicly announce
MS one reason for promoting the election Of
Governor Il bnson, that they think his sue
cess will render inevitable the nomination OF
Governor Tilden for the Presidency. which
they consider tie weakest nomination the
Democrats could make. l. it night, then, to
intct unon the State Il Governor who notoIi-
ou,lv prostitutes his high Office 10 the mcan-
est ends OF faction. In order 10 promote the
nomination Of a bad and weak candidate for
the Presidency Governor Robinson is Il can
dida,c who ought 70 be beaten and viii be
beaten on his own dement's. II is a part of
the reckless dishonesty with which his canvass
is managed that his friends claim for him the
good results of Republican legislation. and Of
previous Republican administrations. Never
yet has any Governor of New-York stopped
to more disgraceful abuse of his power than
the removal of Police Commissioners in this
city, in order to get control of the Inspectors
of Election If Governor Robinson had done
nothing else deserving OF censure-and he has
done much-this one act would marx him as
"A man utterly unworthy of public trust. But
this candidate. conspicuously and notoriously
undcscrving, the Scratchers propose to help.
in order 10 fasten upon the Democratic
party still worse candidate for the Prcsi-
dency. This is queer sort of " reform,' to
LAY the least.
If there are any who sincerely indulge this
purpose. they surely ought to reflect that this
is not an honest exercise OF their elective
franchise The good State Of Ncw-York does
not intrust them with power as voters in or
der to get itself outragcOusly misgoverned,
whenever such misgovcrnment may help this
party or that When the people come 10 elect
a President. it is our duty to presume and tn
hope that they will elect "A worthy man. We
have no right to presume that the people will
elect a bad President unless New York first
elects an unworthy Governor.
Men who claim to be par excellence pure
and virtuous rcformers. ought TO see that they
bring discrcdit upon the cause which they pro-
Tess by such votes. Plain people who look
with practical cOmmOn-sense at the results Sc
cured, will not be attracted To The cause of
political reform if il means the election of
most INSCRIPTIONS partisan III this state, in
order to bring about the nomination OF most
nnsciupulous partisan by National conven-
ton. Ii that is reform honest and sensible
men will want 10 have as little to do with
reform Us possible.
Jesuitry is usually short-sShtcd and self
defeating. 1t seems altogether probable that
the success of Governor Robinson in this State,
if il were possible, would not help the Repub-
can party. Probably it would insure the nomina-
iion by the Democrats. Of Il vulnerable hut also
shrewd, desperate and crafty politician. In
the light Of the cipher dispatches, il is diff
cult to say to what means Mr.. Tllden might
resort if ne %crc Il second time placed within
reach of the Presidency. No Republican has
the right to expose his country to such risk
rs would be involved by that nomination. If
a man capable of such desperate thing, il Ia
be nominated at all. ii the country is again
TO be exposed to tde possibility Of an in
famous purchase OF its hghcss Office, the
whole responsibility ought 10 rest with the
Democratic party alone.
The defeat of the Republican candidate for
Governor ia this state would disheaItcp Re
publicans in all other States. 1t would pro-
dncc the greater alarm because tho Democrats
are notoriouslv divided. and ii would he
reasoned that the Republican candidate could
be beaten only 10y still more mschlcyous
division pf Republicans. We 10 not be-
iicvr that any such OCCASION exists. or
;hat il is pos bic for the Scratcheis to make
il appear that any such diyi 'on exits but il
they couid. the result would b,. most il furious
10 Tie Republican. every Who're. Il we aic 90
descend from the vantage eiouDl Of pain
honesty to the low icvc oi tic cheapest ox-
p,dieucy. the election of GoyorL,r Eoiiaon
would certainly lose tie Republican party
more votes than the selection hy the Demo-
crat, of any casdiiatc. however vulnerable.
would hop it, The ablrs aud NOT hie,t and
best candidate the Democrats could name
would have smaller chance oi success, after
Republican victory in AcWYolk, than the
weakest and most vulnerable would have
alter = Republican dcielt in New-YoIk. II