New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-12

followed the wise rule that it is easy to damage
their party by hasty charter legislation, and I'M
possible to help it except by legislation winch
is clearly in the public interest.
The State Senate has passed the Constltu-
| tional Amendment admitting women 10 INC
right of suffrage. Though this Is success
which even the advocates OF woman suffrage
could hardly have expected it is only step on
| long road. The amendment must pass tne
| Assembly, must then be referred to the Legis-
lature of 1882, as there will not be new sen
ate until that time, must be approved there, anu
then must pass the ordeal of the popular VOTE
It is doubtful, to say the least, whether it will
| survive all these crises, even supposing that the
action of yesterday was serious.
General Sheridan's examination before the
Court of Inquiry In General Warren's case
| which closed yesterday, leaves the Lieutenant
General in an unfortunate position. There is
fiat contradiction on certain points between b 8
Official reports as made during the war, and his
| testimony as given now, which must do damage
| to both. When he admits that he misstated in
| cidents in an important engagement be-
cause he "did not wish to antago-
Gnize" a certain corps. he makes an adj
mission which is not pleasing. There is likely
| to be less patience with this situation than
there might otherwise be if General Sheridan
had not in the reports which are under discus
sion, brought discredit upon General Warren,
who is considered by those who know him to
be as brave and Jealous as General Sheridan
| himself, and is generally regarded as his su-
perior IN military scholarship.
Colonel Ethan Allen, who is so much Of an
anti Grant Republican that he says he will not
vote for Grant if he is nominated, sends us a no
ticeable letter. with list of two thousand Repub-
| licans in this city who have signed pledge to
the same effect If these men really mean not
TO vote for Grant, if he should be nominated, it
is important that the fact should be known
now. If there are others of the same way of
thinking they ought not to conceal it. We do
not agree with them but we do not disguise
from ourselves the fact that the existence of this
feeling is one of the most important factors of
| the political situation. The same percentage,
carried through the State, would inevitably give
it to the Democrats. The list sent to us seems
to consist of original signatures, and is an ugly
looking document for those of us who have to
work in the approaching campaign, and want
to win.
The Chamber of Commerce dinner last night
| was almost an exception to the rules OF that
| venerable organization, which are supposed to
debar the very mention of politics at their an
nual feasts. Secretary Sherman, who was pres
ent and spoke at some length, was saluted
several times during the evening with illusions
that came dangerously near to politics, but
were by no means discouraged on that account
by the auditors. Dr. StOrrs's suggestion that the
Secretary might be called upon to practice the
motto of New York, and go up higher, was re-
ceved with applause from many members MIR.
| Sherman's own speech was hopeful statement
of the National outlook the marvellous progress
that had been made in development and gen.
| eral prosperity, and the marvellous progress
that was still to be made HIS address closed
with a compliment to New York City which may
| we'll turn the heads even OF modest New
| Workers.
Senator Robertson's quick and telling retOrt
to Grant Senator who playfully called him q
@rebel" is sufficient reminder of his ability to
defend himself in his present position. But it
may not be amiss to say, in his behalf and IN
| DGudIl VI tuOSO WIN oJuPulhiHO
that it is tine the silly talk about the "dis-
honorable" course of these gentlemen came to
On end. Their course is, on the other hand,
honorable in the highest degree. They prefer
o. the risk of much abuse and assault to repre-
sent the sentiments of their constituents rather
than the desires of bare majority Of State
Convention in a matter where the Convention
was without authority over them. THE
TRIBUNE held at the time of the Utica Con-
vention, and has held since, that the State Con-
vention had no right to dictate to the district
delegates, who are selected as the direct repre-
sentatives of their local constituencies and nre
responsible to them alone, how they shall vote.
If to assert this sound principle, and to defend
1t by every means in ones power, as Senator
Robertson and his colleagues have manfully
done, is dishonorable," then we do not know
what honorable conduct is.
| nFJK 4 ~