New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-23
INDIANA DEVICES.

country than the Democratic eullOrs vi lHul'h"'
OF than tie Democratic leaders generally OF
that State. 1t would be hard to find any more
versatile, ingenious pushing, and fresh Ihey
are always schcming for something; no sooner
does one scheme miscarry than they set to WORK
to devise another. They have had uncommohly
hard luck with their cOntryances duiIng the
past six months. The plan 10 put Mr.. Hen
bricks at the head OF the Presidential ticket Dy
n Supreme Court decision annulling the vote
of the people and continuing the holding OF
State elections in October, not only faled III lts
original purpose SO far as the nomination Oh
Hendricks was concerned, but is believed ~
many disgusted Democrats to have been largely
instrumental IN bringing abOuC the de eat OF
the party, through the nomination of English
and the general discouragement caused by the
October defeat. 1t was cunning contnYance'
but il kicked over the inventors. Moie modest
people than the Democratic editors OF Indiana
would have waited until tho failure OF thls
scheme had been partially forgotten, OF ut least
until the universal cursng they were getting
from the party had III some measure SUBSIDIZED
before coming to the front with new inventions
and assuming TO direct the future ooHse OF
the party.
But the Democratic editors Of Indiana seem
blissfnlly unconscious of the light esteem in
which they and their cheap devices are Dcid
by the party. Already, swift on the heels OF
the defeat for which they are held so largely
responsible they have held meeting at Fort
WAYNE. and as if the whole party waited to
be,r from them, beve soemny agreed upon
certain "points" which, they say, "should
be pressed upon the American people
Among these are "A change IN the Constitution
"ot the United States, providing Ton the elec-
ton OF the President and Vice-PresIdent by
- a popular vote, and the elect on OF United
Estates Senators 10y the people OF the sevefal
States instead of by the Legislatures thereof"
Both these propositions, as will be seen ut once,
are at utter valiauce with the fundamental
doctrines of Democracy regarding the relations
OF the States TO the Federal Government, and
are actually long steps toward that cen
tralizaIiOn of which Democrats have pretended
to have so profound dread. BuE these
Indiana editors put them forward Win as
much comp0sure as they exhibited few weeks
ago when they almost with one accord kicked
over their free trade plank and principles and
traditions and announced themselves as better
Drotectonists than the Republicans. The
reason for the proposed flop is plain enough,
of coulse. They think that with the Republican
vote at the South suppressed entirely, and the
DemOcaGC vote swelled as 1t could be by
Illegal voting and false counting, the chances
Tor overwhelming the honest vote OF the North
would be increased. At the same time they
think the election OF senators 10y the people
would give them better chance, rs Tor IN
stance in Ncw-Jersey. where Republican
Senator will be elected, although the Demo
Gratis had small majority on the popular
yote. Partisan advantage is the only con-
sideratIon. These points are such as might
be expected from Indiana Democratic editors.
Another point is opposition to the controlling
of elections by the dependents OF the National
Administration, higl and low, and against CO.
"ercive measures on the part OF corporations
in interfering with the elective franchise OF
theiI employees" The meanin- OF this, too, is
as PLAIN as several pikestails. The Indiana
editors believe that their party was defeated by
the help OF the office holders and the laborng
mon The former were alarmed ut the danger
of losing their places, and consequently their
means of support, ana tie latter at the danger
of being thrown out OF work by the effect Of
ness and trade. They propose, accordingly, TO
disarm the opposition OF one class, and clJOle
and win over the other. Their reform OF the
Civil Service looks simply to legislation that will
te the hands OF Government servants, forbid
ding tIeir contributing money or services 10
political purposes, so that the men who want
their places shall have every advantage and be
uuopposed. That is the reform in nutshell.
In the matter of coercion OF employees they
know very well that in the late campaign
mechanics and workngmen voted for the Re-
publican candidates not because they were
coerced or in any way influenced improperly,
but because measures were taken by capitalists
and employers of labor to enlighten their en-
ployes upon the probable effect of Democratic
success upon business and trade and all indus
trial enterprises. What these Democratic re-
formers would have is the opportunity to poison
the minds of workingmen with lies about Re-
publican importation of Chinese laboreIs, while
EMPLOYERS should be forbidden to circulate the
truth to counteract them. They want the priv
ilege of circulating Morey letters, while ni3nu-
facturers and employers are forbidden to tell
their wolkmen the rulnous effect OF Democratic
free trade. These are Indiana "ponts" for
reforms and the editors have taken con-
tract to "press them upon the attention of the
"American people" Ingenious Indiana editors
They think they can inveigle the Bird of Free
dom by depositing salt on his venerable tail.
But hardly.
THE STATE TRIALS ~ DUBLIN.
There are no signs OF weakness i'll the prose-
-. Il .i,o e4a.a trials in Dublin Wbotovor