New-York tribune., 1881-11-20
THE luCSIYG GORHlln

There have been times, we are free 10 con
fcss. when George Gorham seemed to u TO be
gradually developing into an established public
nuisance. This. not because he is 50 much
worse. fbln other men, but because he somehow
seems To Lack the moral sense To understand
why or how his behavior is offensive to people
of decent and clcanly character, and so for
ever thru,ts himself upon the public view
Through some defect in his moral constitution
or, to be more exact, some peculiarly in the
vacuum where his moral cOnst tuition would be
if he had onc--he is quite unable to comprehend
why his skipping from one party to another to
suit his convenience, his open disregard OF
principle, his small tricScry and disreputablc
demg gogism, should convey any other impress
sion than one complimentary to his nlmble-
ness, agility, versatility and SmaTtncss. For
several years past he has apparently ecen pos
ScSscd by a mania to lead professions AMI eX-
crcsc the functions of IA drum major. Two OF
three times during this period, after having put
himself with more than drum majors flourish
at the head of Il Republican column, he has un-
dcrtakcn tO defect the procession from It's line
of march by turning abruptly into side street
or blind alley. No one ever followed him, and
on each occasion the procession congratulated
itself ON being rid of hlm. Great mistake! In
less than two blocks the supcrseryceablc drum
major had skipped through Il by-Street and was
at the head of the line again twirling his stan
with as jaunty an air rs though he had never
deserted the ranks. In the way of recurrence
and prevalence he is Il person of most eXtIaOr-
dinary gifts.
1t was because of this persistent forward
thrust of hmself-this putting himself in
front like a shovcl-nOscd shark at the steamers
bow, or the mougrcl do- ahead of the stage
that we were beginning to think OF HIM as
kind of public nuisance. Particularly so during
the past seven or eight mon,hS CT since the
time when. by a peculiar combination of fortui
tous circumstances, the Republican party was
placed in the attitude of recognizing and in
dorsing him. Since last March the Republican
party has scarcely been able to step out doors
without encountcring this cIratic drum major.
It always finds him as lively rs flea and as
garrulous a. fish woman, and always talking
in a large way about what office he Is not can
dilatc for, and what office he continues To eX-
pect. And, strange rs it may seem, he begins to
be amusing. so long as he WAS q serious cam
didatc for Secretary of the Senate, and being SO
was in sense laid on the shoulders of the
party, he evoked pretty unanimous express
sion of disgust. When ne began and continued
his outrageous attacks upon President Garfield
and The Administration of the party to which
he owed his own nomination for Secretary OF
the Senate, varying them with n sort Of black
guards defence OF the Star Route Ring which
the Administration was endcayoring to bring to
Justice, there was universal feeling of imdig
nation When he put himself forward mt
Albany as the advocate OF Mr.. Conlling III the
Scnatoriai contest, and seemed inclined to
make himself conspicuous everywhere and all
the time the public settled down to the con
yiction that he was nuisance. And there WAS