New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-30
MP c1EKELAyDS APPOINTMENTS.

The Democrats who hope to secure Office ny
eIecting Mr. Gle Veland President In 1854 mus.
fervently wish that they could box MN up Ciii
that wear. leaving undimmed his record as a
reform Mayor and preserving in all It's force
the prestige Of an unparalleled majority 1or UoV-
eroor How quickly during the coming TWO
wears he may destroy, by mistaken appoint
ment. by silly message, by an incautlous
speech, his chance of being nominated even oy
the Democratic National Convention, shrewu
politicians readily understand. MT. ihue"
when he posed as q reform candidate LOT the
Presidency was not compelled to run any such
risks of destroying his record. HIS adhinls-
tration of the affairs of New-York was prac-
tieally complete long before the st. Louis COh'
ventiOn met.
Mr. Cleveland, however, is forced to add to
his record. In the making OF appointments 10
office alone his good Judgment will be severely
tested This test will not be delayed till late
in his term of Office. In the first year OF his
service as Governor an extraordinary number
of vacancies in State offices of Importance oc-
chr. which must be filed by him. who snail
take charge of the Insurance Department, wl1h
its supervision of the largest insurance com
nan,gs in the United States 7 Who OF the BANK
Department, with its guardianship OF four
bundred millions of savings banks funds
Who of the great canals, with their navigation
free and their maintenance burden to tax
payers7 Who shall superintend the National
Guard2 Who shall act as Quarantine Com
missioners2 Who shall assess the State taxes
These are questions which we may be sure ME-
Cleveland is now asking himself There is pro-
found public interest In the debate WHICH
ia going on in his mind regarding the an
swers that he will give to them NO ordinary
Democratic politicians can be assigned oy MN
TO the important duties described without
loss of confidence as to his capacity from Whlch
he could never recover. Least OF all, II lie
wishes to retain the confidence of voters, can
he appoint men Of that grade as Railroad Cohi-
missioners. We have purposely separated
mention of these officers from that regarding
the other great appointments of 1883 because
we think their selection merits special atten-
tiGn.
After years of complsint against the manage
ment of the railways in this State, shippers aud
messengers have secured tribunal TO winch
they can appeal in case they think they are
wronged by railroad managers 1t is highly
important that this tribunal shall have far
|
trial; that its members shall be incorrupuble
able. fair-minded men. A former Railway
Commission was contemptuously abolished by
the people after its worthlessness had been
clearly proved. 1t would be great public mis-
fortune if the coming one, which many persons
| hone will be trustworthy court of arbitration
| to decide the disputes which are constantly
| arising between the users and the managers of
railroads, should likewise prove failure
through the incapacity of the Commissioners.
The appearance of some Of Tammany Halls
| most disreputable leaders as applicants for one
of the CommissiOnership is rather disturbing.
| If such disgraceful appointments are to De
| made, however, the public will soon be apprised
| of the fact, for by the terms of the Railroad
| Commission law the Governor must send the
names of his nominees for Commissioners to
| the Senate within ten days after January 3,
1888. All voters in the State will therefore
soon be able from these appointments to
| form judgment--perhaps final one-of the
| fitness of Mr.. Cleveland for the Office to which
he has been elected.