New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-05
uF pOJyT NTH CONFIDENCE,

The last paragraph of the lovely platform
alopted bv the Democracy of NewIOrk in
state Convention assembled, last fall, began
with the assertion: "TO the record of the
Democracy Of Nrw-YOrk we point with con-
fdcnce." There were several little matters
contained in this record, AT the time this aSser-
ton was made which had tendency to I'M
pair an honest and intelligent confidence. The
frghtful theying accomplished by the Tweed
Ring is part OF the record. The plund trng
by Democratic Administration of one of
the great State funds is part OF the re-
cord Opposition on the part OF tie
representatives of TIE ID ,mocratic parry
il the Constitutional Convention of 1867 '6S
to the three amendments prohibiting
taxation Cor canal expenditures and cilcctng
wholesome change in the system of canal and
prison administration isp3r, Of thereccrd. Ihc>"
things cannot he pointed to with confidence
They can only be pointed to with shame and
confusion of iacc. And yet, be It remembered,
they form a large ana salient par OF the re-
cord Of the Democracy of this Sta.e.
But suppose, letting bySoneS be hygones we
confne our attention only to so much of the
Democratic record as has been made since
the adoption OF the Fweddle Hail platform o,
last fall What then? Is the record which
the Democracy has made in the Legislature
during the first month Of the session OF the
sort which justifcs pointing to 1t with con-
fdence? There cannot be two opinions on this
point on the part of reputable ci1zens.
70 its lasting disgrace he it said that the
Democratic parry celebrated its return to
power in the Senate ana Assembly OF New
York by INDUCING in a vulgar quarrel over
spolls Five weeks of tn" session have passed
away, and neither House is yet fully organ
lied! The existing deadlock Ii absolutely
inexcusabie, since it rests upon moth
ing except the discordant greed of
opposing factions. And what renders IT the
more fragrant and intolerahle is the fact that
it follows hard after the awful di>pensation
which, in depriving the American people Oh
James A. Garfield, protested Ill trumpet tones
against the continuation of the spoils system.
The Twpdlle Hall platform contained an elo-
ouent tribute to the assasslnated President.
Mr.. Patterson, in taking the Speakers
chair on Thursday last, made IN ap-
proprate reference to him. But words
are cheap. Ard these Democratic words
euiogistc of General Garfield, are brought
to naught are shown to have been
merely per.unctory, III the light Of the long
fierce fight still in progress, over legislative
spos.
The Democracy, having gained control ct
Congress in 1875, at once proceeded to dem
oustrate to the country that they had not
learned wisdom during the long years in which
they had been III the minority in that body.
They sent out no end Of Senseless smelling COM
mittees. They gave Fitzhugh, that monumental
doorkeeptr, to the country They turned out
scores of boys in blue from minor positions and
supplied their places with those who had
fought OH the other side They stopped the
fast mail, they crippled the Army, they
postponed needed appropriations, and named
the result Economy and Reform They
excelled in nothing that we can now recall
save in the steady suhOrdination of patriotism
10 partisanship. The electors Of our own
state, a. they scan the political history Of the
last month, cannot but conclude that the
Democratic restoration at Albany is Of "A piece
with the Democratic restoration at Washing
ton. The two RESERVATIONS concur in proving
beyond peradvcnture that the best use the
people can put the Democratic party to Is to
keen il in the minority.