Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-10-04
Mr.. Cleveland's Record.


The Boston Advertiser, after briefly review
ing the early but unpromising political ca
reer of Grovenor Cleveland, the democratic
candidate for governor of New York, has
the following comments upon his record as
mayor of Buffalo and the relative merits of
his candidacy for the governorship of the
Empire State. The words of the Advertiser
are entirely just and must commend them
selves to the sober second thought Of the re-
publican voters of New York as well as
their political brethren in other states.
His administration Of the mayors office has
been excellent as everybody admits. That II
has been remarkable for honesty does not appear
Only one act Ia set down as having been greatly
to his credit. He vetoed STRENGTHENING con-
tract by which the city tn pay for the service
the sum OF el09 900 more than the lowest bid
made by a responsible person. But public sent-
ment roundly condemned the act Of the city coun-
Gil. And no mayor OF ordinary honesty could
have done otherwise than Mr.. Cleveland did. II
is not denying to him any Of the credit to which
he Is entitled to say that the single act for which
he has obtained great praise and nomination
for the highest place In the government OF the
state did not test his frmness to an extraordinary
degree nor prove his fitness for the greater trust
to which his friends would call him. The pre-
sumption Is in his favor but It is only presump-
ton after all. The office Of governor In such a
state as New York requires qualities OF no com
mon order. There are influences and temptations
which only the strongest men can resist. What
they are Mr.. Cornell discovered, and he surprised
both friends and enemies by his courage. Per-
haps Mr. Cleveland has equal firmness, but II
does not appear a. yet 1t does appear in Judge
Folgers case, for he has gone unsmirched through
| the fiery trial Of a long experience in the New
| York legislature. But 1t would not be the first
time II had happened, II Mr.. Cleveland, after be-
| ing elected, should prove TO be anything but a
strong and incorruptible antagonist OF the rings
| Mr.. Hoffman won great reputation first as re-
| corder and then as mayor OF New York city; but
| when he was transferred to the governors chair
| he was as plant tool as the Tweed ring ever
| used. II must not be forgotten that Mr. Kelly Il
| again in harmony with his party, and when he
| helps candidate he does so because he feels that
| he can manage the man after he is in office. Per
| haps he cannot manage Mr. Cleveland, but there
| Everybody knows what democratic ascendancy
| in New York means. Those who are so simple az
| to think that a governor who Is untried In higl
| position can stem the tide OF corruption which
the democratic bosses Of the city Of New Yorl
invariably bring upon the state government, will
abandon the republican candidate because tn,
| means used to effect his nomination were humili
| ating to all honest men, But the wise will thinl
that the office Is likely TO be more faithfully ad
ministered by Judge Folger, who has never beer
| faithess, although much more severely tried thar
| Mr. Cleveland has ever been.