New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-18
POLITICAL NEWS.

The present session Of the Illinois Legislature
has been marked by disgrscefu proceedings. but
there one thing which can be said credit II has
been together four months, and yet all that time
it has passed only eleven bills and them to the Gov
crnor for his consideration. This is apparently small
of work for long time and yet the people Of
the state will doubt be better satisfied pay the
members rOundy for doing nothing thal TO have them
load the statute books with useless legislation. Illinois
biennial Sessions OF It's lawmakers and the peo
pie beginning 10 ask whether triennia sessions won't
he sufficient
The Kentucky Democratic Convention has
fired off the first gun In favor of tariff
for revenue only. With the Democracy Of his
state planted squarely upon this platform Mr.. Wat
terson hopes to into the next National Convention
and insist pcremptorly upon plank III favor of FREQ
trade that his enemies will be unable to resist him sue
cessiuly. free trade triumph In Kentucky is not
matter for loud Boosting however TIE only interests
that have aourshed there are the manufacture OF whs-
key and pistol pockets As these do not need protection
the reason obvious why the people OF the state are
nearly unanimous IN favor of free trade. But the slow
progress OF the state IN wealth and Intelligence does not
make 1t good subject for the doctrinares TO hold up
before the natives as an example.
Governor Butler has doubtless been caught in
an Illegal act Tue evidence given before the inyestgat
in committee OF the Massachusetts Legislature
prove ncontesaby that he was not In the State on the
day his rst message bears date. Among the
prove this is Green b. Raum who testides that
Butler was IN his office III Washington on the day
toned This will nulljty the Governors act and the
vetoed bill will accordingly bccoms law. Butler evil
IDENTITY tried sharp trick and now that his duplicIty
shown up he will sink still lower In the
ton OF people, Every one OF his cheap exhibitions OF
he has occupied the executive GUAR has
proved disastrous to himself lie has failed In his at
pOpullce with brilliant IeAts oil political egerderman.
Aud were 1t not for little crowdot politicians wao hope
To profit through his success he would DO to-day the
deadest cock III the political pit.
The issues upon which the Ohio campaign
will be fought will have more important bearing upon
the the than the candidates who may DO
nominated To head the respective tickets. The Ropuo
leans Will aim probably TO make National issues proni.
nent and state issues subordinate. The only State
that play any important part Is the liquor question
But tns will DO practically settled. if the Scott law is
declared constitutional to debate 1t Will appear like
thrsshins over old straw. The two issues which tho
Republicans will bring before the people the tariff
aud civil service REFORM They substantially united
on these whle the Democrats are divided upon
bonn them The only diversion the latter att pt
Is 10 try aud unite upon platform OF hostility 10 AL
liquor legislation. Ii they can have the shaping 10
issuos viii doubtless DO the they Will pursue.
red-hot Damp for free rum vita the hope Of at
tracing large snare OF the foreign their only
hope. But the Republicans too shrewd 10 allow
their opponents To choose the ground upon which the
battle must DO fought.
Louisiana politics are, perhaps, as corrupt as
those Of any other state. II not little Tne
Democracy Is controlled by a ring OF politicians who
parcel out the Offices among themselves and grow rich
ut the expense OF tho taxpayers The Republican party
10 in worse condition If possible, than the Democratic
lew men have used 1t for years simply as lever to
further their political fortunes The cOlored element has
been traded with until the voters Of that have be-
come thoroughly demoralized Party organization eau
hardly be said to exist among them There Is doubtless
large white element that has become disgusted with
the corruptious Of tho Democrats aud would quickly
leave the party II IL for the fear OF
premacy In TINS condition OF things the opportunity
seems to b. offered fol- new movement headed oy soma
clean man like General Mcmillan, VINO the Re-
publican Candidate tor Congress In the With District last
year Under his leadership union between the better
element among the coOrei voters and the Independent
waite citizens would doubtless develop into for
mdablo organization.