New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-13
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MT.STAEEN ECONOMY.

That inimitable story-teller the late General
James w. Nye used to relate that on one Of his
stunning tours through the State when he was
q Democrat, he found somewhere in the inte-
rior an old Democrat who to the surprise of all
his neighbors had expressed an intention to
vote for the Wing candidate, Willard Fillmore
Being pressed by the General to give his rea-
sons for it, the old man said 1t WAS because he
knew Mr. Fillmore to be very prudent, careful
man. As an instance of his economy he SAID he
had known him upon one occasion when he
caught mouse in his meal barrel to strip the
mouse of the peal in him before killing him.
aSuch economy as that" said the old man,
think ought to be rewarded" This is the only
case that we now recall-and we half suspect
that General Nye was guilty of a little exagger-
alton In narrating the circumstance-in which
candidate for high Office has won vote by
habits of extreme economy. We have heard
of several cases, however, where candidates
have suffered from being too economical, or
more properly perhaps, from inopportune econ
omy. 1t has been moe than lntimated IN
several Democratic newspapers supposed to
be familiar with the inside history of the cam
paIgn of 1880 that Mr.. William II. English's
economical habits had more or less to do with
the Democratic defeat. And we have heard it
minated that Mr.. Tilden in 1876, although
he spent great deal of money on the canvass,
had occasional spasms of economy which
worked to the disadvantage of the ticket
1t is a good thing in candidate to exhibit
an economical disposition. Especially in
Democratic candidate, now that that party is
laying so much stress upon the improvidence
and extravaganza of Republican administra-
ton and urging its own claims TO public con-
fdence as the party of economy, retrenchment
and reform. STILL candidates should remember
that there is such thing as improvident eco"-
omy, wasteful parsimony. This is always the
case with economy exercised toward the
boys.n For what "the boysn want and are
sitting up nights to bring abOut is the econo-
MIXING not OF their own or their candidates, but
of the public expenses. The candidate who
fails fully to comprehend this makes "A mistake
And so we fear the rising young statesman of
Long Island, Mr. Perry Belmont, has COM
mitted blunder In declining TO pay the bill OF
the Babylon landlord for the dinner which
was to have been eaten in his honor month
or two ago, but was declared off," after much
expense had been incurred, because, IA some
say, the Long Island yeomanry 1kicked at
paving SO a plate, or as Mr.. Belmont hi msef
explalns il, because he was suddenly called
away To Philadelphia. The landlord had acted
in good faith, had made extensive preparations,
had constructed alegorical pieces in lard rep
Justice, Commerce and Peace, had
procured a lovely menu of delicate pale green,
and was expecting about $50 of Perry's con-
=. 81 OIL
twenty -four hours before the time appointed
he was informed that the whole thing was de-
clared of" And now the landlord, looking
round for his pay, can get no satisfaction from
Mr.. Belmont's committee OF Mr. Belmont him
self.
The bill is only $3.50, which under the cir
cumstances seems quito reasonable. We fear
Perry makes a mistake in refusing to pay.
For although tho Democratic party breaches
economy, it is only economy in pubic expeud
lures, and then only in such public exprnd-
tures as not under Democratic direction.
Economy on the part of n candidate IN the
matter of setting up the boys" they have no
ratence with. 1t would have been better for
Perry IS future to have paid the whole bill and
had the dinner. That would have saved all
the di satisfaction of " the boys at the so
charge and prevented the row with the land
lord. 1t is unfortunate that this should have
happened at a time when several Democrats
were talking seriously Of Perry as a candidate
for United States Senator. He had already
been mentioned" for Governor. The men
ticn ~ took place nearly year ago in front of
the dry fountain in the City Hall Park. And
no mention" ever met more cheerful recep-
ton from the public. Everybody smiled. The
- mention for United States Senator babe
fair to be equally successful when this unfor-
tunate dinner complication came up. We can
of course how it happened, and
that Perry might very naturally have sup
posed that by declaring the dinner aoff" and
the landlords bill he would en-
dear himself to the party of economy, retrench-
ment and reform. Still, as has been said, we
think he made mistake.
We dislike to think that this young states
mans brilliant future has been blotted out by
q mistaken notion of economy. Let "a hope it
is only dimmed for the moment. he may re-
deem himself in the next Congress by pointing
"A pen h older at somebody-but lie must be
careful not to get at the wrong sud of tho PEN
holder
NORRISTOWN INSANE ASYLUM CASE