New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-24
4 TRUSTWORTHY JURYS VERDICT

The Brooklyn Young Republican Club has
indicated its honor Its reputation had been
compromised by the diatOry and equivocal ac-
ton of its governing committees. 1t had been
placed in an attitude of hostility to Republican
principles by an investigation of Mr.. Blalne's
record which it had not authorized. The club
has now taken its affairs INTO its own hands
and given the Republican candidates
hearty and unequivocal Endorsement. 1t
has done this under circumstances of peculiar
embarrassment For two years there has been
a sharp division Of opinion within the club re-
specting the policy to be pursued in National
contests A very large and influential body OF
members has been in favor of confirming its
operations to municipal issues The Blaine
men had to combat this feeling, and not few
of them voted az a matter of principle against
engaging in the Presidential election, although
personally intending to support Mr.. Blaine.
The club, moreover, was forced to express
disapprOval of the course recommended by
majority of its two governing committees. and
also to oppose the wishes and advice of some
of the veterans in its ranks. But the duty of
the club was too plain to be shirked. A vital
question was at issue. Was the club a Repub-
lican or Democratic organization 7 The
members decided by a great majority that it
was a Republican club.
Now let us see precisely what this action of
the Brooklyn Young Republican Club means. A
sub committee appointed.by the governing COM
mittees compiled digest the official evidence
respecting Mr.. Baines railroad transactions
This digest was placed in the hands of every
member, and owing to the high character and
social standing of the club il is fair to assume
that with few exceptions, this body of official
evidence was critically examined. Here then
is great club composed of 2, 500 of the most
intelligent men in Brooklyn-the very flower of
citizenship and respectabiity- has voted to
sustain Mr.. Blaine byavery large majority, after
being placed in full possession of the evidence
in the case. Here is a verdict from jury of
superior dignity and intelligence, to whom the
testimony Of sworn witnesses and the letters
of Mr.. Blaine were submitted without argu-
ment. 1t is a verdict of acquittal that ought to
satisfy every sensible and honest man.
The members of the club will bear us witness
that they have been treated during the last two
months with great Indulgence in these columns.
We have had faith in the sterling qualities of
their Republicanism. We felt confident that
they would eventually make their influence
felt on the right side We congratulate the
club upon the manly stand it has taken. The
proceedings were characterized by excite
mcnt and intense feeling, but on the
whole everybody had fair play. 1t was
clear from the outset that the Blaine men
were in the majority, but they did not abuse
their power, and the minority were treated
with impartiality Mr. Deming came in for
some sharp criticisms, but he richly deserved
his fate. His ehrOntery in address
ing Republican audience after
passing over body and soul into the service
of the Democrats, and even cooperating with
Chairman Barnum in working the Mulligan
compost heap, really overtaxed the good nature
of the club. The nights work will have a most
favorable influence upon the fortunes Of the
organization. Ii remains Republican organ
ization and will render effective service in the
present and in future campaigns.