New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-18
TIE SlNARIIAN BITH VIRL1TION'

TIE S1DiRIIAN WIN PIRI1fIONS
Secretary Whitney Is now represented by his
apologists as John Roachs best friend. His
generosity and magnaninlity are recognized 50
generally by the Democratic press as to suggest
a concert of action >kilfully organized by an
cxpcrt IF their famous literary bureau. He IS
described as dealing with the unfortunate con-
tractor with singular dclcacy and goodness at
heart assisting the bankrupt, Offering hun
liberal terms, aud enabling him ID get up again
when he was down. The saTe Journals which
A few months ago were dohriUds with delight
when the Administration was destroying Mr..
Roach's credit and driving him into bank
mptcy are now paying fulsome tributes to the
Sccrctary's generosity.
Is there anything more amusing IN current
politics than this change "f attitude on the part
of Mr.. Whitney's demOralizcd dcfvndcIs' SIX
months ago they were raptarouslN applaudlng
him for Introducing practical reforms in the
Navy Department and for bringing to light
abuses of long standing in the system of repair
ing and bulling Government vessels. Now
they are complimcniin: him for his ing
di,posi;ion his kind hearted intervention. his
di>ntcrc,tcd zcal H. bcfIcndinG AN cntefprIsin.
~GipbuiId"r whose fortunes are temporarily
cloudcd Then he was Hercules making a
clearance of all the scandals OF a corrupt De
partmcnt; and nov lac is the Good Samaritan
pouring balm upon Mr. RDdchs wounds and
helping him to get up again. Mr.. " htncys
friends agree that MS official conduct has been
STRANGELY misunderstood and that ne has
proved himself to bc the best friend an uniOIt-
innate bankrupt ever had.
Now It il "A gr.at pity to break in upon this
Democratic thank giving over Mr.. Whitney,
handsome treatment OF Nh Roach but 1t seems
necessary 10 make single remark. Something
had happened TO the traveller on the jericho
turnpike before the Good Samaritan appeared
upon the scene TO bind up his wounds and carry
him of TO tie waysldc i'm. He had been as
sauitcd beaten, robbed and left dying by the
roadside Now we don't want To ASK any un-
pleasant questions, but are merely striving to
digest this political parable. If Mr.. Whitney
is the Good Samaritan. who are the marauding
knights of the road Z Mr. Roach was down be-
fore this official samaritan helped him to get
up again. VINO helped him to get down.
That seems a pertinent question. Who sub
jected him to a mercess political persecution,
ruined his credit and forced him to suspend
busincss7 Well, if the truth must be told, the
Secretary assisted the contractor most vlSOr-
Oi~IN ana lbISlhttulIg III E'lllHE HVNH ''''i'
giving him a cnance to get up again. Tins is a
fact which interfrres with the Democratic ap-
plication of the parable. If the poor traveller
had recognized in his benefactor at the inn the
textures of the leader of the maraudcrs who
had robbed and wcll-ugh murdered him, ho
would not have been overwhelmed vita feel
ines of gratitude. In like manner. Mr. Roach
may be pardoned if he succeeds in REFRESHING
his emotions in view of the Secretary's mag
nanimity.
Ii is not surprising that Mr. Whilney's adj
mirers complain that he is strangely mis-.
understood" These double roles are always
confusing. To prevent mb:guty far ~ The
TRIBUNE is concerned, shall offer a con
densed statement of the whole matter. ScCre-
tary Whitney, with the aid OF the Examining
Board, the Attorney General and the Demo
cratic press forced Mr. Roach to make An as
signment. The conspiratOrs had no intention
of driving him into bankruptcy. They were
impelIcd by craftsmanship and were bent npon
making a reputation for the Administration a
a reforming agency, without reference to cont
mon Justice, the requirements of the navy, ur
the business interests OF the country. When
Mr. Roach failed, the Secretary suddenly found
himself in a most embarrassing ANA untcnablr
position He has made the best oi his sorry
plght and, concealing his grimaces has emerged
from the controversy with face full of be
ncvolcnt feeling for John Roach. But as for
his being the Guod Sam iritln, well, in Tie
words of distinguished Democrat, q" Why do
we laugh T.
| The FHENCH-CANADIAN DEEONSTR1-
IIONS