New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-30
TILE OLD YEAR POLITICALLY.

THE OLD YEAR POLITICALLY.
The old year, that will soon be the last year,
has not witnessed events of great political i'm
portance. The Ohio election was OF some con-
sequence, but its results were not unexpected.
The election in New York gave no encourage
ment to the Republicans, and yet they retain
complete control OF the Legislature. Perhaps
the most significant vote during the year was
the triumph of Prohibition in Atlanta after
most exciting contest. The almost unbroken
control by PrOhibitiOnists OF State which
gives a Democratic majority in every Con-
gressional district, and nearly 10000 in the
State while at the North professed Prohibitions
lists are supported by Democratic money in
making assaults upon the Republican party, is
one of the peculiar features of the time.
No important legislative action has been
taken during the year. 1t began as 1t ends
with the refusal of the Democratic House to
take measures needed to place trade and INDUS
Try on a safer foundation But unhappy II Is
not a new thing that many representatives or
that party fail to understand the needs OF
world which Las come into existence since that
party went ont of power. 1t is an encouraging
fact that the prospect of serious change OF the
tariff has diminished during the past year, as
the disposition of new members has become
better known II is the reverse of encouraging
that the prospect Of suspension OF silver coinage
diminishes as the opinions of members are
more clearly understood.
The new Administration of President Cleve-
land was inaugurated with many manifestations
of public Willingness to judge ii fairly, and even
with some partiality of favor. The letter OF
the President on the silver question had pro-
duced a most favorable impression, not merely
because of its purport, but because it was
thought to show a great independence of the
opinion of his party. The selection of Cabinet
officers. regarded in the favorable spirit then
prevailing, was more commented by lar IMAM IL
would be now, since the Cabinet officers have
had opportunity TO show what they are. The
first to disclose conspicuous unftncss was the
ex-senator whose long experience and good
reputation had led people to expect moic OF
him than of any other member of the Cabinet.
But Mr.. Villas soon showed that he was pccu-
liarly unqualified rs well as untitled Tor the po-
sition in which he had been placed. The con
duct of Secretary Whitney toward Mr.. Roach,
and the behavior of Attorney GcncIal Garland
in the telephone matter, and some OF the steps
ia zen by Secretary Lamar or by subordinate'
supported by him, were additional surprises.
The public was also inclined to look with
favor upon the early appointments OF the PreSl-
dent, though it was quickly seen that he coun-
try was to be represented abroad chiefly By
! those who had been least disposed to uphold
! the flag at home.
The early impressions of the new Administra-
ton have been much modified by experience
during the year. There has gtown feeling
/ that the President does not understand aS well
/ as was supposed the principles which he ad-
! yocatcs The languageof his Message concern
| ing the Civil Service certainly was not that OF
| Icformers, or consistent with any zeal reform.
! Perhaps it is true that there has grown an I'M
! preston that the President Is not sincere. His
| early professions, it is true, are steadily re-
| iterated, and il is also true that he makes from
! time to time selections which deserve high
! credit and are in harmony with Il sincere desire
| for reform. 1t would not be just to hold him
/ insincere, because he makes other selections
/ which are aftcrNard found to be not In har-
mony with the principles he avow5. But 1t
! has been observed that in some conspicuous IN
stances he has selected persons for responsible
/ positions whose uniincss could not have been
! unknown to him, or has manifested de
! termination not to change after the gross UNI
worthiness of persons selected had become
known. In other cases he has made appoint
ments in obvious obedience to Influences hostile
to his professions. The nominations of New
| York officials at the desire Of hubert o..
! Thompson, ana the selection and retention Of
such men Higgins and Pisbury, are illustra-
tons of a cOuIsc which has seriously impaired
the confidence of the public.
Nevertheless, there is still disposition to
hcpe for the best and to uphold the President
in every good endeavor. lie is on the right
side III some controversies with a majority OF
his party in Congress. He has urged with zeal
tine suspension of silver coinage, after the hos
tlily of the majority of the members of the
! House was known to him. This is evidence of a
strength Of purpose from which the country
hopes much. If he were free from the influence
of his party in one respect, it is felt that pei
hans he would be a better President i'll all
/