New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-17
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CLETELJND AND HILL.

The decision to hold the Democratic State
Convention at Buffalo, and so late as the 18th
of September is in the nature of a compromise,
with slight advantage for the Governor.
The special friends of President Cleveland
woke up last fall to the necessity of get
ting the control of the State Committee
safely in their hands, lest the Governor
should be able 10 thrust a crowbar into the
midst of the complicated and delicate machin-
cry that was then preparing denomination for
the President. The desire of the President
friends to put the convention as far away from
the Executive Chamber at Albany as possible,
and as late as the committee dared, may have
been tacitly inspired but it was none the less
in the line Of Mr.. Cleveland's interests.
1t will be said in his behalf that the con-
vention has been delayed in order that public
opinion may have time to gather force and
defeat Governor Hills denomination. 1t
will be suggested that the open support
of the Liquor-Dealers' Convention which
meets in Buffalo week before the Democratic
Convention, may arouse a feeling that will
drive Mr.. Hill into retirement. Then it is
hoped that there may be further revelations
damaging to him in the Aqueduct investiga-
ton But, on the other hand the Governor
friends hopefully rely, and with better reason,
upon the enthusiasm of the Liquor-Deal-
erS' Convention to make their man invinc-
ible. This is a singular situation for great
party to be in The leaders, including Presi-
dent Cleveland, do not dare to oppose Hill
openly. They know that he is too strong in
II 1t bo m
elements which make up so large proportion
of the party. They are afraid of him as sue
cessful candidate for the nomination, for they
know how consistently he has alienated the
decent classes. They are still more afraid OF
him as a defeated candidate for the nomination,
because they believe he would revenge him.
self, and they know him to be cunning and
INSCRIPTIONS politician. So the Reform Presi-
dent and the Reform element that supports him
tremble in silence, not having the courage to
utter word of protest against the selection
Of this trckster as the party representative IN
this State, but hoping that Providence will
somehow take him off their hands
The pretence that the President is neutral,
because it would not be proper for him to in
tcrferc in local politics, is absolutely laughable.
Mr.. Cleveland did not hesitate to interfere in
local politics, to the extent of helping to foist
upon the city Of New-York District-Attorney
who was utterly unfit for the place and who
has surprised even his opponents by the prompt
ness he has shown in proving it. But now,
when it is question whether the Democratic
party shall boost into the Governors chair for
a second term a man who has spent his first
term in demonstrating that he ought never to
have had that, it would be "improper' for
Mr. Cleveland to try to prevent it.
Mr. Hill is the legitimate candidate OF his
party, as Mr. Cleveland never was. lie repre-
sents its hatred Of Civil Service reform, which
Mr.. Cleveland processes to favor. lie repre-
sents its subscryiency to the liquor traffic; It's
opposition to all efforts to protect the ballot
and the meaning of such opposition has never
been better put than by General Harrison,
when he said, " Find me the party that sets the
gate of election frauds open, or holds it OPEN
and | will show you the party that expects to
drive cattle that way''-and all its unworthy
tendencies Mr.. Hill represents the party as
it is 4; Mr. Cleveland tries TO look like what the
party pretends to be. If the Democracy wants
to sail under its true cOlors, David Is. Hill
should lead the campaign in this State.