New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-31
PULITTCS A Id MdCCHIAVELLL


In its long career Of hypocrisy and double
dealing "The New-York Tines has never
made meaner or more contemplate exhibition
of the motives which control its columns than
It is now making in advocating Mayor Hewitt's
nomination by the Democrats for the Governor
ship. Mr.. Hewitts character as man and as
statesman was just well ascertaned two
years ago as it is now. In many respects he
has made an admirable Mayor. He has been
honest ear-sghted, industrious, and to an
extraordinary degree courageous and indie
pendent. The good and the bad in his career
as Mayor of New York are just what the public
expected when he was elected. They are
equally characteristic. Now, The Times" as
everybody understands, on account of relations
either personal or financial, or both, is under
the controlling influence Of William r. Grace.
1t is, and has been for many years, Grace's
champion, apologst and mouthpiece. The
Peruvian magnate's cunning finger is seen in
all THE Tines says upon municipal affairs.
He guides its pen to suit his own schemes day
by day.
Mr.. Grace scarcely makes an effort to conceal
his hostility to the ADLER and honester man who
succeeded him. Another of his ridiculous cit
liens movements was under way two years
ago when Tammany blanketted bis sails by
its delightfully."- sagacous nomination of Mr..
Hewitt. How Mr.. Grace accepted the stroke
by which he was outwitted and defeated was
funny to observe. OF course he had not been
a candidate. He never is, you know. Nothing
would have induced him to accept third term.
Certainly not; by no means. He therefore
made speech supporting Mr.. Hewitt, while
his organ, "The Times" sneered at, insulted
and opposed the nominee Column after COL
umn Of The Tines was filled with contrasts
between Grace and Hewitt to the latters dis
advantage. 1t even took up Graces own speech
and argued with its idol telling him that he
did himself injustice by his modesty, and APP
pealing to him to think how all the beautiful
" reforms he had established, by which, we
suppose, it referred to young Mr.. WINS and
Fatty" Walsh would be abandoned by Mr..
Hewitt. 1t spoke of Hewitt as an "instru-
ment' in Tammany's vicious hands, as hon
ored but uncertain" as wanting completely
and conspicuously wanting" in fitness for the
Mayoraty. as evidently Indifferent to the
cause of improving the city government" and
it declared that Ibis election would give us
not the slightest improvement upon the cid
order of municipal administrations"
Until within fortnight its course in crit
icising the Mayors official conduct has been
an attempt to Justify these prediction COM
ments. II has continuously attacked him in
motive as well as in act. not hestating. when
it lacked facts upon which to found its hos
tility, to call wanton Misrepresentation to its
aid. But now suddenly it wheels right around.
1t seeks to heap dignity and honor on the man
it has so long held in contempt. Idiotcally
regardless of its record, it praises his ability,
his original and broad views,n his courage,
patriotism. generosity and fitness. II now sud-
denly bethinks itself of the reputation for
sincerity and integrity of purpose which he
" has established in a long public career" and
it wildly insists that the Democracy must NOM
mate Mr. Hewitt for Governor
1t is not difficult to detect the plot that this
move is intended to cover In fact il is so
clumsy that we should scarcely believe that
Mr.. Grace could approve it, but for the fact
that The Times" would not have dared to
institute it without his approval. That he is
eagerly at work trying to secure the nomina-
ton for something has long been evident. His
lackeys have an unmistakable air of business
about them. They gave out that he was a
candidate for the Govern orship, which would
have been convincing that his real aim was
directed toward a return to the Mayors office.
had not some of Mr. Cleveland's friends lent
a color to the rumor But this, it is now ap-
parent was q pre-convention scheme to hui
initiate Governor Hill, and Mr. Graces genuine
purpose is revealed in "The Times'sn efforts
to shove Mayor Hewitt out of the way This
is a peculiar kind of politics. 1t is exceedingly
rough on "The Times" 1t puts that devoted
organ in position which, despite its long list
of similar experiences must be painful. But
it is intensely Macchavellian 1t proceeds on
the theory which young Mr.. Twins avowed to
his friend, Mr. Flynn, that "the public are
asses and have to be fed on straw