New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-30
WOULD MIR. THURMAN HELP


The proposal to nominate ex-senator Ihur-
man for Vice President is characteristic of
party management which cares nothing for
consistency, and which expects no Dcmocratic
statesman TO have self-respect. 1t Is not long
since Mr.. Thurman was engaged In prosecut-
ing some of the most active Democratic work
ers in Ohio for crimes committed in behalf OF
this very Administration. The President
wanted To control the Senate, so that his APP
pointments could be confirmed without scru-
tinv. There went out from Washington word
that every effort should be made to carry Leg
;sIatures in Illinois, Indiana Ohio and New
Jorsev. In each of the four States the people
defeated the Administration, electing Repub-
Iican majorities to the Legislatures. In each
of these States Democratic managers then re-
sorted to forgery, ballot-box stuf1ing and other
crimes. in order to secure a Democratic Sen
ator and to carry out the will of the President.
II will. be said of course, that President
Cleveland himself had no part in the wrong
doing But it is the fact that he has never
shown any disapproval Of it, either by remov-
ing from Office persons who were Implicated
or by refusing his patronage to aid managers
concerned therein. Democratic workers were
convicted in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio; men
high in influence ought to have been indicted
and convicted in New-Jersey. Yet there has
never been the slightest indication that the
President disapproved the management Of the
marty in either State Maclin, of Chicago, is
in a conyict's cell, but his righthand man now
holds an office under Mr.. Cleveland. So those
who contrived the Indiana and the Ohio frauds
have never 1een punished by Presidential dis
favor, while hosts Of their friends and tools
are now in Office.
Ex-senator Thurman was called upon to
prosecute the criminals at Columbus and he
brought to the task the honest indignation OF
a man who had himself been cheated out Of
Mace in the Senate which he had filled with
honor. by the same corrupt management. He
spoke with scathing severity of these crimes,
and of the management which had brought the
party into disgrace Yet all the power of the
party in Ohio was exerted to shield the GRIM
inals from punishment. Now it is expected
that Mr.. Thurman will serve that same party
as its candidate, and help to recommend that
same Administration by accepting nomlna-
ton for Vice President with Mr.. Cleveland.
II IS possible that he may, though men who
have had most respect for Mr. Thurman in
times past will be forced to change their opln-
ion of him if he does. In some things, it is
true, his opinions and those of the President
coincide. He was an earnest opponent Of the
protective tariff, and was more frank and out
spoken about It than Mr.. Cleveland ever was,
at least until his latest message. MIR. Thur
mans conception Of States rights, and his views
of legislation to secure freedom of elections at
the South, did not essentially differ from those
which have governed President Cleveland. But
he has been reckoned an honest Halter Of gov
eminent by corruption and by election crimes,
of government by spolsmen and by distribu-
ton of plumber. The retirement of great
many persons who now hold Office under Pres
ident Cleveland ought to take place, before Mr.
Thurman accepts nomination on the same
ticket, in order to save the ex.Senator's self
respect.