New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-11

The pledges contained in the platform OF the
Democratic National Convention insure good
government SO says President Cleveland. But
every with head his shoulders knows
better. Pledges insure nothing Talk is cheap
especially in a Democratic convention. The
Democracy always good at making pledges
But only performances count. And Democratic
performances give the lie to Democratic pledges
Some Of the most prominent hotels in the city
have failed to comply with the hotel fire-escape
law. An example ought to be made OF one or more
of them. The law may not be the wisest or best
in the world. hut so long as il is on the statute
book 1t ought to be complied with Don't the
hoel1cepers know that the quickest way of sccur
ing the repeal Of an obnoxious law is to INSIST on
its impartial execution?
One source OF danger from electrical conductors
is to bc removed by the simple device Of re-
curing all wires 10 be placed at least eight feet
above the sidewalk or course this should be
only temporary eypedicnt to be made use Of
on the way to the final buryng of all wires
Of this sort. From the rate Of progress now
making, though it seems probable that this
expedicnt will be needed for a considerable time
TO come.
Mr. Cleveland speaks Of his complete and
solemn sclf-consecration" to the public service.
Did we hear a gurge as of suppressed laughter
issuing from the mouth Of Attorney-General Gar
land?
John L. Porter a shipwright, az present en-
poycd at the Norfolk Navy Yard. has reason TO
feel grateful for the generous support he has re-
ceivcd from the public crib" lie was o con-
s'ructor in the Navy prior to the Civil War and.
like some other Southern sympathizers. resigned
and accented commission in the Confederate
Navy. For the latter service he buIt the famous
ironclad Merrimac and other armorcd vessels.
The Presidents egotiSm is magnificent Much
has been done in the direction of good government
by the present Administration he says. Howp
By appointing more than 200 criminals to Fed
eTal Office?
Mr. Cleveland shuddcrs to think what would
become of the Nation were he not at hand to
take care of ii In accepting his nomination,
his thoughts, he says. persistcntly dwell upon
the impressive relation of such action 10 the
American people" It strikes us that this is the
most grOtesquely egotistical utterance that has
ever come from a public man. His thoughts
cannot get away from his own superemihoncc IL
would be pity for the country TO insist upon
keeping his thoughts thus painfully concentrated.
He should have a chance to occupy them with
objects more attractive
Within eighteen months more than 400 OF the
policemen of Chicago-one third Of the entire force
have been discharged Either Chicago was af-
flictcd with an unconscionably bad set OF police
men before, or else the changes made have not been
solely in the interest of the service or of the
public As among the dismissed are not few
who did good work at the time of the Anarchist
outbreak it is a fair inference that good order
and discipline were not the main things con-
sdered and the prevalence of crime in the city
gives ample color TO this conclusion.
Mr.. Cleveland has nothing to say in his letter
of acceptance about the aurements Of power"
and the temptation to retain public office once
gained But the evidence that he has been both
allured and tempted is now overwhelming