New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-07
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THE F1RLY JVORM.

THE EARLY WORM
This is what he seems to be aiter-that d.
minutiye but sharp-eyed and sharp-beaked
bird who goes under the name of David Il.
Hill. During all the four years Of Demo
cratic Administration he has never shown him
self in Washington good many birds were
there-old birds, tough BIRDS hungry BIRDS
who swarmed on the branches OF the trees out
side the White House, and shiyered in the cold
and fought fercely whenever a handful OF
crumbs was flung out from the window upon
the snow. But David b. never appeared
though if he had gone he would have been
promptly afforded an opportunity to warm his
little toes.
Now. however that stout and apathetic bird
who has enjoyed the warmth of the White
House nest for four years is about to retire
with most Of his tail feathers missing, and one
wing out Of joint David b. suddenly ahghts
in that neighborhood and looks about to see
how the nest might suit him four years hence.
II is rather indecent, seeing that the nest is
not empty. but hungry and quaTeSome birds
like David b. are never distinguished for the
elegance of their manners. He has been chr
ripping in the ears Of the Democratic crows OF
the House OF Representatives,. Mr.. Whitney
lured them with terrapin and champagne. That
is another notable bird, by the way sagacious
and tough. who doubtless thinks that Governor
Hill will have more to say as TO who shall have
the handsome bird-houSe at Albany next time
than plain lawyer in this city by the name of
G.. Cleveland. But Hill is cooking his keen
ewes in all directions for early worms. 1t Is
said that he means to make an excursion to the
Northwest next summer with the 23d Regl-
ment Of Brooklyn. No doubt he hopes to pass
for an eagle, which has been a pet of soldiers
from the days of the Roman Empire. He for
gets, however that the inhabitants Of that
region are shrewd folk, and would as soon
mistake handsaw for a hawk
But the lovers VI birds are probably already
indignant at our metaphor, and we drop it.
TO return to plain EngiSh-and in dealing
with Mr.. Hill the English ought always to be
Of the plainest kind-thcre can be 10 doubt
that he is seriously aiming at the Presidency.
Thus far he has done maryclS with audacity,
and it is clear that he has now the most au-
dacious stroke Of all in view. The future his
torian will search in vain through the speeches
and public papers of Governor Hill for eyi-
dence of any intellectual ability beyond that
Of a mediocre country lawyer. The accident
not to say, cataStrophe-Of Mr.. ClevelandS
election to the Presidency gave Mr.. Hill
years possession Cf the GoyernOrShip. Then
he first fully developed the talents as a small
and INSCRIPTIONS politician to which he owes
all his subsequent success. He secured the
party nomination for Governor, and in a year
Il r
his opponents following the Presidential eX-
element was elected by small plurality.
During the next three years he continued to
ply his trade, and, greatest stroke Of all, he
perfected his alliance with the saloOn-kecperS,
through which they control the Excise legisla-
ton Of the State the consideration being that
they should buy his reelection in open mar
ket, which they faithfully did
He sees. Of course, that another term as Coy
ernor is an impossbility, and he proposes to
make bold dash for the Presidency Here he
will soon discover. however, that all the con
ditions are changed The saloon-keeperS will
not spend their money either to nominate or
elect him. He can do nothing for them III
that Office 4 Governor they are glad to buy,
but an Excise Commissioner would be infinite
~ more valuable to them than a President of
the United States. The claims Of past friend
ship will not count with these very practice
men. When they bought his election they
did it because they knew they would get their
money back, but his capacity for being useful
to them ends with his present term. He will
find also that the system of petty barter and
intrigue which he has carried on at Albany
,yould not no On Succpssful on "A National scaIa
We do not believe that Mr.. Hill will ever be
President. He must be content to pass into
history as the smallest man who was ever made
Governor of New York, and even that is a
greater distinction than he deserves