New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-22
sr1ND FIRM.

The Republlcan majority IN INC heSiSi"Oui"
| can better afford to vote TO sit until election
than to give way before the Democratic con-
spiracy against High License and Ballot ne
form. That there is such conspiracy there
can be no question. The rulings of the Lieu
tenant-Goyernor and his refusals to put the
appeals of Senators are proceedings so extraOr-
dinary ant so outrageous that their explanation
must lie beneath the surface. II is easily
found The date fixed for adjournment is but
little more than three weeks distant, and some
DAYS Of this brief period will be consumed in
participation in the Centennial exercises
in this city. Every days delay, then,
which Governor Hill can secure, will
increase his chances of being able to avoid ac-
ton upon these bills altogether. No doubt his
preference would be that they should die in
the Legislature, and never reach him; but, at
tho worst, the situation would be easier for
him il they were sent to him late enough to al
low them to be killed by pocket veto, rather
than if he were compelled to go squarely on
record in opposition to them.
In this enterprise Of blocking legislation he
has the efficient support of Lieutenant-GoV-
ernor Jones', who seems to be under the I'M
preston that he need pay no attention to the
rules of the Senate, because he had the courage
to march through Baltimore at the head OF the
Massachusetts 9Th. This episode in his his
tory was creditable to him, but it cannot be re-
garded in the light Of plenary indulgence.
He is still under the same obligation as other
citizens to obey the Constitution and laws Of
the United States and also those Of the State Of
New York and he is likewise bound to enforce
the rules Of the body over which he has been,
by the grace of the saloon-keepers, elected to
preside instead Of q set Of rules Of his own
making. 1t is, Of course, in the power Of any
man in such a place, not only to make him
self extremely offensive, but to do positive
harm. Mr.. Jones is apparently under tho i'm
preston that he may make something hand
some out of his present course OF conduct.
lie found It easy TO obtain the nomination for
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, with an understanding
that he was to "pay the freighf'-and IL Is
known that HIS success in this line has led him
TO think OF the Governorship itself. lie is a
man likely TO be easily deluded, we should say.
by the encouragement which willy politician
like Hill would know how to give without
really committing himself In the least. The
participation Of the Democratic Senators in this
conspiracy is easily understood. Even II ID
were the habit of Democrats to be independent,
It would not take long for Governor, who
uses the secret power Of his Office as unscrupu-
lousy and despotically az Mr.. Hill does, TO re-
duce the members Of his own party in the
Legislature to mere puppets.
The reason for the Governors anxiety re-
garding both these bills is clear enough. He
must watch them both with something OF the
feeling of the poor wretch In the story, who
saw the walls Of his prison slowly contract hour
by hour. until they crushed the life out OF his
body. When the Governor vetoed the Ballot
Reform bill last year the popular interest in the
subject was comparatively slight. But since
that time the idea has taken great hold every
where. A majority of the State Legislatures
are considering such measures, and half dozen
have become laws Even fair proportion Of
the Governors own party have learned already
to favor them, and u number Of the most in
/ fuential Democratic papers in this State arc
| urging him to abandon his opposition. But
the Democratic bosses are more bitter than ever
and the Governor dare not disobey them.
Meantime the new bill has been drawn with
| infinite care to meet the pretexts of his veto
and IL he is compelled to repeat 1t, be will
really be troubled to know how TO do this with
out exposing himself as an enemy to all re-
| forms. Mr.. Hill wants TO be President, and he
knows that he must have broader platform Ia
stand upon in National contest than the good
will of liquOr-dealers. The situation regarding
| the High-License bin Us more troublesome
still. Its advocates have had two vetocs Il
study. The bill was framed by Commission
which the Governor himself recommended. II
has been made moderate, so that he could moi
consistently refuse to sign II. The Governor
| is in corner and knows it.
The Republicans should fight out the battle
| for these bills IL It takes all summer.