New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-26

4 SILLY IND COWARDLY TRICK.
The facility with which Governor Hill Is
able to Danish from his thoughts the common
Mace and gnoble interests of a vain and tran
STORY world. to fix his awestruclS gaze upon
transfgurcd and immutable ideal to purge HIM
self of all mortal dross. and to knec in rcver-
ential worship before the shrine of duty Is
we'll. lancaage fails us. and we are forced to
content ourselves with saying that 1t is simply
immense We are aware that this unhallowed'
nav. this vulgar, phrase will jar upon the UoV-
errors rapt and exalted senses like false note
in the Stabat Mater or a hiccough III Hamlet ;
soliloquy but we cannot help It, HIS latest
message to the Legislature is too much. Ian
ouacc is a poor and stuntcd thing at times.
When the right emotions have been evoked
the words will follow But this is too sudden.
Nobody can put on a frame of mind as II II
were porous plaster. Let us abandon the al
TEMPT. and treat the Governor Just as II he were
really a cowardly and INSCRIPTIONS trickStcr.
Governor Hill has sent a message to the
LEGISLATURE saving that the SaXtOn Ballot-kc-
form bill contains many excellent features and,
inseparaby commingled with these, several
violation of the Constitution. Under the cir
cumstances, he cannot c0nscientiouSly sign the
bill. nor permit il to become law without his
SIGNATURE But it has occurred 20 him that the
circumstances might he changed by the inter
ycn,ion of the Court of Appeals. and therefore
no asks the Senate and Assembly to pass 4
Joint resolution requesting the court, when
has adjourned to April II, to reconvene ana
pronounce an extra-judcial opinion upon the
constjiutionalitv of the measure. The EoV-
ernor plainly intimateS that he Will veto IN"
bill unless this is done and that II his SuS
pcstion is accepted he will then follow the
Judges lead
This extraordinary document supplies con-
1incing proof that if Governor Hi has not seen
great light, he does at least see through a
glass darkly. He has been made aware that
tremendous popular sentiment demands ballot
reform. and he has lost his sclf-rcllanco. ii"
dares not assume the responsibility OF defeat
inc the Saxton bill boldly and without subter-
fuce. and he hasn't the moral courage to sign
il. and thus acknowledge that his own selfish
and immoral prcjud!ces have been defeated by
the popular will But he thinks that he has
found a way TO transfer the responsibility TO
the Republican majority of the Legislature by
an exhibition Of steadfast devotion to the
fundamental law of the State. If we had been
able TO assume the Governors exalted mood we
should probably have said that he was DESTROYS
of thruSting the Republican party into an cX-
cavation, but as it is. We shall say bluntly that
he wants to put us in hole.
The fact ought not TO be overlooked that
Governor Hill takes his stand exclusively upon
the Constitution lie has nothing whatever to
say about injustice, oppression, impracucahll
ity. the apng Of foreign customs lie docSn Z
sheer a solitary sheer. Anybody who dhn Z
know him might suppose that his CONVICTION
of the unconstitutionality OF the SaXton bill had
cost him bitter pangs and tears. II he were
some other man, and not our own iamihaf
David Bennett Hill. il would be scarcely too
much TO expect that the present message would
he followed by another urging amendments 70
the Constitution 10 facilitate the adoption OF
lust such benefcent reforms as this. We should
rejoice to take such view OF the matter but
we simply can't, knowing the Governor 50
well. and remembering his course on similar
occasions. as. for instance. in the case OF the
McEvov Elevator bill. which he signed most
cheerfully accompanying his signature with the
frank assertion that, if the bill was unconS'i-
tutional, as many people supposed, the Court
of Appeals was entirely competent TO say 50
and fairly entitled 10 the privilege.
No. Governor; it won't do The Legislature
is not in doubt, and has no occasion 10 solicit
the opinions Of distinguished individuals
whether Judges or laymcn. Its duty has been
done. it's action concluded. If the Chief Macs
trate. whose turn to act has now come, desires
to have his own preference confirmed or con-
demncd by members of the Court OF Appeals he
has still eight days in which to accomplish that
object, and he might have had longer time
if he had been more energetic Three times
has Republican Legislature risen with de-
| libcratc courage to the full measure OF its re-
spOnsbility for an uncOrrIpted ballot. Twice
has the Governor, supported by Democratic
minority, defeated the reform. Another oppor-
tunity to deal with it now belongs exclusively
to him. 1t is within his power to dcfIaud the
| people, but not TO deceive them. He can veto
the bill, but he cannot shift the burden.