New-York tribune., 1891-12-16
/" "LAISSEZ FdIRE."

language sufficient for conveying its views and
expressing it's opinions but the French phrase
"laissez faire expresses so clearly the indiffer-
ence with which the public regards the present
political situation in this State, and its signifi-
canoe is so generally understood that no excuse
is needed for it's use The relation of the gentle-
man who is now exercising the functions of Chief
Executive of this State and holding in allegiance
the other important office of United States Sen
ator to current politics is so unusual, so anoma-
lous, that one would suppose it might excite
extensive comment We cannot recall an in
stance in our political history where one man
has 50 undisguisedly and with such absolute as
suiance assumed so many and such diverse
powers and functions as the present Governor
of this State. But beyond few scattered COM
ments, which relate rather to the questions OF
good taste and Judgment involved than to the
essential consideration of dangerous precedent
which the situation presents, there seems to be
not much feeling anywhere upon the subject
People appear ITO be saying " Let it CO." who
cares ?' and viewing the whole complication
with almost absolute indifference. In our view
of it this condition of public opinion illustrates
the perfect confidence all feel in the stability
and permanence Of our institutions, and the fixed
conviction that no matter TO what heights per-
sonal selfish ambition may aspire or what tenn
porary successes it may attain, it will in the end
simply oerleap itself and tumble to some rldic-
ulous ending without having done any serious
damage TO the general welfare.
We have 50 successfully Outlived the Benedict
Arnolds and Aaron Burrs and Jefferson Davises
and Boss Tweeds that we have come to uook
upon any effort of single man or nng TO
grasp unusual power as rather ridiculous than
dangerous. Instead of being awakened TO a
sense of peril or feeling anything like alarm at
the absorption of power in the hands of schem-
ing leader or a powerful ring, we say Oh'
let them 60 on give them rope enough and they
will presently hang themselves" There's
cheerful optimism about all this which IS moi
without its pleasing side. But, after all, is there
not something in the present political situation
in this State which should awaken serious thought
instead of being passed over with indifference?
1t is not particularly pleasant reflection Tor
citizen of the State of New York that we are so
destitute of statesmen, so barren OF competent
and intelligent men of affairs so weak IN ex-
ecutive ability and so feeble in lawmakng skill
that only one man among lis is fit to be Governor
of the State and at the same time to represent
il in the highest legislative body in the land.
But that is what Mr.. David B. Hill is saying
every one of these December days, and what We
are all listening to, if not with perfect compla-
cency, at least without any demonstration of
condemnation or disgust. There were other
men in his own party willing to accept the Office
of United States Senator, and not less hit than
he, who could have entered upon its duties with
out other official entanglement. But he stepped
in and took it. Not content with that, he SAID,
with sublime assurance: " am so important 90
the State as its Governor that | must continue
in that office also" and 80 continues to hold BOTH
Not only that, but with unparalleled greed OF
power and shameless audacity he has signalized
his retention of the Executive Office by prosti-
tuting its functions to the basest OF partisan
uses in a high handed attempt to force upon the
State Legislature, not of the peoples, but OF
his own choosing. 1t might be added, though
they are matters of minor consequence, that be-
sides the multifarous functions he has thus en-
crossed he has put himself in absolute control
of the organization of his party in the State, and
by unseemly interference with the preliminary
proceedings in the organization of the branch
OF Congress OF WHICH nc Is nop d hohio0i h"'
reached out for unlimited control of his party in
the Nation In other countries man OF such
overweening concet and ovepowering ambi-
ton, with such resources as he has shown Of
cunning craft and chicanery, would be consid-
cred dangerous There have been times when
he would have been so considered here, and
aroused public sentiment would have admins
tered reproof so indignant and so forceful ehat
even he could not help feeling it through his
brazen assurance and pachydematous conceit
But the popular mood to-day is apparently that
of indifference and the disposition is to "give
him rope enough" We are not pessimists but
we have heretofore taken occasion to say that
David b. Hill is dangerous man man to be
watched. We repeat it.