New-York tribune., 1891-05-16
THE POSSIBILITIES OF HILL.

y annears to Democrats of other States
strange thing that Governor Hill Is so srons
in the State OF New-YOrx They measure as
we'll as they can his ability as public man
and as a politician, and frankly confess they
cannot comprehend the sources OF his strength.
Their difficulty is that they do not understand
the strength of the liquor interest in this State,
which has come to regard him as its especial
representative, nor do they rightly measure the
extent and force Of the corrupt influence which
has been exerted in recent elections IN tniS
State.
1t is only fair to say that, when these sources
of strength are considered in their true hgho
| Governor Hill is nowhere more favoraDly re-
| earded by Democrats on account OF them' III
all the States there has been a disposition to
deal cautiously with the liquor interest, and the
nolicy of the party has been essentially cat
footed and tentative as respects that ISSUE
But Governor Hill, alone among prominent
Democrats. has been uncompromising, open,
bold and unscrupulous in his advocacy of the
measures which the liquor interest has desired.
| In that regard he stands without rival. NO
other Democrat of prominence has CHOSEN 10
OCCUPY similar position. With all other prom
inent men of his party there has been an ever
present feeling that they were likely to lose
among reputable and temperance Democrats as
much as they could gain by any open advocacy
of the liquor interest. 1t has seemed to OoV-
ernor Hill expedient to pursue different course
| and it is not to be denied that he has thereby
gained measure of strength, in State elections
at least. which no other candidate OF his party
has ever secured But this very fact is by no
means to his advantage in other States, where
the Democratic party has chosen to court the
support of temperance men.
Again, as respects the use of money, there
has been more or less corruption in many other
States. not by one party alone. But Governor
Hill has been for years conspicuous among Dem
ocrats for the frankness and unblushing au-
dacity with which he and his immediate friends
have employed corrupt means to control elec-
tions. In this respect, also, ne has HUE
sympathy among the rght-thinklng and SIN
cere Democrats of~other parts OF the country,
who are in the habit of appealing to the pop
ular vote for support and relying upon its un-
bought decision.
1t follows that there Is prevalent, with regard
to Governor Hill, singular lack OF confidence
among Democrats In other States They be-
lieve that he has the support Of the liquor in
terest in the State of New-York only so far as
that support may be necessary to secure control
Of the State Government. They may not be-
lieye that the same measure of support would
be given to him if he should be a candidate for
the Presidency by the same individual or the
same interest, because the control of the liquor
traffic in the State of New-Yorl1 would no longer
depend upon the result of the election. Neither
do they feel confidence that the unscrupuous
methods employed in local elections by Gov
ernor Hill or his friends could be employed with
the same success in Presidential campaign.
They are well aware that great many voters
who prefer the Republican ticket on account Of
National policies might here and there be per-
suaded IN vote for local Democratic candidate
who would not yield to similar persuasions in a
Presidential campaign.
Hence it is that Democrats Of other States
do not as rule favor Hill as Presidential can
didate. They do not like his methods, and they
do not trust them. Yet if the delegation from
the State OF New-York should be united in a
National convention in favor of Governor Hill,
and should declare that he and nobody else
could carry the State beyond peradventure as
such delegations are apt to declare when urging
the nomination of favorite, it is not unlikely
the statements thus made would have a strong
influence in convention. II the representatives
of the Democracy in other States could be con-
yinced that New-York could be carried by Gov
ernor Hill, and by nobody else, it goes without
saying that they would nominate him unhesi-
tatngly. 1t is difficult for men of other parties
, to believe that such representation can be
made, regarding the vote of the State of New
York, by men Of reputation and standing, and
yet it is certain that exactly this claim will be
, set UP on behalf OF Governor Hill by his ardent
e supporters, il he is able to secure the deega-
Q ton from this State.
> The policy of the Republican party in this
regard is exceedingly plain. Its Obvious duty
3 is to nominate the best and strongest man it
can select and carefully to avoid catering to the
q interests which candidates like Governor Hill
. may seek 10 control. Ii is not the business Of
) Republicans to countenance any surrender what
ever of Republican principles, for by such sur
render they would lose far more than they could
t hope to gain. Ii they nominate q straight and