The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-27
An Innocent Abroad.

The Hon. ANDREW DICKSON WHITE, mag
unanimously forgiving the little bunco game
OF which he was the victim at Rochester.
left his library for few hours last Satur-
day and spoke n piece at the Cooper Union
In favor OF Hungry TON. Mr.. WHITE has
studied what he calls the warfare Of relig-
ion and science good deal, and the warfare
Of PLArT and the State Of New York not at
all. One or two things in his Cooper Union
speech betray o simplicity Of ignorance
that deserves to be set right. Mr.. WHITE
is more at home in the middle ages than in
1891. and he doesn't know what is going on
outside OF his library. why" he asks. WAS
Mr.. FLOWER nominated 2" II Mr.. WHITE
will ask some of the Ithaca Democrats
this question, they will tell him that Mr..
FLOWER was nominated because the DEM
ocratic party Of the State OF New York
wanted to nominate him. II Mr.. WHITE
seeks to know why it wanted to nominate
Mr.. FLOWER. the Hon. FRANCIS HERMAN. q
Utica Democrat who may be known in
Ithaca, will tell him. Here are Mr.. kER-
MANS reasons:
Because Mr.. FLOWER Is well qualified.
Because Mr.. FLOWER is anxious to do his
duty well for his own sake and the sake Of
New York.
Because Mr.. Flowers scrupulous integ-
rity in the past gives assurance that he will
be the Incorporating foe Of jobbery Of
any kind.
Because Mr.. FLOWER is shrewd Judge Of
men: it is certain that his appointments to
Office will be of the best character.
Because Mr.. FLOWER will not be subservi-
ent to any man or set Of men.
Here is another passage OF Mr.. WHITES
speech penned in the library:
leone now to another question which ID both ma.
tional and State and trust that our Independent
friends will bear with mo while make one or two
marks upon it. 10 the question Of the reform Of the
civil service Of this country. Now that simply means
that the number Of minor oces In this country
shall be no longer considered political spols to be
dealt this that political boss and without any
regard to tho public interest," but that they shall be
distributed In the same manner IL the where
merit 10 recognized in accordance with the fitness Of
an applicant and without obllsng him do the work.
the dirty work. Of any political boss or henchmAn"
Then Mr.. WHITE proceeded to pour mo-
lasses upon the Administration for its
fidelity to this principle. The Hon. JOEL B.
ERHARDT sat on the platform. II Mr..
WHITE were familiar with contemporary
politics. he would know that Mr.. ERHARDr
resigned the post of Collector OF this port
because the power Of appointing and con-
trolling the officials was given to the boss
Of Mr.. WHITES party In New York:
"Ths Collector" said Mr.. ERnARpr. has been re
duced position where he II longer indepsn.
dent officer. with authority commemorate with his
responsibility.
1.-THE recent policy OF the Treasury Department has
been control the details OF tho customs administra
tion At the port Of New York from Warrington the
dictate of . private individual having official
sponsibiity The Collector Is practically deprived OF
power and control while he 10 left subject all respon
sibty. The once Is no longer independent. and
Therefore We have separated"
Mr.. FAssETT mcckly accepted the place
which Mr.. ERHAnDr was too proud to hold.
Mr.. FAssETr accepted the nomination for
Governor under the same humiliating con-
ditlons. II it Is civil service reform for the
Administration to make Mr.. PLArr dictator
at the Custom House. Gen. HARRISON is a
civil service reformer. If seeking to make
Mr. PLAT boss OF the State patronage is
fighting against tho distribution OF politl-
cal spoils to boss. Mr.. WHITE is helping
civil service reform this year. But the
fact Is that Mr.. WHITE. hearing Mr.. PLATr
yell Tammany." has got up in the lnno-
cence OF his heart and begun to yell Fire"
His nightcap has fallen down upon his
venerable eyes, and he is not to be blamed
for seeing what is net and not seeing what Is.