New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-25
THE DEMOCRATIC SURRENDER.

Governor Hill evidently has heard something
drop-himself and the Democratic Senators. lie
must have discovered that, in organizing dead
lock of the Legislature simply to shield Demo-
cratic canal officials from being investigated, he
and his tools in the Senate have committed an
amazing blunder. lie seems to realize at last
that the course he and his plant Senators have
pursued in making a desperate fight for the de-
feat of the Laughlin resolution has aroused
public sentiment which bids fair to make itself
felt in the overwhelming defeat OF the De-
mocracy in the fall elections.
On no other theory is the bill which was in
troduced in both branches of the Legislature
Yesterday to be explained. This bill provides
for an investigation Of the canals, and the fact
that it was presented IS to be regarded as the
surrender Of the Democratic position. Hill and
his lieutenants have been opposing the Laughlin
resolution on the ground that there was nothing
TO investigate. Now by bringing forward this
bill they virtually admit that there is something
to investigate. Senator Cantor on Thursday
read a statement OF the Democratic atutuue
toward the resolution-a statement which, IN
response to an inquiry, he admitted was pre-
pared by Governor Hill-n which it was as
serted that eve (the Democratic Senators) do
not object to the investigation of specific charges
properly authenticated But the Governors
bill does not pretend to limit the investigation
to specific charges properly authenticated" but
is as general in its terms as the Laughlin resolu-
ton. Again. when the resolution first came up
for debate Senator Jacobs, speaking for his
fellow Democratic Senators, and more partlc-
ularly for his and their boss, Governor Hill, con-
demned it on the ground that it would entail
needless expense upon the State. Yet the new
BILL the Democratic BILL appropriates $4,000
for an investigation.
| But. although the bill is interesting as sub
stantial admission on the part of Hill and his
followers that their conduct has been indie
feasible, as a legislative measure it is pal
pable absurdity. OF course it was not INTRO
duced with the expectation that 1T would DC
passed. 1t was introduced in bad faith, fol
buncombe only, with the hope Of decelving the
more verdant of the voters. 1t provides for q
commission of five persons to be appointed by
the Governor, the Senate to confirm, and to con-
sist of two members of the Republican party
two of the Democratic, and IAN independent
citizen or one not belonging to either OF Such
political parties.n Here certainly is the richest
kind of richness A Governor convicted in the
eyes of intelligent men on evidence furnished
by himself of employing all the great powers Of
his office to protect the canal ring from inyesti
CATION now has the brazcn assurance to ask thai
he may name an investigating commission
Dick Turpin with equal propriety might have
requested the privilege of naming a commission
TO investigate charges relating to highwaymen
1t is to be assumed that this scheme will pass
the Assembly-llill will order it through thai
body. But it will get no further. The Repub
lican Senators are committed to the LaughliI
resolution, and will accept no compromise OF an!
sort proposed by the recognized champions o.
the canal ring. But few more days remain
of the session. If the Democratic obstruction
lists in the Senate decide to fight the resolution
until next Thursday, when the Legislature vii
adjourn sine die, let them do so. The Repub
leans may well rejoice to go before the people
in November on the issue thus raised.