New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-28
SHALL CRIME PREVAILf

1t seems waste OF time to appeal to fair
ness integrity or sense of shame in men like
Governor Hill and his tools. They are guilty
of an infamous crime, and they know it, but are
destitute of the decency which makes most OF the
reputable Democratic newspapers condemn their
action in strong terms. 1t is Hills idea that the
people have long known how corrupt and ras-
cally his political practices have been, and yet
have supported him, and the very voters who
have censured him openly 60 straight to the
polls ami vote for him, as they would for any
other candidate of his party. He reasons that
unblushing knavery does kindle the enthusiasm
and attach the support of those who like CRIME
IL the worst rascal gains the favor OF some ras-
Gals, meanwhile losing not vote among men
who are decent enough to censure his conduet,
what has he to fear?
Yet il is a mistake for Governor Hill to imagine
that honest and reputable Democrats will 60 on
without end unfolding him and his party in such
offences against free government. An end is
slow in coming, but it will surely come. In
Ohio shameless theft of political power by the
last Democratic Legislature has been followed
by a defeat so overwhelming that the party Will
be weaker in that State for generation to come.
A similar popular overthrow of Democratic dis
honesty in Indiana and in Michigan is to be ex-
pected. In this State it may not be long de-
layed, because many thousand Democratic voters
will read in their own favored newspapers the
details of the attempted robbery this year. and
will have no excuse for doubling what they read.
1t happens also that Governor Hill had gone TO
the very verge of shamelessness, and had strained
the patience of decent Democrats, before this
latest crime was concocted Moreover, his close
alliance with Tammany Hall and its most UNI
scrpulous and corrupt men has further strained
the patience of his political associates in rural
districts
II would not be strange if the deeds OF this
wear should insure popular uprising in New
York next fall Mr.. Hill himself is not likely
to be candidate after his recent behavior any
Democratic leader would need extraordinary i'm
pudence to propose Hill as the nominee of a
National party. But be the candidate whom he
NAV. whether Cleveland, Flower, or some man
from another State, the political crime OF this
year will cost him votes in New-York, and in
other States also. TO suppose that it Will en-
tail no loss of strength is to believe that Amerl-
can voters are too dishonest to be worthy OF
self-government.
Governor Hill and his fellow-thleves ma!
reckon that they can intrench themselves SO
strongly by new appointments for Congress
sional and legislative elections and by changes
of the election laws that their power IN the
State cannot be broken. So the Democratic
robbers in Ohio calculated, and yet in single
wear THEN overthrow was so complete that even
Republican leaders are amazed, and the Repub-
Icop majority in both branches OF the Legs
lature is larger than anybody expected. A
change of few. thousand votes, scattered in
| close districts. would make mighty difference
in the prospect of parties in New-York, and
such change Democrats are doing their utmost
to bring about They are blindly preparing
too. for National Election law and apportion-
ment. which will not be long delayed when II
is found that the nfamies of Southern Demo
Gratis are now to be practised upon the voters Of
| Northern States also.