New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-01
Has HE BLUNDEREDf

HAS HE BLUNDEREDT
A Democratic newspaper published in Phia-
delphia referring some time ago to the current
speculations concerning the probable course OF
Governor Senator Hill during December gave
what is probably the prevailing view OF that
gentleman among Democratic politicians. :" MI
HILL said the journal in question, has not as
vet been convicted of a political blunder curing
his long public career lie is a born politician
and Id s public affairs and the manipulation OF
party machinery as the average citizen loves
home and family. No ties of kindred, no do
nestle interests or ambitions, distract his atten-
ton from his public duties. His course during
December will as nearly reveal the true nature
of the man as could be possible in the case OF
one who keeps his own counsel so closely" lhere
are differences Of opinion as to what constructs
"political blunder" consequently differences
as to whether Governor Hill has committed any
in his long public career. The only marked
feature Of his administration and the distinguish
ing characteristic of his career has been intense
undertaking craftsmanship. Whether he was
originally melted to taking this direction by the
desire to set himself in contrast with Grover
Cleveland when that gentleman was dallylng
with the Mugwumps and attempting the role or
a non partisan. or whether he followed the bent
of natural instincts il not important Sufficient
that from the beginning of his public career and
especially since the time when he made, with
a drum major flourish, the commonplace an
nouncement, 81 am a Democrat" he has been
always and everywhere partisan and aeadef
of partisans, and that only.
Is that blunder? TO be known, not for
comprehensive grasp of the great questions thai
divide parties, not for manly avowal OF conVlc-
tons on current political issues not for courage
and determination and intellectual force III main
tanning and defending the principles of party,
but for partisan cunning and trickery, for Wlles
and stratagems for " manipulation OF party ma
cbinery''-is that blunder? Looked at broad
". from any point of view above the level OF
saloon politics and the noisome stenches OF the
slums. it would seem so. That is the belief OF
the Mugwump contingent and of small fraction
Of reputable Democrats. Governor Hill, as is
well said by his Philadelphia admirer, sis a
born politician and loves public affairs and tho
maninulation of party machinery The poll
tican is born, the statesman Is educated traii'eu
one follows the natural instincts and reyels III
the pursuit and possession Of power for his per-
sona pleasure and enjoyment; the highest am
btion Of the other is to achieve distinction Tor
! some contribution to the general good Inc
| " nublic affairs' which Governor Hill loves
| are only public affairs in the sense that the
manipulation of party machinery is pubic
| affair. and there is, unfortunately, great deal
| in his manipulation to warrant the belief that
he considers it rather a private than public
affair. On such public affairs as the tariff and
| currency he takes no really decided stand. HIS
! utterances on either Free Trade or Free Silver
| have been so non-cOmmttal and ambiguous that
no one can say absolutely whether he VIII act
| with the Democratic ProtectioniSts or Free
| Traders: with the Free-Silver or Anti-Silyer
wing. Is it blunder to be nothing but mamp-
ulator of party machinery? Doubtless the aver
ace Democrat will answer that it all depends on
whether he succeeds in his manipulations.
| Well, to-day ne seems to be successful. lie
has played bold game. Bolder than any since
Aaron Burr. And he has taken everything in
! SIGHT. Some men thought he blundered when
he antagonized Cleveland. 1t does not look SO
now They thought his treachery III the matter
of the SenatOrship was blunder. But the men
| he abandoned and the men he betrayed are ap-
parently submissive. They thought he bluh-
dered in his choice OF Flower to succeed him.
Seeing Flower a plant tool in his hands, they
don't think so now. They thought it was
| blunder when Tammany was accredited as the
sole representative of the party in this town.
They saw the County Democracy walk humbly
to the rear and they changed their minds. Ihey
thought it was a blunder that he didn't make 1t
ND with Door old Jones. 1t does not seem to
have been. They thought he blundered IN de-
Gliding TO hold on to the Governorship till the
expiration of his term. They observe his fine
work in setting up the Legislature, and are be-
/ ginning to change their minds. And now, see
ing him directing the action of Returning Boards,
setting himself above the judiciary overruling
courts, melting crimes by promises of immunity
to offenders, and using all the authority, prestige
and power of the Executive office to consummate
the greatest possible outrage upon free govern
ment, they are wondering il all this is not
blunder. Perhaps not. He is dealing with q
people slowly reused. He may not yet have
reached the end of his tether. But he must
bear a charmed life indeed to keep it up much
longer. Soon or late he will find the prompt
ings of his bad ambition to be but Juggling
fends' that patter with him in a double sense I;
that keep the word of promise to his ear but
break it to his hope.
And then! No blunder? Rather, all one
long blunder.