New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-27
THE DOUGLE OFFICE-HOLDER.

In most States of the American Union. 1t IS
roouopant IN constitutional law for any man
holding a State Office to accept federal coni-
mission without reSigning his place IN the ser
vice of the State. The reason OF TINS IS oo-
vious. Our theory of government assumes me
harmonious operation of two sets OF laws anu
two sets Of administrators, and the purify anu
efficiency of the system depend on keeping these
two parts Of it ever separate distinct ana III
denendent. The State so far as 1t goes, IS
sovereign. The Union is sovereign. too, in Its
sphere. and the only danger to this dual ar
rangement is to be apprehended when the State
encroaches on the one hand or the Union on the
other. Although disputed by no party TINS Is
the pet doctrine of the Democracy lhey never
cease to harp upon it. Almost every pfopoSil'oh
TO attribute to the Federal authorities general
supervision of this or that affair wherein stare
interests seem to clash State authority 10 De
inadequate for the protection OF the 'NauonN
interest is. and always has been, opposed D!
the Democratic party as an invasion OF ota'e
rights. or at least as a dangerous precedent, De-
cause tending to menace them. ms argument
has been brought TO bear against Protec'lFe
Tariff. against canals and other National works
in aid of commerce. against paper money I'M
pressed with the dignity and value OF Iegal
tender. In fact. it is the leading stock argu-
ment of the Democracy.
In orr own State the principle that public
officers should not be under Obligations to bo'h
the State and the Nation at the same time has
not been so broadly ayoWcd as 1t is IN almost
every other It does apply, however, to mem
hers of the Legislature. There is even more
reason why it should apply TO an executive. lie
is the chief of the State, its right arm ana It's
voice. He holds its sword and enforces IFS Will.
If if be though: possible that danger to state
interests may arise from situation IN whlch
one of hundred and fifty legislators holds
Federal comm SSion, receives Federal saiafy
and owes duty to Federal authority, how much
greater is the danger to be presumed when the
States Chief Magistrate is thus affected? On
tho All of March Governor Hill became Sen
otor of the United States. lie was elected not
70 serve when Congress is in session only, but
for a term of six years beginning on that cx-
pressed date. In continuing to hold the oiilcc
of Governor he is guilty oil . gross violation OF
one of the soundest Of American doctrines, the
very one which his party Affects to hoid III
especial reverence.
1t is said in defending hin that he has not
actually accepted the office and will not DO so
until Congress meets in December but this. OF
course. is mere evasion, and particularly
petty one HIS salary began when his term
of office began. lie accepted the office when ne
allowed the Legislature to adjourn without elect
ing his successor. TO bubble about the moment
when he will actually take his seat is char
acteristic trick sort Of political prank in which
Governor Hill commonly INDUCES. Now the
fact is that everybody knows the Governor
is pursuing an indeiensible course and that his
motive is political. partisan and selfish. II IS
his purpose TO keep control Of his partisan MA
cbinorv. to hold it 80 as 10 be able to dictate
tho Democratic nominations next fall. ms Is
his reason. and the whole Of it, and ii is even
less decent than the act it inspires. We DO not
hesitate 10 say that there is no other man IN
public life anywhere in America to-day who
could be guilty of such misconduct for such
reason and continue to hold mp his head except
Governor Hill, and the only reason OF his I'M
munitv is the rank decentralization OF the New
York Democracy. They will swallow anything
if only it be bad enough They will accept any
leadership which can give spoils to the party
in quantity sufficient to keep the party organ
lied They have no use for morals or prln-
ciples, ard Hill suits them to dot.