New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-31
AERILn DE RRIRERY.


There is something extremely touching in the
solictude of the new Tammany organ iof inc
nurity of the ballot. The danger that threatens
our liberties through the purchase OF votes Dy
Custom House officers and Postoflicc clerks have
kent 1.-THE Times in what might be called a
stale Of mind for the last three or four weeks
IFS frs agitation was over the discovery that Il
Republican member of Congress had signed d
circular requesting subscriptions for the cam
paign fund and that copies OF the circular hau
been addressed to some persons who were eu-
eral officehoders. 1.-The Times" very quickly
observed that not only was this violation OF
law. but that it struck at the foundation OF
free institutions, there being no doubt that
the money raised in this way was to be used
in corrupting tho franchise and biibing the
voter It was clearly high-handed attempt on
the mart of the Federal Administration TO
strengthen itself in this State with a view to
running all our industries over again. 1t SAID
with much excitement that the Congressman
ought to be prosecuted Immediately And when
il was not done Immediately it called upon the
District Attorney to do his duty. The District
Attorney not paying much heed, it grew still
more excited. and intimated that he was in the
plot and ought to be impeached
II quieted down after little but it never
ceased to keep sharp lookout for the BAD men
who are conspiring together to debauch the state
1t announced yesterday as the result OF Its Watch
fitness that it had unearthed what 1t calls
"Platt's Plan of Bribery From this 1t APP
pears that the Republican State Committee have
in hand the enormous sum of 81, 100000, which
- ID 10 in tha Wholesale purchase
of votes. "The Times" gives in detail the plan
of distribution by counties, apportonlng o'oV,-
600 to New-York and S430, 900 to Kings. his
great sum has been raised, it says first by as
sessing 10000 Federal officers at $40 apiece
then by large contributions from the RepuoIcal
National Committee, from the representatives OF
monopolies from friends of Mr.. Blaine, one OF
whom gives S25, 600, from Wall Street bankers,
one of whom gives $50 900, and from Mr.. as
setts relatives, one of whom gives S10,O0O.
The Republican State Committee, according 10
"The Times" is just rolling in money 1t has
ga pethoric pocket-book," and is discussing
funds with large and generous hand" All OF
which is as much news at the Republican head
quarters as to the readers OF 1.-The IlmeS," ana
attests to the business enterprise as well as the
political activity and vigilance OF that Journal
While we are touched by this manifestation
of solcitude for the purity Of elections on the
part of the Tammany organ, we must say that
we believe its fears are groundless. Under
law passed by Republican Congress in 1883
the raising of money for election purposes from
Federal officeholdeH is put under such restrlc-
tons that the danger from that source Is reduced
to a minimum. 1t may be that monopolIstS ana
bankers have raised enormous sums OF money,
but we do not quite see the motive for It, They
are bent on running the business OF the country
of course but having ruined it once by the Nc
Kinley bill, we hardly think they are giving
checks for $4,000 and $4,000 this year to
ruin it over again As to Mr.. Fassetts relatives
is it wise for Mr.. Flowers supporters to open
that question?
And. by the way has "The Tines made any
inquiry as to the amount OF money raised by
Tammany? Has it any information concerning
Mr.. Flowers subscription? Or the subscriptions
of his relatives? Or the assessments made by
Tammany upon the army of O1ic ehoders whom
there is no law to prevent It's squeezing? Or
the thousands and tens of thousands of dollars
that Tammany takes as blOod-money from gam
blers, brothe-keeperS, and all the dangerous
classes? Or the toll it takes on the millions in
the tax levy? Why might not this make an
interesting branch of inquiry for :" The Times?
1t was not 50 long since that journal thought
Tammany did more or less business III the bnb-
cry and corruption business. Has it changed its
mind? Who pays the expenses of the Tam
many canvass, anyway? VIII 1.-The Times"
please tell us?