New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-21
STRANGE CAMPAIGN

The New York campaign Of 1891 approaches
its end with some characteristic features tha'
deserve the attention of voters who mean 70
promote good government. One OF these is that
the conduct of the campaign on the Democratic
side has been inexpreSsibly cowardly and knav-
ish. To realize that these strong words are not
undeserved one has only to remember what IN
depreciation will be placed upon Democratic
victory if one should be attained. Instantly the
party organs throughout the country, and par
tcularlv in this city, would shout that Protec-
ton had been defeated after years trial, and
that Free Trade had triumphed. But wha'
discussion of the tariff question do Democratic
sneakers or journals employ while the campaign
is in progress to induce voters to support their
ticket?
Read the latest speeches of Hill and Flower
himself. What do they contain3 Is there a
single argument upon any pending public ques-
ton? Is there the slightest attempt to show
that the tariff has in any way injured the peo-
pie? Is there even the weary repetition OF
oft-exploded theories which Democratic audi
enoes have so long been compelled to hear IN
stead of facts? Instead, what do intelligent
voters find? Mean insinuations and dirty SIAN
ders about Mr. Fassett personally. Appeals to
local and class interests, 50 low in their dema-
gogism that even the cheap demagogues Of the
party are getting disguised. A deluge OF false
hood about the location of the Worlds Fair, as
if eleven hundred thousand voters in this state
being called to determine upon their State gov
eminent for years to come could take no time
to secure good government, to put rascals out
or to get honest men in, until they had first
ascertained how far members of Congress at
Washington were actually influenced in select
ing Chicago by the course Of single State
Senator at Albany.
On the very face of things all this is dis
honest attempt to dodge the real issues OF the
campaign For there are real and vital issues
which will he affected by the votes of Novem-
Der. though Democrats take great care not to
discuss them. One is National; whether the
Protective policy promotes the welfare OF the
people and should be upheld The other be-
longs to the State; whether government by the
gang of public plunderers and corruphonlstS
known as Tammany Hall would be safe or hon
est government for this great Commonwealth.
These are questions which concern the personal
interest and the welfare of all the citizens OF
this State They are the questions which VIII
in fact influence nine-tenths OF the votes cast
on one side or the other. Yet Democrats are
so conscious of their weakness on these issues
that they say as little about them as possible
and are spending weeks in discussing the
Worlds Fair, and Mr.. FaSsetts action about the
confirmation of labor commission.
On both of the real questions to be affected
by votes in November the Democrats know that
they are weak. They are trying to steal vic
tory because they know full well that they
could not win a victory honestly. Tammany
Hall itself, in its own private meetings, con-
fesses that the good people of the State think
it's government outrageous, extravagant and cor
rupt, and its methods infamous, and talk about
irving to overcome this recognized impression.
As its leader said, the people really think Tam
MANY men wear horns Whether the entire
government of the State should be turned over
to this gang of election swindles and ballot-box
suffers, to the men who fill their pockets and
carry on their political campaigns by blackmail-
ing saloons and gambling -hells, is question
which the Democratic party is not ready to dis
cuss and no wonder.