New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-09
THE CONNECTICUT REPUBLICANS.

The Connecticut Republicans showed the
courage of their convictions, as well as their
sense of what is called " the logic of the situa-
tom in the action taken by their state Con
venton on Wednesday. In the denomination
of General Merwin they did something more
than indicate their belief in his personal popu-
larity as candidate they emphasized the fact
that, in their judgment, he had been wrongfully
deprived for two years Of the office to which
he was fairly entitled by all legal precedents
and by any just construction Of the laws OF
tho State. The pretence upon which he was
debarred from the enjoyment OF the office was
that by false and fraudulent count sufficient
number of ballots were discredited to leave the
Democratic candidate for Governor an ap-
parent majority Of the popular vote, whereas
he actually had only plurality, and under the
Connecticut law in the absence OF majority
vote the election of State officers passed to the
LEGISLATURE This was not new instance. 1t
had happened several times that the candidate
who received a plurality of tho votes failed OF
an election because tho Legislature on JOINT
ballot was of an opposite political complexion.
No question had ever been raised as to the con
stitutionality or legality Of such an election.
1t happened, however, in this case that the
false returns from the town of Bridgeport gave
an apparent majority to the Democratic candi-
date On the strength of this" the face OF
the returns.n as they usually call the dodge
by which they propose to take an unfair ad-
vantage-the State Senate, which was Demo
cratic. refused to do anything until the Bridge
port fraud was mado valid and the Democratic
candidate for Governor recognized and inaugu-
rated.
Just there everything stopped. There was
no election. Had there been an investigation
the bridgeport fraud would have been revealed
il would have appeared that there was no cleo
ton By the people, and the Legislature, being
Republican on joint ballot by small major
ity. would have chosen General Morwin Tor
Governor Democratic Senate resolved Out
Of hand, without regard to the Constitution or
the laws or anything else to stay all legislation
and make an end Of all the orderly processes
Of government until Tho face OF tho returns
should be recognized and the Democratic Gov
ernor inaugurated. So for two years, the fuli
term Of Governor, there has been no legs
lation nothing but deadlock. 1t is not neces-
sary TO rccapituate here all the difficulties that
this state OF things brought about in tho adj
mnistration OF the Statos affairs. IL is sufli-
Gent TO say that tho then Governor, Morgan IT,
Bulkeley, was quite equal to the anomalous
condition. and in the face Of great deal of
violent opposition-not least OF which was the
refusal Of the lato Governor OF this state, Mr.
David b. Hill, to honor his acquisitions Tor
horse-thicves and such-simply stood IN his
place and exercised his function. For two
wears the State Of Connecticut had a Governor
and had all its executive departments in active
oneration simply because Morgan Bulkeley was
at the head and attending right TO business
Tho State owes him great deal more than
its average citizen thinks. For he had what
they call in street parlance "sand'f; and in an
iutcrrcgnum which might have resulted in great
disturbance he kept tho peace, preserved order
and provided out OF his own credit and resources
the means for keeping the whole machinery OF
the State in orderly movement.
Meantime, General Merwin, who was Lieu
tenant-G Governor and tho prospective Governor
stood in q most embarrassing position, being
under the law the presiding officer of the SEN
ato and at tho same time, if the regular con-
stit,,tional process were followed the Governor
o,cct No man ever had q more delicate or en-
barrassng position to fill. No man could have
done it with more becoming grace. General
Mcrwin deserved denomination, not more be-
cause of his having been illegally deprived OF
the Office to which he was fairly entitled than
because of his admirable behavior under the
irving circumstances of the last two years.
The convention responded to the popular desire
in his denomination. More than that, it planted
the party upon its belief in the correctness and
tho honesty of its position in 1891. And in
tho heartiness Of the applause it gave Morgan
Bulkelcy it sgnihed its absolute approval OF
the courage and consistency with which for
two years. while TRANQUILITY enduring more abuse
than any of his predecessors even in the STORM
est times, he has simply, squarely and honestly
stood up.
. and Assembly nominations