New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-12
Troy rNDER ZINC RULE.

The record made by the Legislature OF 1892
was 50 abominably bad in 50 many respects
that it is difficult to decide which was its most
dsgraceful feature But from some points of
view the treatment which the principle of
home rule received from this weak and cor
rlpt body is entitled to the palm. There is
nothing to which the Democracy of this state
is more passionatcly devoted-on paper-than
home rule. Whatever else It's platforms omit,
they never are silent touching home rule.
Democratic stump speakers are never SO clo-
quent as when pleading for home rule or heap
ing curses red with uncommon wrath upon
its foes Nevertheless, this legislature Dem
ocratic in both its branches. literally cruclled
home rule. 1t did not hesitate to NEEDLE with
the charters of many of the leading cities of
the State. and that. too, for the basc>t partisan
purpose. There was no pretence that II abro-
gated home rule in the interest of the common
welfare. No. 1t simply jockeycd the charters
to add to the power Of Democratic bosses
The letter from Troy from one of our staff
correspondents, which is printed this morn
ing. recalls and emphasizes this fragrant niquity
Of the last Legislature. There Is no political
ring in the interior 50 interruptions a. the Troy
KING, whose Ud>l'I- >I.Iib - IsuNi4A .''i f''f
IT.. the chairman Of the Democratic Committee.
Il is a ring which has Is little respect for the
VIII Of the majority Is the wolf has for the
will Of the lamb. II relies for success az the
polls, not on honest ballots, bat on early -and-
often reporters Ii looks upon an honest
count as good joke. and always proceeds to
business on the assumption that might, how
ever rascally its methods, makes right. Under
its malign rule Troy has come 10 have rcpu-
tatlOn Of being the Synonymc for all that i
most dishonest and dcmoralilng in p"liticS.
II was for the benefit Of this notorious ring, aS
our correspondent shows. that the charter of
Troy was amended IN >undry particulars. II
would scarcely be too much 10 affirm that every
one Of the amendments was a blow Subversivc
Of popular government, and wa, meant 10 be
Just that to the end that the ring should profit
by the injury inflicted upon the common wei
fare Of the people of Troy. \ serious indct-
mcnt this. but one which is fully borne out by
the facts presented in the letter in question.
Why was the Troy charter amended rs 10
change the date Of the city election? Why was
it amended so as to give the Mayor the APP
pointment of the Police Commissioners? Sim
ply to serve the ring by rendering it easier
than ever to carry elections by fraud.
When Governor Flower signed the measure
which made ducks and brakes of home rule
in Buffalo, the leading Democratic organ of
that city took him to task in this drastic man
ner:
The eignng Of this bill Indicates that In this case
Governor Flower for political pull than
for public sentiment II also indicate, that far
as this case Is concerned all his talk In his annual
message with reference TO home rule in municipal
affairs was az sounding bri's or a inhlng cymbal.
When a venerable Democratic organ feels
compelled to talk like that to a Democratic
Governor one may be sure that it has received
an unusual provocation. We believe that the
Democratic organ of Troy, "Thc Troy Press"
never arraigned the Governor in similar terms
for the outrageS against Troy to which he be-
came party when he signed the Charter bills.
Which goes to prove, we regret to say, that
unlike 1.-THE Courier" Mr.. Murphys organ
cares more for the local ring than it does for
the great principle of home rule.