New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-13
INJECTING Politics.

Mr.. Isaac II. Maynard is charged with steallng
election returns. With stealing them in the IN
terest and for the benefit of one political party
1t i, alleged that he was appointed Judge of the
Court Of Appeals BY that party'S lately elected
Governor As a reward for the crime. No pom
inent leader of that party has protested against
the appointment nor denounced the cline 10
all outward appearance the Democratic party as
an organization upholds the criminal and APP
proves the crime, simply because through their
agency the party has been placed in absolute
control in the State. Solely because OF this
crime that patty has been enabled TO enact laws
which are intended TO strengthen and make
permanent its hold on power KS human nature
is at present constituted. it is not strange per-
hans. that Democrats, whatever may be their
personal opinions concerning the criminal ana
the crime, do not give public expression to their
indignation to make themselves conspicuous IN
denunciation of the whole proceeding.
This was a political crime. Il is saturated
with politics from the inception of the dishoneS;
design to the disgraceful promotion Of the con
trver and pepetrator. So great scandal, az
fccting III it does the character and standing Il
the judiciary and the integrity of the highest
State court could not be ignored by the sell
respecting members of the bar. The l}ar ASso-
citation could net decently pass ii by without some
action. That action was the appointment oil
Committee of Investigation composed oil nine OF
it's own members. 1t would be very dncu!t,
perhaps impossible, to select nine members OF
the Bar Association whose position and influence
entitlc them to public confidence who have not
some political affiliations; who are not known
either as Democrats or Republicans. In TINS
state of affairs how would Il committee OF nine
amounted 70 investigate political scandal manu-
rally be constituted? 1t could not be equally
divided. The plcponderance unqueStlonably
should be on the side Of the accused party. Ih1i
would be expected But as a matter OF fact
eight of the nine are Democrats. THE TRIBUNE
EXPRESSED little surprise at this, at the same
time disavowing any suspicion that the purpose
was TO whitcwash Mr. Maynard.
But it seems, according to "The Evening
Post" "Thc Tines and "The World" that
this mild expression Of surprise is an attempt to
Inject politics. into the investigation. They
seem to be Of the opinion that il there were
more than one Republican on the committee the
report. if adverse To Maynard, would be aScrlbed
to political malice. The possibility Of rcpor.
favorable to MAYNARD does not appear To have
occurred to them We certainly hope their as
surance Is well founded. But suppose the eight
Democrats should dSappoint them, what then
There is, we are glad to believe, no reason to
suppose that there will be any whitewaShins in
the case We still think however, that in such
a case as this the proportion Of eight TO one on
the committee is so unusual rs TO justify our mild
expression of surprise. Perish the thought that
we should desire to "incct politics into an in
ouiry 80 far removed from politics as this one.
But isn't it carrying things rather far when
comment on-not protest againSt-thc appoint
mcnt Of eight Democrats to one Republican to
investigate political crime perpctrated by their
own party. is p0nced upon As an attempt TO
inject politics into the inquiry?