The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-01

~ tAitS III tiiOio tbo ~ '>hD
independence TO express Its disapproval
cf.
The Times knows very little Of Mr..
Edward Murphy, OF New York, but the
little that 1t knows inciines IT TO the
opinion that he falls very far short OF
being the proper man TO represent the
great State OF New York In the Senate
Of the United States. But that is an af-
fair of the people of New York. II is
for them. uninnuenced by outsiders, to
send TO the Senate whatever person is.
in their opinion. suitable to represent
them, and. II Mr.. Murphy is the repre-
sentative man OF New York and New
Workers want Murphy for their representa-
tive. then let Murphy be New York's
representative.
If Mr.. Cieveiand's declared opposition
to the election Of Mr.. Murphy to the
Senate were simply and no more than a
declaration OF the preference OF Cleve-
land. citizen OF New York. in the matter
of who shall be Senator from New York.
The Times would not have a word OF
disapproval TO utter. Citizen Cleveland.
as Citizen Cleveland. has as much right
TO his opinions and has as much right to
utter them as any other citizen. But no
candid mind can ignore the facts that Mr..
Cleveland is Presidcnt-elect Of the United
States, to be insta led In office at the end
OF the next two months; that as such he
has the disposal OF an immense govern
mental patronage in the State Of New
York; that the Senator IS 10 be chosen by
the members OF the New York Legisla-
ture. all of whom are In public life with
their futures more or less inseparably
connected with the policy Of the head Of
the United States Government. Citizen Of
New York or not citizen of New York.
the member OF the New York Legislature
who now favors the election of Mr.. Muir
ply does 1t under an apprehension which
no human mind can avoid. that he thereby
puts himself outside the pale OF the
~friendliness Of the President of the United
States. If that member has been hereto
fore favorable to the choice of Mr.. Muir
ply and he hereafter becomes opposed to
Il, ne is no longer acting as a free agent.
but is casting his vote as the President
of the United States wills that it shall
be east. This would be an end Of repre-
sentative government.
The theory of our Government is that
1t shall consist Of three departments.
the Executive, the Legislative and the
Judicial, each wholly and entirely indie
pendent of either of the others. 1t IS not
to be tolerated tina the head Of the Ex-
ecutive Department shal interfere In any
way whatever In the selection of the
members Of the Legislative. For. II 1t
were, welding the enormous power and
influence that he does, his interference
with that choice could be made TO count
most effectively. and we might come to
have a legislature virtually appointed by
the Executive, which sat to make such
laws for us as the Executive had pre-
viously resolved on. If such power and
discretion could be trusted TO any one
we would deposit them I'm the hands OF
MIR. Cleveland rather than In those OF
any other living citizen. But The Times
will never consent that they shall be
trusted anywhere. The Times stands
super antiques Was" and upon the gran
lite bed rock OF our Constitution. which
confines each department of our Govern
ment to its own sphere.
We have not the slightest doubt that
what Mr.. Cleveland has done in this
matter has been inspired by emotions OF
the most patriotic character. Ills Whole
mind is absorbed with a desire TO see the
inequalities and injustice Of our national
legislation corrected. and he naturally
thinks the surest means for securing
these corrections IL for the people to
send to the national legislature men in
sympathy with the move 10 correct, who
are capable OF dealing with that move and
the opposition 1t will receive. His i'm
pulse is most laudable and patriotic.
but the deep interest he feels in the sub
'ject will not justify the President OF the
United States in moving a hairs breadth
from a position of absolute neutrality
and impartiality when the question in
hand is the choice Of a Representative Of
the people IN the National Legislature.
The lis Of existing legislation had better
be borne and endured than that the prin-
ciple shall be introduced hat the will Of
the President is 10 be spoken OF when a
Senator is TO be elected. We repeat that
we have no doubt whatever Mr.. Cleve-
lands motives were OF the highest and
most patriotic; but we nOne the less think
that he has made a blunder. Let him
confne himself to the duties Of the Presi-
dent of the United States, which his ex-
perience teaches him are enough for one
man. 1t is too much of an undertaking
for him TO attempt TO give the whole
show"
This is no question Of party or persons.
II is the question of preserving the in
tegrity Of our institutions, and we believe
Mr.. Cleveland. when he thinks It over
will be one of the first to admit that he
has overstepped the true line.
IODGE roR SENATOR,
II Is said 70 be a %foregone conclusion
that the legislature Of Massachusetts, viii
elect Henry Cabot Lodge to the United
Senate. We, down here. can sur
yive this unhappy event, but what Is to
be thought Of Massachusetts fateg
students, the opinion is some
times earnestly pressed that we really