New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-19
SHEEHAN AND THE FEDERAL OFFICES

SHEEHAN AND THE FEDERAL OFFICES
The jealous controversy between the leaders
of the Democratic factions in this State over
tho distribution of Federal patronage has
hitherto excited only languid interest among
the people 1t has been a conflict of politicians
for supremacy and in such selfish strife few
CT those who in campaigns and at elections are
arayed under the different party banners de-
sire to take any part or care particularly which
faction succeeds in capturing the larger share
of spos. The great majority of citizens are
busiy attending to their own affairs and DO
not concern themselves with the parcelling cut
of Offices, further than to hope that the public
business will be honestly and efficiently con-
ducted whoever draw the prizes.
The latest performance of Lieutenant-Go
ernor Sheehan, however, brings new consid-
Grafton to the front BY a scheme which was
made successful through the aid OF treachcly
and lies, Sheehan has procured the enactment
of law to give himself control of the Police
Department Of the city government of Buffalo,
thus defrauding and depressing the people Of
that city, who had already placed the control
where they wanted it to be. In the Legs
lature. which was thus made the agent of
swindle; in Buffalo, whose citizens are the
victims, and in the respectable newspapers OF
both parties SheehanS manccuvre has been
clearly described and justly denounced as an
atrocious outrage. The baseneSs Of Sheehan
character and methods was thoroughly appre-
GATED by many persons before, but until now
he has never made 50 complete and conspicuous
q revelation of himself No honest citizen of
any party can longer remain in state OF DOUBT
or Indifference as to the moral rottenneSS OF inc
Lieutenant Governor of the state OF New
York lie has taken pains to prove himself
perfidious rascal in the eyes of all the people
lie has cheated both adherentS and antagonists
in the Legislature he has cheated the city OF
Buffalo: he has cheated the whole Common
wealth. And he has done this unbushingIy,
deliberately. cheerfully.
The condition of the popular mind there
fore. with reference to the distribution of Fed
eral patronage ought from this time forth TO
he widely different from what it has been
hitherto Until now, perhaps, the people have
been justified in paying little attention TO this
matter. Hereafter they ought to feel pro-
found interest in having every choice OF Shee-
hans for Federal Office rejected They do
not want and cannot afford to have their public
affairs administered by men who owe their
appointments to such person. lnasmuch as
Sheehap compels his creatures to serve him with
lies and swinding the public has right to
insist that his creatures shall not be multiplied.
1t is the Presidents duty to hold that recon-
mendaton by Sheehan is conclusive reason
for appointing an applicant whom Shechan
could not be induced to recommend. The
,,oonlo oo,o comma ive1y LITTLE whether or not
Mr.. Cleveland builds up powerful personal
machine in this State; but he is amply war
ranted in assuming that they care great deal
whether places in the public service are filled
by honest men or by men who will lie and
cheat at the command OF the Lieutenant-Gov-
ernOr of New-YOrk.