New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-15
No REISON EOR STRPRISE.

No REASON IOE NtHfHfSF.
Great as has been the service rendered 10
political morality and good government by our
Democratic and Mugwump contemporaries III
exposing the transaction by which ME- Jaihes ''
Van Allen obtained ut the hands or fr'Siuehl
Cleveland the appointment Of Ambassador 10
italy in pavmcnt for $4,000 in cash subscribed
bv Mr.. Van Allen toward Mr.. Clcvcland's cleo
tion il is useless TO deny that the prevailing
feeling in the public mind over their mani
festations Of surprise and Indignation mas peeh
one of amusement 1t is To- their credit, TO be
sure that they have not attempted 10 cohceai
or defend transaction so dsgrace1ui 10 Their
own party and President, but have laid II pare
and denounced it, 1t goes far To attest the SIN
cerity OF the professions in which they were so
profusc before the election. and TO relieve them
Of all responsibility for the shameful bargain
and sale But they had really no occasion LOT
disappointment surprise. They had no rei-
son 10 expect anything different. Ihey knew
very we'll the practices Of tho party which $1,000
behind Mr. Cleveland: knew also that he knew
them; and that, however earnest ana sincere
he might be in desiring that they shoulh pe
abandoned and the party reformed, he couiu
not. as Josiah Quincy put 1t to tho Massachu-
sets Reform Club, overthrow an established
system without committing political suicide
What is more they knew from Mr.. Cleyelands
record in the closing months OF his last ADMIN
istration that when it came to the pinch, ana
the interests of the party seemed TO demand it,
he did not hesitate TO turn his back on REFORM
and rcformers.
The Democratic party in the last campaign, rs
I'm all previous ones. was ready and willinS I'D
promise anything to anybody for votes; trade
off ANYTHING it had or expected to have Tor inc
means OF success. II was all things 10 all men
If by any means it might get votes through
its numerous agencies and wide ramihcationS
il was able TO negotiate with men OF all shadeS
of opinion and the most conflicting views. ana
from all sources gather strength. It's campaign
managers had one supreme end In view, ana
that was success And when they found Them
se,vos in need of money they had no more
hesitation in putting up an office for sale thnn
they had in trading for votes with Reiorm'rS'
Anarchists. Free Coinage Men, Gold Rrss, fop-
ulsts. Socialists and all the ridran OF politics.
Not openly perhaps; they were too Ola III po'
litical management for that: but by ihdirec''o"
and tacit understanding; by the Wink 'h'''
AS good as a bid. Does any one faniiihr WIN
the history Of campaigns suppose that either
tho late Mr. Barnum. or Mr. German, or any
of the Democratic leaders who nave nan'
aged campaigns In late years, wonia nave
hts!tatNd q moment 10 give any ono VINO
offered TO subscribe $4,000 an assurance Oh
"oud pro quo " in the form or an ONCE! me
popularity OF This case seems 10 he mat MI
Van Allen had no political record; had not even
voted previous 10 1892; that he suddenly puieeu
into politics. paid his $4,000 in cash and SUD
seouently received his reward. We do not see
,bat this state Of facts makes any difference
~ IN tho merits or dement's of the transaction
I, yould he inst as disgraccful 10 sell IN oiice
70 q man who had always voted the ticket MS
10 one who had just dropped his hrst paiio'
II Mr. Willard. for instance, had received the
Berlin mission for his SooOVo or more con
tributon. II would have been Just ~ Dad
though. as has been suggested. 1t would mol
probablv have been strongly condemned IN
some quarters.
We are aware that some OF the gentlemen
who arc indignant AT this bargain and sale per
sisted in saving and believing before inc ciec-
ton that Mr.. cleveland was better Than MS
Marty. ard on that ground they urged people
Il
10 vote for him. And we conccdc also 'hat IL
was and is true He Is better than the average
of his party or party leaders. no doubt. Bu'
no * not enough better To be of any usc III
promoting reforms which overthrow established
systems and end. rs Mr.. Quincy says. in po-
Iltical suicide We repeat that the Democratic
and Mugwump newspapers which nav" been
airing the facts in this and so freely de
nouncing tho transaction are entitled 10 great
credit. but our admiration for their franEn"ss
and Independence is somewhat tempered ny
the consideration that ii Is mostly sputlcr: and
| that if the election were 10 be held next No
yembpr instead Of last. with all the details OF
This bargain and sale known 10 them. they
would all be found supporting Mr.. Cleveland
and the Democratic ticket with just rs much
enthusiasm as ever. This might rs well b"
understood If we are wrong in the assllinp-
ton we will checrfuy make The necessary
correction at the request Of any on" OF them.