New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-30
can always find in its organizations, as among
its voters. sure, steadfast and successful sup


me y ~ .issE-' ~ ann
With the first outburst of coarse abuse which
followed the nomination of Mr.. Van Allen to
the Italian mission THE TRIBUNE had no SYM
pathy whatsoever. lie j. a man OF education
and good standing and while we should not
have thought OF him a. likely to receive an
appointment to Il high Office. he does possess
certain distinct qualifications for the place for
which he was named Moreover. we do not
deem it necessary TO suppose that Mr. Van Allen
intended TO do anything wrong in connection
with his appointment. In hi, entire unfamiliar
ty with political affairs, he very likely sup
posed that the transaction in which he engaged
was a common one For this very reason.
perhaps, it is peculiarly striking example OF
the generalization which Democratic leaders
have produced and inculcated in the conduct
of their partys affairs.
But when full weight has been allowed to
these considerations, and although the entire
and true facts concerning the appointment OF
Mr.. Van Allen to be Ambassador to Italy are
evidently not yet revealed the confessed facts
are enough to satisfy all self-respectlng men
that the President ought to with
draw the nomination Immediately. whether,
as was reported last night, the nominee has
asked him to do so or not; and
that if he negects to do this, it shonld
be rejected by the Senate. 1t is conceded that
Mr.. Van Allen contributed the sum Of $4,000
toward the election of Mr.. Cleveland last year.
The extraordinary size of this campaign con
tribution, from a man who had never shown
any activity in political contests or been
known to feel any interest IN them,
will at once impress men OF experience
a. Of itself strong evidence that Mr.. Van
Allen expected some further return for it than
the mere maintenance of abstract principles OF
political economy. Political parties, as cam
paigns are now conducted, are, undoubtedly
compelled to rely principally upon private sub
scriptions for the means to conduct their cam
paigns. but it is not in human experience that
private citizens put such large sum aS
$4,000. of itself considerable fortune. into
a campaign treasury without understanding.
and without having reason to understand. that
they are t. receive a peculiar and personal
return for IT,
This understanding is denied in the case of
Mr.. Van Allen. The denial is made b. himself
and ex-Sccrctary Whitney. to whom the money
was given. But it is entirely fair To remark
that if the denial is made and is TO he ac-
ccpred without reservation, he il strangely
ready to part with his money. and he is an
example OF public-spritcd citizen 50 rare rs
TO lie mnsccountabla. IL j. admitted. however.
that he has had no experience in public al
fairs. Ii is admitted too that he was not
nominated on account Of any supposed fitness.
II is admitted that his gift Of money 10 the
Democratic campaign fund constitutes the only
reason fer the Presidents gift 10 him Of
great and honorable public Office. This j.
reason enough for the reject y Of his nom
nation. and if the President doc, not with
draw it at once il ought to he rejected by such
a vote Of the Senate as will make II clear Il
the public mind that mat body can always bc
relied upon t. prevent the sale Of the peoples
offices for money.
Mr. Cleveland is plainly involved in scan-
dalous transactions There is unimpcachable
evidence that he knew Of the Van Allen sub
scripiions Not only was he tod OF them by
his friends Horace White and H. w Glider
but the information was conveyed 10 him n
long ago q, la-t June in a lciter from VIZ.
Whitney, wherein the cX-Socrctary Pleaded
that the gift Of money should Mt dcbar
Van Alien from the office 10 which be
aspred Mr. Cleveland knew that there was
nothing in Mr.. Van Aliens career sufficient 10
Justify his appointment, and on the confessed
state Of facts he knew that behind the appli
cation there was nothing whatever but a BIG
sum Of money given t. secure his own election
10 the Presidency. The appointment di,crdrtS
him and llfront, the American people If he
is the man OF high moral courage which his
dcvotrcs 50 constantly claim, he will confess
his fault by the frank withdrawal OF Tho nom
nation. In any event. the circumstances that
surround the case arc sucn 10 demand H.
rigid investigation by the Senate 10 discover
any other than the confessed facts. II we
have reached the point in our civilization where
it is too high political morality 10 urge the
punishment Of men who trade public Office, for
campaign funds, We have reached a danger
point and arc in need of such practice and in
structon as will revise our views