New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-25
no HUUBCG INVESTIGAIION.

After many days OF negotiation u'o"o WV
selves, the three Democratic partlsan> appo'h.
cd by Secretary Carlisle to conduct an Ih.esu-
cation into the administration OF inc new
Yo,l, Custom House have managed TO get TO-
pether and organize. No one seems 10 KNOW
precsely what these Democratic "1hVes''sa'o'S
are after. though the careful exclusion ol
representative of the Republican party from
the committee furnishes suggestive colhn'c" .
tary on their general purpose Inc enec' VI
This commentary is heightened by the f''iI'ois'
doned bv one member of the committee ON!
to no given out again by another, that there
,ra 70 he "secret SESSIONS" and that the III
yestigaton will be open only 50 Iar a. =
compatible with the public interests. Int
committee acts under the authority OF oecre-
tarv Carlisle. Since Mr.. CarllSleS appearance
,s an executive officer of the Government he
has developed the quality OF secrelivenesS III
= curious degree. lie has not admitted Inc
nublic TO a knowledge of what he thinks 'here
is about Republican direction OF the custom
IIouse to call for an investigation, nor mas ne
Indicated why he selected three Democrats
conspicuous for nothing but for their factiohai-
ism and parisanship, to make it. Their pc
culiar methods of procedure, however Justify
the suggestion that if this is a scheme 10 Ill
the ears of the Government with the sc'hua'o"'
tales of people with grudgcS and sore Spots
and if such persons are to be permitted 10 pour
in upon these Investigators whatever 'helr az
legged grievances may suggest. ana II theIr pach
stairs gossip is to be accepted as evidence
aoains, Republican officials. subjected to no
nrocess of examination by those who may be
accused and finally presented at Washington
as proof and condemnation, III geherai coh-
spracy to GUST Republican agents. inspectors
and clerks. it would be better TO abandon inc
undertaking without delay.
And in view of the uncertainty that seems
IN ovist in the minds of these Democratic par
t;s,n investigations as 10 whether their pro
ccedngs are TO be conducted openly or behind
closed doors, il is proper t. Say that IL - lar
IS their iEve>, igat0n is not al all 'iIi'N anu
in every respect open and above board. II Is 10
ay the best of it, suspicious ana offensive
Mr.. Fairchild. who is chairman OF the com
mttee. SAYS now that it will he open. But IT
was he who said day or two ago that 1t would
ha omen oulv 50 far as might be " compatible
with the public interests" Mr. Farchld VIII
see the point of the remark that there i 10
pubc interest with which honorable meth
ODDS and straightforward procedure are not
"compatihle." We are long way past the
ace when an unofficial and irresponsible Junia
of paitisans could 60 TO work in star chamber
10 blacken mems regulations. and call 1t b'isl-
ness done in The public interest. Republicans
are firm believers in Investigations. 1hcy
wanted an investigation il will be remembered.
few weeks ago into the character and con
duct of United states Senator whom Inc
official records of Mr.. CarlislcS own depart
merit declare + be an cmbczzler Rcpnbrans
thought that there was fine opportunity for
an investigations but the dcflultng senator
haupenel to be a Democrat, and it was found
TO be wholly impossible 10 induce the Demo
cratic majority of the Senate to consent to an
Investigation. This incident illustrates one
difference between the Republican and the
Democratic party.
Now if there i, anything to investigate AT
the Custom House, we want this committee
palt:san and irresponsible as it is, to 60 night
ahead and investigate it. But they must do
their work openly, fairly, fully, honestly. They
must not trihe with the coed name OF men who
value their reputation as highly as any mem
Der of the committee values his They must
not try to play hypocrtical prankS in fractional
or partisan interest They must not attempt
to make catch-penny phrases about the public
interest "A shield for any cowardy work. II
they try to do that they will surely get into
trouble.