New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-01
THE RHODE ISLAND OUTRAGE.

! 1t is of comparatively little consequence
whether Rhode Island is classed as Repub-
| lican State next year. 1t is Infinitely more
| important that the Republicans Of that state
| have shown themselves upright law-abidihg
| and honorable, have respected the decisions OF
the courts, which their opponents have dlsre-
garded and defed, and have in no way at
tempted to defeat the will of the people ex-
pressed at the last election. The part taken
by Republicans in the controversy will re-
dound to their credit and will help their party
and the principles they profess. The Demo-
Gratis of Rhode Island have placed themselves
on a level with the election swindlers IN Name
and Connecticut, NewIOrk and New-JerSey,
Ohio Indiana and dozen other States North
and South, where public opinion has been out
ragged. law defied, and the people robbed OF
their rights in order to grasp Offices for Dem
Ocrats.
1t sometimes seems as if this shameful dis
tinction between the two great parties OF this
country were no longer regarded by voters
Winning 10y the most infamous means In New
York. the Democratic party reJcices in sort
of popular support which it boasts cannot be
broken. Stealing Legislature and Senator
ship in Indiana, the same party hopes TO held
that long disputed State an indefinite time by
sheer force of fraud Yet its own experience
does not lack warnings. When it stole the
State government in Maine. the people soon
found a way t. retire it from all participation
in the government. by the votes OF honest
citizens. The shameful theft in New jersey
has already created revolt of Democrats III
that State, which threatens to turn the cleo
ton thieves out of all power. robbery of
the people succeeded in Ohio. but the Demo-
crafts have not been able II any election since
TO show their former strength. 30 1t has been
in other States where free suffrage still ex-
lists, and if in some Southern States the DEM
oclatic party yet holds power by means OF fraud
and crime there are indications that even there
robbery will not always prevail.
Evidently the signal triumph Of the Maynard
swinde in Ncw-Yok has encouraged the Dem
ociats of Rhode Island to attempt the over
throw of their State government by reyou-
tionary processes. For the steps described in
dispatches yesterday were so plainly in viola
ton of law that they must be considered revO-
lutorary. Honest readers of Democratic jour
nails cannot regard them with any other feeling
than one of disgust, if they see them charac-
tellZIng the latest DtInoCIdtC SNI1uIt III HhouV
Island as merely matter Of superior general
ship If the tone of public morals were 50
low and so debased as this, there would be
little hope for honest government
The expulsion from the House OF two Repnb-
lican members who were regularly elected, in
defiance of a decision Of the supreme Court i'll
the case of one, and in disregard Of common
honesty in both cases. had the open and flag
rant assistance Of the National Executive de-
partment. The Presidents especial friend and
former law partner, by refusing TO accept the
resignation OF a postmaster who had been
elected to the Legislature. for no other rea son
than because that refusal would give a pre-
text for dishonest act by the Democratic. ma
jolity in the House, was guilty OF a perform
ance for which, fortunately precedcn'> are
sought in vain in the record Of either party.
Proclaiming himself refoimer and lover of
good government, President Cleveland might
well make this test case, if he really intended
that the will Of the people should be respected
Il ,ho,n1