New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-20
pOprL1R GOVERNMENT IN BUFFALO.

The acouittal of Duggan, the Buifalo IN
snector of elections indicted for falSifylng ali
election return. has produced widespread
feeling of Indignation in that great ana grow
inc city. The intelligent men OF BETH paf'ieS
who read the evidence as it was presented from
day TO day during the trial OF DugGah were
convinced Of his guilt. Hence they character
izc the verdict which was rendered As grave
m;scarriape of Justice The worst feature or
tbe case is that notwithstanding the fact that
Duegan was generally conceded to have richly
earned State prison, the impression was ]hSt
as widespread that he was going to get OH
This is what Sherman :. Rogers, one OF the
foremost citizens of Buffalo, says on this point
81 have talked with many citizens as the trial
has gone on and since the verdict. and have
vct TO find a man who entertained doubt OF
Duggans guilt And yet, perhaps, a alarming
rs the verdict itself is the fact that through
the entire trial | have not found a man who
believed that Duggan would be convictcd'
IL is submitted that this dscloScS the exist
cnce of state Of things in Buffalo which may
VOL be characterized rs frightful. Is public
spirit dead in that city? Is it possible that
the mass of Buffalo people are Ignorant OF
their inaIicnablc fights or. knowing them, arc
too weak or too cowardy or too deeply en-
crossed in money making to maintain them
in their integrity? One hears a good deal
about "thc Buffalo boom" 1t is evident that
the controlling spirit CT the city is spirit OF
.hrcwd and trclcss enterprise that her lead
ing merchants and manufacturers are full OF
energy and determined to make the most OF
their large opportunities. Nevertheless man
who was indicted as a deadly enemy OF Buffa-
los prosperity, and regarded by tho nnprejn-
diced intelligence Of the city rs guilty OF the
offence charged. escapes without a hair Of hl'
head being intcrfercd with And why? What
is the explanation Well all Buffalo are say
ing with practically nobody t, contradict them.
it was "politics' that saved Duggan; that
Lieutenant Governor Shechall and Congress
man Lockwood thought il was good "p,ltics'
10 rush 10 the defence of this brother Demo
crat of theirs "Of course says Mr.. Rogers
in the course of his comments upon the verdict,
Mr. Shcchan and Mr. Lockwood made the
case a roIiti al one. They deliberately put the
Democratic party as represented by them into
the attitude of saying, We will defend our
criminals
Ill fa,c, The land "wEcrc wealth acclmuates
and men decay Wealth is rapidly accu-
initiating IN Buffalo What about its men?
DO they really care more for politics of the
most sordd and profiigate sort than for honest
government Of the people? With all their
>hrcwdncss are they - short sighted as not %
be aware that when a rascal who has conspred
against the Buffalo bao-bOx is suffered TO
go unwbpped Of justice their town has suffered
serious setback? Indictments have been
found against a number of Duggan's fellow
inspectors Of elections, and il is given ont that
Notwithstanding his acquttal they are t. DO
promptly tried. Honest men the state over
will hope that this report j. true and that in
the trial Of the other cases "pOtic>' will be
di>rcgaIdcd and the claims Of outraged justice
will be yindcated. Bunal, is rich enough u
afford good many costly things But she is
not nor will she ever be- rich enough to afford
to be known as a city of refuge for politicians
who find their account in bringing TO naught
the will of the people Is expressed at the
ballot box.