New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-06
CONTESTED SEATS At 1LB1Nf.

Some Democratic newspapers are trying 10
GOT excited over the inquiry which II legislative
committee has begun rs 10 the titles of certain
norsons to seats in the Assembly. The indig-
nation which they are cn1eavorng To feel Is ho'
only considerably stronger than that which they
expressed two years ago. when their hohoreu
leaders actually stole the control of the Legs
lature. but considerably stronger than there j.
any occasion for If they would kindly consent
TO he calm a little longer. they would see that
thc Republcan majority at Albany has no idea
Of initiating the Democratic example IL Is
ouiIe true that some Republicans who were
candidates for the Legislature last fall believe
that their opponents We're not fairly elec'eu
and that a committee is giving them chance
IN nroduce their evidence. When allegations
If This sort appcar on their face TO have some
substantial foundation. il is the duty OF inc
majority I'm the legislative body whose compost
tion may he affected thereby 10 give them
hearing So much at least the contestant mas
n right TO demand, and so much ut least inc
incumbent If he is an honest man, will cheer
fuI,v concede Moreover. the constituents on
each. If they are fit TO be represented in free
Governments want the issue justly settled, as
do all The people whose welfare may depend
i'm q preater or less degree upon Il single law
maker. 1t would be an abuse of power 10 pre-
indigo such claims and yet that seems To De
the course which some of our Democratic con-
temporaries would like to see adopted, not
realizing perhaps the real nature ana extent
of the wrong they recommend.
To all such. whether they are hypocritical or
merely tjmoro,ls and hysterica We take pleas
IRE i'm saving that there is no scheme afoot
among Republicans ut Albany or elsewhere 10
manufacture a two-thrds majority in the Legis-
lature. or even to grab a single seat. If ample
proof is forthcoming that one or more Demo
Gratis whose names have been put on Tie Foil
were not elected. we hope that those VINO are
required by the Constitution Of the state 10 he
| eide in such cases will have the moral courage
! to turn them out. But there must he no snap
Judgment, no partisan prejudice. The evidence
must be conclusive. If in any case there Is Il
doubt, the man who holds The certificate must
have the benefit Of II. II the investigation Is
not conducted and the Judgment rendered III
this spirit and on these principles. the wh"e
proceeding will be- contemplate and the result
disastrous.
Rut there is not the slightest reason TO "X'
pect any other sort of inquiry and drcisl"n
The strongest Republican parlisans would i""h
I'm vain for an excuse or even for an induce
mcnt. to act trcacilcrously In this matter Iii'
people have given clear instructions 10 the ma
iority at Albany this winter The Kcpnbiicah>
! have 10 business to pass II singl" Dill which III
! honest Democratic Governor Will not sign. ii
| Governor Flower vctocS any measure WHICH
ought To become Il law the people viii take
care Of him. When the ma iority has voted rlgh'
on any question lis responsibility will ceas"
There is not member of either house who l.
in doubt as to what the people want now ano
mean 10 have in the near future. II II shall be
established by ncontrovcrtiblc proofs That th'
number of Republicans now seated III the Legs
lature Is less than the number lawfully elected
by the voters. the duty of the majority VIII be
| obvious But the desire 10 do cXac; justice l.
the only conceivable motive for wishing 10 III
crease that number The obligation would no
be different nor the opportunity to win publ'
approval greater If it were twice rs large