The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-16
The Responsibility Of the President


In a peculiar. exceptional, and. we may
say. unprecedented way, the political re-
lRtons which the Federal officeholders
bear 10 this years Democratic State ticket
nre worthy OF special notice Tho require
ment that they shall participate actively in
the interest of Democracy Is absolute.
Since Jan. I, 1885, DAVID b. HILL has
been the official and recognized leader Of the
democratic party in New York From jan
!. 1885. until Jan /, 1899, he was the
Democratic Governor OF the State. From
Jan. I, 1899, to March 4. 1899. he was a
Democratic Senator elect Since March 4,
1899. he has been the senior Democratic
Senator from the State of New York. Tn
der all recognized rules and presidents in
American politics, the candidate holding
this post would naturally be consulted by a
President Of the same party in regard to the
Federal appointments which it is part of
the Senate's duty to reject or confirm. II
the ordinary relations between the Demo
Gratis OF New York and the Democratic
President existed, the Federal officehoders
would, without any ones Intervention and
as matter Of course, be supporters OF the
Democratic State ticket in the Presidents
own State. Party fealty and duty would
impel them to support the ticket headed by
Senator HILL.
But Senator HILL has asked for no Fed
eral appointments from the present Admin
istration; he has accepted none. His coun-
sci has not been sought IL has not been
given. The CLEVELAND Administration.
through its own representatives, has, for
the most part, gone outside of the regular
Democratic organization OF the State for
Federal officeholders. These officers are,
therefore responsible for their action in this
campaign not TO the Democratic party or to
the Democratic organization, but to the
CLEVELAND Administration, which, at its
own instance, selected them. and whose
representatives they are. They owe no graft
tude to Senator HILL for their appointment
They are under no. obligations to him ex-
cept such as political principles may die
tate, and political principles do not always
speak vociferously to officeholders. But
they are under an obligation positive, ex-
plicit, and undeniable to shape their politi-
cal course by the authority and directions Of
the CLEVELAND Administration, which APP
pointed them. There is, in fact, no escape
from the conclusion that these Federal
officeholders must either unite in support Of
the valiant and sturdy leader who is max
ing splendid hut unequal fight against
serious II not overwhelming odds, or they
must, ly their failure to cooperate, leave
10 the Republican party clear field.
DAVID B HILL the unanimous and spon-
taneous choice OF the Democratic State Con-
vention, Is, at an onerous sacrifice, running
for Governor to save this State for the De
mOcracy, 10 prevent New York from being
absolutely Republicanized, and to hold il
In line for the principles Of the party which
triumphed in 1899, when II elected Mr.
CLEVELAND rs President Senator HILL,
for the reasons we have given, has no con
troll over the Federal officials who represent
the national Administration in the Post
Offices, Custom Houses, and Internal Reve-
nue. offices throughout the State. The leader
these officials recognize, and the only leader
they recognize, is the man to speak.
How long are the wires to remain down
between Washington aud the Democratic
State Committee in New York