New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-26
4 NJTTER or HONOR.

Justice Cavnor's withdrawal from the canvass
as n candidate for Governor. While not c"hsi"-
cred final by desperate political managers WIN
desire 70 make use Of his honorable reputation
is apparently rrevocable. He has not been III
euenccd bv the wanton invasion OF his private
life for which the partsans of rival candidates
Of his own party are solely responsible, although
no has been warned by these diScreditaDle tac-
tics that the immunity from such assaults which
he enioved last year. when he was nominated
for tho bench. might not continue II he were TO
enter the broader field Of State politics. The
roo, cround for his determination TO decline the
nomination for Governor is jealous regard for
his personal honor, which Is OF greater ililpoF-
lance 10 him than it IS 10 ordinary poi'lcahS'
His refusal is unintclligible 10 the ward lead
ers and political FOUNDERS now staggering about
the Saratoga hotels. Their obtusciess Is natural
They lac, his scnsitiveness ~ matters relating
to conscience and honor.
This point Of honor is very plain one. JUS
tice Gaynor was nominated last year by R'-
publican convention for the supreme b'hch
against Mr.. PcarSall. an incompetent lawyer
and servile politician. Who had been Drought
forward by the Mclaughlin Ring in strong
Democratic district. Justice Gaynor accepted
this nomination, and the Republicans elected
him with the support of Independents ana good
Democrats His election was one Of the best
results of "A reform canvass against Ring-and-
Gang politics Having accepted Il nomination
made bv his opponents in good faith. he Is under
moral obligations 10 remain on the bench. III
h,. were now t. accept Il domination for Gov
ernor at the hands Of the political leaders
Ia, La. hon VlppI relentless warfare,
he would be- compelled 10 resign his seat on the
hench and 10 max, room for Mr. Pcarsal or
some other creature Of Mclaughlin. Such action
ON the part of Justice GaynOr would be hiShE
d-honorablc /, would involve betrayal of
the confidence imposed in him year ago by All
fine good citizens Of the judicial district.
Justice Gaynor unfortunately, does not ph'
thc matter as clearly in his dispatch 10 Mr..
Towns rs We have done but 1t Is evident from
his reference 10 the peculiar circumstances OF
his election 10 the bench that this IL tue colslh-
Grafton which impcls him 10 refuse To be- Il can
didatc Il cannot again" he says. $50 soon APP
peal 10 the splendid individual Integrity ana
Intelligence which stood behind the ballots cast
for me- last fall" That Is 10 say. h. cannot
honorably break faith with III" great army III
good citizens who fought the battle of reform
n wear ago under his leadership. An ordinary
political trickster might play fast ana loo>" with
his public obligations. and take anything To DE
had from one party this year without rcf"renc"
70 an office which he had prryiousl; accepted
from the other side a. Il public trust. Bn'
Justice Gnynor is not willing To b"tray pubh'
confidence in his high minded integrity. nor to
compromise with his conscience" nor 10 Siuly his
personal honor or course. the "shouirrS ana
workers" now busting about III" convention
hall do not understand him. but Justice Gaynor
knows that he cannot honoraby take the noini-
nation and In III" vigorous dispatch which n"
sent ia Saratoga last night rclerating MS lie
termination not 10 do 50 liz makes his intrii-
lions and his position perfectly clear