New-York tribune., 1894-04-15
THE MTNICIP1L INTESTIGA 7ION.


The brief and Improbable sessions of the Sen
ate Investigating Committee on FRIDAY ana
Saturday were productive Of some unnecessary
excitement and some regrettable complications
The excitement, however has not lasted long,
and we no reason to suppose 'hat the coih
plications will have serious consequences. Ger
tainly the public will be JUSTIFIED IN hoidihg
all concerned guilty Of gross breach OF 1allh
and duty if they permit any personal ampiuoh
or factional interest to hamper an lnvesuSa-
tion which is absolutely essential to the pubic
welfare, and which has already served an I'M
portant purpose.
We find no pleasure in criticsing anybody en-
gagged in a grave and difficult task, but 1t IS
proper and may be useful to say few PLAIN
but amiable words about the occurrences which
led up to pOstponement OF the investigation
until after the adjournment of the Legislature
The postponement in itself is not to be especial
ly regretted for the session is nearly at an ehu'
and it is desirable that every RepuDlicah Seh'
ator should be constantly in his place until the
close; but some of the preceding incidents were'
to say the least, unfortunate. In the nrst place.
we think that Mr. Sutherland was unnecessarily
disturbed by irresponsible imputatlons OF lhsih-
ceritv which the committee explicitly disavowed
and repudiated, and TO which nobody VINO WAS
not governed by some unworthy motive would
have paid the slightest attention 1t was his
take 10 dignity such chatter by m elaborate
rcfutation, and TO make 1t the chier argument
for an adjournment which might have been
reasonably taken on other grounds. MI Suther-
land has served the committee faithruily' anu
I'm the main with commcndaDle skill ana sa-
racity. His reputation was not In danger from
petty and apparently malicious gossip.
In the second place Mr.. Goh did not serve
the committee or anybody else, not even hlnl-
self. by his sudden intrusion upon the scene IN
the attitude of n parsonage whose superior 'ai-
| euts were being wasted. Mr. GoT has taken
| himself a little too seriously from the OUTSET
and the obligations which he was anxious 10
| incur not quite seriously enough. Ills cohhec-
tion with the affair began with his attempt TO
| impose upon the Senate COMMITTEE cohui'ioh'
which no legislative committee having Just
sense of its duty and responsibility could pos
siblv accept NJ. Goff possesses certain speclai
qualifications for the work with which ne mas
been intrustcd. and if he Is prepared 10 employ
! all his resources Of experience ana ehere! anu
skill we shall confidently expect excellent re-
! suits from his cooperation lie Is amoiIouS
| and with that we find no fault. but he will do
| well 10 bear constantly III Ili"i INV I"N' "'"' ~
pcoplc Of New-York are primarily Interested IN
| The investigation not in Mr.. Goif, and that II
is matter Of very slight concern to them
whether his fortunes and those OF Mr.. Nlhahl
II. Grace are incidentally promoted.
In the third place, the committee. which mao
onparcntly recovered completely from It's orgl
nal misconceplion Of its functions. suffered
Temporary relapse and surrendered control o'
the situation long enough TO permit some mis-
| chief-not much, we hope-to be done 1T j.
| thc duty of the committee TO prevent mlS'ind'r
| standings on the part Of counsel, II p"SSlp'"
| but in any case to give them no opportunity II
create erroneous and injurious impressions ny
n public exhibition Of their grievances II Is 1t
! he cxpected that a sense Of professional pro
| nrjeiy will restrain them from similar demon
strations Of "A more private character. But We
orc very glad TO learn that the various disagree
ments which embarrassed the investigation oi
Friday and Saturday have been adjusted ahc
that prcparations will now go forward har
moniously for the work which remains TO ID
done after the adjournment Of the Legislature
| That work in all It's branches is an ihdls
| ncnsablc necessity, and the people Will not toi
crate for n moment any trihing with II. They
imperativcly demand that the colossal rapric o
tyranny and corruption which Tainmany hai
mas built up in this city shall be ransacked IRON
TON Ia bottom