New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-18
4 CATION.

one mark of n shrcwd and able man Is that
he knows when to take warning. The popular
phrase which describes the other kind OF man
rs one who does not know enough to go In
when it rains * even more true figuratlvely
than In its literal meaning. There are many
men who are active in political affairs TO whom
certain recent convictions Of criminals should
serve as Il most valuable hint. The audacious
Boss OF Gravcsend must have known that he
was violating the spirit and intent of the law
But he doubtless calculated that he was only
treading on the edges of crime without acti
ally making himself liable, and, while defeating
the intention e the law, so far avoiding
its letter that he could not be found guilty or
any statutory offence. There are other men,
higher in office and more powerful than Nc
Kane, who may proftably study his case
Legal chicancry has It's limitations. when
public opinion is not aroused regarding par
ticular kind Of abuse or wrong, men may go on
for years disrcgartllng the obvious intent and
meaning OF the law with impunity, because
they shelter themselves behind various tech
nicaliics OF construction. Growing holder by
practice in lawbrcaking, they come In time TO
consider that any INSCRIPTIONS trick or device
is enough 10 save them from the penalties OF
the law. while they ruthlcssly tread underfoot
It's manifest purpose. But ut length public opln-
ion wakes up - the insolent criminality OF
such conduct The people begin 10 realize That
neither their laws nor their rights OF selfgov-
eminent will be worth anything II fimsy pre-
texts are allowed 10 excuse deliberate defeat
of the meaning and intent OF statutes. Then
there arises n tornado OF Indignation which
sweeps away paltry excuses and pcttifogglng
tricks. and compcls n rigid enforcement Of the
law accounting 10 the intention OF those who
made II. Then OF a sudden IL Is found that hun
trcls or thousands Of men, who have been de-
fcatng the purpose while pretending to observe
the letter Of the law, are in danger Of the peni-
Tertiary.
There arc thousands Of men In this State who
hay" been violating law not less truly than
Mckanc or the convicted Tammany inspectors.
When Maynard was rewarded for such an Of
fence 10y place on the bench, when Shcehan
was selected because Of his aptncss in defeat
Ing law To preside over body OF lawmakers.
IL seemed 10 these thousands that they were
absolutely secure But there has come n change.
The ma jcsty Of the law Is indicated. and Its
plain purpose brands rs criminals the men who
have been defeating IT, These men and the
thousands Of less conspicuous offenders In this
State and the other thousands In Ncw,Jcrscy,
who have been engaged i'll defeating the laws
and the vcrdicts OF the people. have especial
reason TO take warning. Even Governor Werts
himself and the Senators who have been per
sstcnty dcfying the authority conferred upon
a majority Of The Senate and the House OF
Representatives by great majority OF The pco
pie, have reason 10 consider well whether they
also are not exposing themselves 10 punishment
~ lawbrcakcrs. There will surely come time
when thin DISCUSSES and pcttfoggng tricks will
be OF no avail TO those who have set themselves
10 defeat the manifest intention OF the law
II these men are wise. they will not wait until
the storm comes before seeking such shelter as
they can find by undong the evil they have
done.