New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-01
is sccurc. however the disappointed place-sc'h'r'
may rave and threaten.
GUTERNOR FLOUEH.

T.
Governor Flower recently said mai he sl'o"i'
retire 10 private life with clear conSc'"''
We scarcely know whether or not To con-r"'"
latc him upon that fact. y clear CONSCIENCE -
Il comfortable possession. but perhaps ho' d"
altogether cnviabc one when lis cie3rhesS !"
indicative of Il lack Of scnslblllty III the ''"'
ernor's cnsc il seems 10 uS that prn'ehce 'h"
confession would he more becoming. ana III 'ile
long rim more to his advantage. The American
public Is exceedingly amiablc and forbearlng
,oo uuch so As n rule for It's own highest wei
fare. There is nowhere disposition. We ARE
sure 70 follow Mr. Flower into his retirement
with moro ccnsirc than hc really deserves. All
would prefer to err on the side OF charlt!. III
their general reckoning with Democracy III Inc
onnonted fine in November. the people CAV"
emphatic expression to their estimate OF MS al
ministraion. and that verdict VIII stand bu'
inst now they are occupied with cheerful an
ticipations rather than with dismal rcr'c'iohS
upon the past. and they will pa the rc''r'nS
Governor a good-naturcd farewell. as IS th'h
custom. We share the kindly and pcaccaplc
sentiments Of the season and hope that ne may
live long to enjoy all good gifts. INCLUDING inc
power to see and the grace to own his lAlil'S
No patriotic man carries parisanship So far rs
TO covet political advantage through me siiS
and failures Of public official Governor
Flower took office three years ago under cohoi.
lions which caused great dstrusi 81 his VIII ana
capacity 10 serve the whole state iaiilifuly' pu'
all good citizens hoped that he would completely
rcfutc the prevalent belief In his subservlehcy
70 the reckless leaders of his party who had
raised him To power for their own purposes
And So. though their disappointment was not
great. their regret was sincere when he began
assiduously To confirm the common impression.
The proof was not long delayed. During most
of his first year David H. Hi sat close al MS
elbow II was not Il case Of power behind me
throne" but. as we remarked at the time. ~
mower before the throne. executing It's designs
I'm the full sight Of everybody with an amazing
disregard Of dccancy Whatever was IN the
obvious interest " the Democratic machine. as
opposcd Ia the interest Of the people was done
with prompincss and precision. Al the earliest
momcnt. MAYNARD. who had obcycd the orders
of his and Flowers master. was rewarded with
n seat on the bench whose processes he had
enabled a more consummatc rascal 10 defy.
That initial degradation Of his great office set
the standard which Governor Flowers general
course Of conduct has mainiaiped throughout
uniformly been N the service of the bosses who.
having created fraudulent Legislature, used
their creature rrmorsclc>Sly for the betrayal Of
the common honor AMI welfare and who ever
since with less power for evil. have been equal
~ Jealous in avcrtinc good. This i the Just ana
decisive condemnation II Governor Flower that
he has steadily and faithfully co-oprra'cd with
the impcrious scodndrelS whom the people com
pretended AT last and overthrow.
In contrast with this essential rcachcry. some
excellent traits and some commcndablc acts
ought ~ he credited 10 Mr. Flower. We believe
that We have never failed To acknowledge
mcritorious exception to his general rule ~ mar
row and mischicvous pariiSanship. and II We
were aware of any such omission we should sun
PLY il here Al the time 81 The cholera irighl
We believe he was inspired 10y high motives II
not with perfect wisdom His services Ia pro
tectng the States forest domain have been DIS
Interested and pcrscycrng He has cndeavor'h
10 promote road reform His attention To the
multifarious details OF administration has been
constant and careful and where politics did not
conflict with duty his inhucncc and authority
have generally been exercised with prudence
and practical wisdom He has moved about
freely among the people unoihcially aforhlns
them such qualification * a chief Magistrate
can bcsiow only ut considerable expenditure
Of time and effort Ills personal Integrity and
the purity Of his life have never been under The
slightest suspicion. We have deemed II an i'm
pcrativc duty 10 condemn his political conduct
in general and in particular unSplrInsly through
ont his term. and 10 record iinal judgment ui
IT now. But there * no malice In this estimate
OF an administration which has been costly io
the state yet not without value as Il warning
10 The successors ~ Governor Flower and TO The
people II Ncwlork.