New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-10
Tile P4TTEESON dPPOINTNENT

II Is pcrhaps unnecessary 10 say That the ap
pointment of Jacob Patterson rs Quarantine
Commissioner by Governor Morton is not such
q one rs The Tribune would have made or recon-
mcndcd II lacks several points of being an ideal
so,oction. But il furnishes us the opportunity
for saving that in this whole matter of appoint
mnnts bv Governor Morton or Mayor Strong or
any of the heads of subordinate departments in
the State or the city, The 1ribun" not only docs
nor ASPIRE 10 dictate. but carefully rcfrains from
recommending or indorsing applicants for place
I, undertakes 10 represent the views and wishes
of the Republican party in lis entirety ana NOT
the aspirations or ambitions Of any individual or
foctiou. Both Governor Morton and Mayor
Strong have made appointments which, in the
Judgment of The Tribune, and, as we believe OF
4 majority Of Republicans, were not III" best that
might have been made even In the hmlt'd h'lh
of selection But both of them were elected De-
cause the party had confidence not only III their
integrity and ability. but in their poll'icai 81
gacity: in other words in their shrcWdhcSS anu
good Judgment as practical politicians Ana 'hiS
last includes the tact and talent for leadership
which arc absolutely necessary in the men whom
n great party select. we'll 10 make their organ
izotion strong AMI perpetual rs 10 carry out lis
PRINCIPLES and enforce its policy. Neither "f
them has done anything 10 forfeit. that conn
dcncc. though both have provoked criticism Ana
Il may be added that both endure criticism with
such philosophy and cquanimty ~ serve to turn
It's edge.
Astothis appointmcnt Of Mr. Patterson, 1t may
he said that the office Of Quarantine commits
sioncr is not in itself Of momcntous or even s"ri'
o,s importance in State or local administration
II has but little relation. and that iitl" remote
and Indirect with the matters If municipal con
Germ which affect political conditions or relate
In any way 10 the physical or moral w'liAr" 81
citizens Mr. Patterson. however inefficient or
unfit he may bo-and We do not 10y any means
say that he Is cithcr-ca do no great harm IN
the exercise Of tn" functions to which he has
been aI4ointoi. His patron, Mr.. Thomas {.
Plat held IL for several years with much greater
tcuacity than he did the office ~ ni'rd states
Senator: The chief scandal connected with ms pro
long,d tenure. So far aS has been proved. being
the circumstance That by a judicial decision h'
,yas found 10 have held il Illegally ly III" fact 81
his non-rcsidcncc In this city l;ut his occupancy
Of thc Office occasioncd no unusual distress. Nor
do We apprchcnd any serious results from ne
ouno,nt,ucnt ~ Mr.. Patterson. That gentleman
does not bring 10 the position Oh" National Tame
of his patron and only in suhorlnAi" degree
the laticr's familiarity with large public affairs
But neither j. absolutely necessary 10 4 proper
and faithful discharge Of the dulles II The Office
The Significance Of the appointment in III"
u,Ihlic mind lies In the fact that Mr.. Patterson
T. generally understood To- be- 50 close 10 Mr. l'latt
as f. be- practically i part 81 him. inns com
muuIty. which has been somewhat Sobcrcd "i liir
hy . realization Of the fact that 1t cannot nave
the laws II wants and voted for. ana when
N,vor Sirou., and Governor Morton and on"
branch Of the legislature have requested ana
ureo1 because Mr. Plat controls one branch 81
the Legislature and will not grant them their
wish-Sccs in this appointment only desire on
the Governors part to placatc and concliatc Mr.
Platt In that view Of it, il seems +" us 10 be i
mistake With all respect for Governor Morton'S
motives we feel sure that a majority OF In"
Ronublcans Of this town would rather worry
along for another year with an iniq'litouS ponce
svs,cm and disgraccful Police Bench than sub
NIT 70 the shame and diShonor of making dckor
for tbcIr dclivcrancc with an irresponsible Boss,
whose audacity and arrogance have become III
sun,ortoblc. They believe that much greater
mischief to the Republican party ana IN" 'a'is"
of honest government would follow any rccogni-
ton of the asserted mastery OF TINS man over the
party than could possibly result from the con
tlnuancc for another year ~ the laws uihier
which existing abuses have grown ana thriV'd.
They are willing rather 10 bear the Ills th'y nave
than take the chances Of greater by bartcrlng OF
with a new Boss the results OF their victory over
the old
We recognize in Governor Morton aS In Mayor
Strong a sincere desire 10 carry out the VIII or
the people. and AT the sam" time harnohiZ'
and strengthen the Republican party Ana Inc
Tribune has no desire 10 dictate the appoint
mcnts or edit the administration of either. Bu,
it believes it speaks for the Republican party
in its entirety when II criticisos the effort, or
apparent effort, to harmonic the party on the
basis of division of patronage with discr4iit-
cd Boss, as short lighted and unwisc.