New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-31
GOTERNOR MORYON-AS CANDIDATE.

Reports are again rife at Albany that Gov
ernor Morton is seriously considering the ques-
ton whether he should not by some indirect but
authoritative announcement put himself before
the country as consuming if not eager, can
didate for the Republican nomination for Pres
ident Of the United States. When a report of
similar character found currency some weeks
ago The Tribune took occasion to discredt it on
the ground that Governor Morton was too OLD
and experienced politician to adopt so ques-
tionable mched' Of procedure, the effect OF
which would clearly be to put him at a disadvan-
tage with competitors who have observed what
has been universally conceded to be wise and
discreet reticence. There are not many men In
this country, nor ever have been, who could
afford TO put themselves in the attitude of seek
ers for the Presidency or a Presidential nomina-
ton. However ambitious men may have been
for that great distinction. and however notori-
Gus the fact of their ambition, they seem to have
been deferred by certain sense OF proprie'y.
and of Difference 10 what may be called the re-
gard for appearances. from any open or pubic
manifestation Of their desires or hopes In THAI
direction. 1t may be fiction that the Presl-
dcncy is too high an office TO be openly sought
after and that il seeks the man instead Of being
reached in II scramble: but if fiction. it Is one
of those pleasing decisions in which the people
delight. and which consequently have to be
reclloned with by politicians Of ordinary shrewd-
ness Hence it happens that Presidential can
djdates who are seriously considered permit
their friends to do the pushing. and diligently
refrain from ayowing their candidacy them
selves. Several cases in point will occur nj once
to the mind of any one who observes current
political movements with reasonable intclli-
gcncc.
We are not unaware. Of course thar Governor
Mortons relation TO the existing political situa-
ton. so far as It relates 20 National affairs DIFF
fcrs from that Of any other Of the prominent
candidates for the Republican nomination. Al
tho present moment he can only be called
local candidate We say this in 10 disparase-
meat Of either his claims or his prospects. but
simply because II is a fact within the knowledge
OF all men, Of which frankncss comprls the adj
mission, and which 1t would be folly 10 ignore.
1t Is also 10 be taken into account that notwiih-
standing the crcumstancc-by no means unim-
portant-that he has been named rs candidate
by n unanimous vOt" Of his own party in
State Convention. there is a widespread srs-
melon that Interior motives were behind that
action, Of which the G0vorno: himself is not
unaware, ana that perhaps for this reason he
has refrained from any open ana public recog
milton of H. Considering. then. that there has
been no response from any quarter 10 The highly
complimentary resolution IF the State Conven-
ton naming him as the candidate Of the Rcpub-
leans Of New York State; and. further. that com
mon report connects the Republican leader who
so skilfully carried the resolution through the
convention with other and different arrange
ments in behalf OF rival candidates, 1t may be
that Governor Morton feels ii 10 be due 10 the
dignity Of his present official position. as well
as TO his own self-respect. that he should with
out any intermediary convey 10 the public some
authentic informa ton as 10 his precise attitude
But even then there would be such an mpca.
ton OF dstrIst If the experienced leader who
seems to have the Governors political fortunes
in his charge AS to put him at a disadvantage
In the comparison with other candidates. who
trust their managers so implicitly that they
make IL their chief care 20 maintain Il digniicd
rcticence.
The Tribune continues In the belief formerly
EXPRESSED that there is no call for Governor
Morton TO define his position either directly or
Indirectly, regarding the Presidential nomina-
tlon. Unless. possibly. he has become fully con.