New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-01
DEMOCRATIC TRAPS.

There is a class of tenants who not only mis-
use and abuse The property Of their landlords
while they are In possession. and strip II Of every
thing they can lay hands on whenever for non
paymcAt of rent or any other reason they are dis
possessed but who tax their ingenuity for devices
10 trip up the landlord on his rc-cnlry or make
the succeeding tenant uncomfortable. The Dem
ocratc party. which has been occupying the pub
lie offices in this city and State for several years
past. belongs TO that class of tenants. Upon re-
ceiving notice TO quit from the public last fall.
after having misuscd and abused their trust,
their first proceeding was 10 grab whatever was
in sight. They carried this 10 such an extreme
that anxiety began TO be felt lest they should
strip the roof off The Capitol at Albany. They had.
in fact begun on the lead in the cutters. having
previously gotten away with much movable plum
der in the form Of chairs. tables. cuspdorS and
other furniture in and about the building
Long before this they had Net traps of one sort
and another TO trip up their successors whenever
the time should come for them 10 vacIic the
premises one Of the ncalcst Of them was the
Sunday-closing provision of the Excise law. This
was a provision which not only did no harm,
but was extremely useful 10 the Democratic
party. since IT put it in the power Of Democratic
against political opponents or use II for black
mailing purposes TO the enrichment of party man
ayers. II was a doube-endcr by It's enactment
the party made friends Of the advocates or Sun
day closing. while by its noncniorcement IT re-
tanned the support Of the saloon element and the
advocates Of a liberal policy. II was 50 fixed rs
10 please everybody. II gave the law 10 those
who wanted the law and the liquor 10 those who
wanted the liquor Meantime. ii was cunninsly
contrived trap for the party next in succession
For that party would run the risk Of giving Of
fence 70 one class Of voters by enforcing the law
and 10 another by wlnkng Al It's violation There
never was but party in this country that
could successfully carry not only water. but
whiskey on both shoulders. That was m in
gcniOus trap.
They set another equally cunning trap a. an
adjunct TO the law in this city IN the form ~ an
ignorant and corrupt police force which, II re-
auircd TO enforce the law could be- depended
upon 10 do II In such a way ~ 10 make II ~ or
fenslve as possible IN order thereby 10 bring The
party responsible for It's enforcement Into dis
fnyor The TWO devices were intended. perhaps.
10 work together fcr the discontinue ~ The party
coming into power after the Democracy. Whether
50 intended or not. that i the programme AZ
present 4 Republican administration in This
city IL consclcntlously cndcavoring 10 enforce 4
law passed by Democrats. aud Is using Tor that
purpose as II IL compelled 10 do, a police force
organized by. and largely composed Of. Demo
Gratis And Democratic statesmen. d"mns"gurs.
orators and newspapers are trying 10 max" cap
ifal out IL this state II things. They seem io
think that the Republicans have been caught in
the traps set for them.
They make woful mistake The voters are
not fools They understand the situation. Thry
know that If there Is any grievance or hardship
Il grows ont Of the law which was passed 10y
Democratic Legislature and that n the police
force IS ncglecting other more important duties
I'm order 10 enforce H. or Is enforcing II foolishy
and bruially, as is alleged II IS because Demo
cratic municipal administration has >addl'i ms
city with an incompetent police force. Mean
time. II should not be forgotten that ne Demo
cratic huabalo, IL over the enforcement ~ 4
law Of their own making.