New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-21
GOTERNOR WERIS.

Tn his constant and outrageous efforts 10 pro
mote good government and civic morality me
Roy John L. Scudder Of Jersey City, has never
hesjtatcd TO use his pulpit as platform from
which to proclaim what he believes to he The
truth Doubtless his conduct in this particular
has not been approved by everybody. Critics OF
Dr Parl,I,urst are probably critics Of Mr.. Scrd-
der But there is pretty general impression
that the fruits by which they are both known In
ther respective communities and elsewhere are
frui,s that any good citizen might well rejoice
+, he known by Mr. Scuddcrs pulpit is con
spicuous among the agencies when nave 'hlii'"'
cncl and consolidated public opinion in New
Jersey and thus co-opcratcl to redeem the "'"'e
from the rule Of scoundrcls. That the rcdenp-
ton is not yet complete recent events nave
proved but the work is going on. ana Mt. Scud'
der continues TO do his full share OF II. we
should have been surprised II he iad not ''h'h
fbc first opportunity 10 dcnouncc rs an indecent
and dcy1orahlc exercise Of power the recent
action Of the Court Of I'ar10ns in setting 'hc hS
Four" Of Gutcnburg AT liberty We should nave
been still more surprised H. having resolved 10
hold ND that scandaous betrayal # justice TO
pubc cxccration he had hcsitated TO put the
responsibility where it belongs.
II is the obvious and exact truth that Governor
Wcrts Is tie chief Instrument of this iniquiiy
Under the law the leaders Of the shattered HlnS
which has plundcred and d!sgraccd the people
could not have been relieved from I'll" penalty 81
imprisonncnt and set free payment OF pAliry
fines without the Governors consent. MAJOR
ity Of the Court can grant no pardon unl'SS nc
* one Of the majority This hieh prerogaiiv" Of
the Executive Office may be exercised 10 TIE graz
honor Of the incumbent AMI the great advantage
OF the State. 1t may be prosiiuicd :" th' service
~ criminals and the injury ~ everybody "H''
That is the use which Governor N'ris has Hiid'
of if. deliberately and with thorough knoWh'lS'
Of all the facts He Is no novice In pubic dH'TH'
who nigh, be- easily lcl aS'Tay 10y criiiy ms
rorrcscntation He knows every actor anu li'l-
1ont I'm ,he prolonged contest between good AMI
evil in Hudson County He is no tyro IN Inc
l,,, whom "A sudden call - "1'rc~" lndl' al
functions might confuse ana m'scad. lie has
SAT an the Supreme Cour, bench. He gave his
,nlisncnsoldc vote I'm the Court Il I'arions last
week 10 save from a penalty which was far too
mild for their crimes conycis Of whose gum
he has never had one particle II doubt Why
did he save them; There Is only one answer 10
that question. Because he was rrcvocahly com
mlticd 10 their service 10y the conditions al Ms
own elevation 20 the highest Office In the STATE.
Huf there Is a more serious thing To be- conHld
cred In this case than the degradation "f m inIl
vi,lual. even If that individual Is Governor MI
Sruddcr has pointed II out. II Is the ihohS'r"u'
discrimination IN thc enforcement of law between
those who have paid or can pay In one way or
another for clcmcnry ana those whom no bui-
wark Of influence or avaricc protects