New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-26
THE SYRACUSE COMEDY.

THE SYRACUSE COMEDY
The only really astonishing thing about the
Democratic State Convention at Syracuse was
the breaking of the railroad record by two news
paper trains conveying to the convention town
Of Syracuse two New-York City Democratic
morning papers in unprecedented time our
enterprising contemporary THE New-forK
Times" announced yesterday morning as n
"Great Journalistic Feat that copies OF that
lively and entertaining journal were in the nands
of delegates at Syracuse at sos n. IN on Tues
day and that many statesmen OF the hrst Glass;
including Ex-Governor Flower. were greatly sur
prised thoreat Also delighted. For many or
them expressed much satisfaction at getting II
before breakfast; it was such an aid to digestion
But last night our other enterprising Democratic
contemporary, "rhe New-Iork World an
nounced In impressive headlines that II 100 had
broken all records in placing that Trustworthy
vehicle of general intelligence In the hands OF
all classes Of citizens Of Syracuse on wednesday
morning at S:O7 precisely, or just one minute
earlier than anybody In Syracuse on any prevl-
Gus occasion had ever laid eyes on newborn
morning paper From the account OF the per-
formance which our trustworthy contemporary
nublished In It's evening edition II appears that
this journalistic achievement occupied the minds
Of the delegates and citizens generally pretty
much all day. 10 the exclusion Of all other topics.
And vet II was net mentioned, so far as Is now
known. by any Of the speakers or even referred
TO in the platform
In other respects the convention broke no
records though many Of the delegates doubt
less had records which they would\De glad to
nhspn
little Perry Belmont as temporary chairman
was not more funny than usual, but Perry IL
always a success in provoking laughter, ana
never more so than when he takes himself seri-
ousy and sets out to be impressive. His re-
marks about David b. Hill and the self-sacri-
6cing way in which that statesman permitted
himself TO be submerged last year for the good
of the party were in Perrys finest vein OF subtle
hurnor. And Roswell =. Flower was not hair
bad either when in taking office as permanent
chairman he tossed on the horns OF his merry
rhetoric and untamed eloquence the dreadful
ness of Republican administration, and thrilled
all hearts by his graphic description OF the man
ner in which it had disappointed all the hopes or
the earnest reformers. Roswell has his outs,
one of which is that for his higher flights he
requires time for preparation, not being nanny
at improvisation, in which respect he diners
from Bourke Cochran. But he reads well, ana
his utterances seldom fail TO excite mirth lie
was quite help TO the comedy. SO also was
Grady who made the greatest effort OF his lie.
1t was a spirited speech. The State Democ-
racy also contributed to the general hilarity by
the maidenly dignity with which they retired
from bad company when they found they were
not wanted-at the price they demanded.
Then there were the resolutons-the platform
so called They were for the most part stereo-
tvped That is. they said the same old things in
pretty much the same old way about the infa-
nous manner in which the Republican party
had conducted the Government for q great many
wears and what hard work the Democracy had
TO do to get the National finances and the bust
ness of the country into their present booming
and highly prosperous condition; and they did
I'D the usual congratulations in the usual broad
minded large and general way to which no
man who takes delight in words can raise an
objection. But there were things In them that
were ever funny. Just think for moment
Of the personnel Of the convention, and then
that 1t said. with apparent seriousness, that 1t
favored economy in public expenses no public
money for private purposes or political jobs.
Honesty in public Office; no tainted legislators;
no corrupt traffic in legislation think Of that
as a provocation Of hilarity. Then Honest cleo
tons" and practical and honest reform N the
Civil Service".-was ever such n funny lot OF
fellows gathered under one roof before? And
they did 1t all with perfectly straight faces with
out even cracking a smile. And still there are
those who say that the Democratic party as an
organized body has no sense Of humor Why,
that convention was flnncr than half dozen
clrcuses. with three rings in each and a thou
sand clowns in each ring.
But the excise plank. II was on that that the
party was going TO make a record that would
be altogether out Of sight. 1t was advertised
that the party would fairly astonish itself by the
holiness with which 1t would walk up TO the
excise question. abolish Sunday, throw open sa-
looms for all hours Of day and night every day
In the year and say Here's personal liberty for
YOU" And 1t just didn't. 1t walked up to it
and smelt Of 1t. Then it said: "A good many
democrats believe Sunday should be day Of
rest and a good many other Democrats think
differently. Consequently. we will mix things
up in tangle Of words so that both kinds of
democrats will be satisfied and vote the ticket +"
And that after all. was the funniest thing they
did. For they fooled no one. And the crude
attempt 10 do 1t was the greatest joke Of the
convention.
But the whole affair was funnier than barrel
Of monkeys The Democratic State Conven ton