New-York tribune., 1895-09-27
NEW,JERSEY DEMOCRACY.

Ring and Gang In NewJersey nave pIayed
their strongest card. They have nominated
Chancellor McGl for Governor. That they
would do SO had long been foreseen. The slate
was So carefully made that there was no serious
attempt to break II. The plan OF some dis
gruntled Democrats in Essex County to make
nomination "by popular petition died before
II was fully born. Mr.. Cutler whose services
as an ofiice-holder and practical politician were
supposed TO endear him to the farmers, talked
and was talked Of at some county fairs, Dut
never was really in the race. Mr.. Stockton The
Attorney General. long ago made 1t clear that
he was not a candidate for the votes or men
whom 1t was his official duty 10 try 10 send TO
prison: and Judge LipplncOt, in like manner.
had no desire TO seek the support Of those upon
whom he had passed penal sentences. SO there
was no rival to the machine candidate. From
the beginning II was McCilll first and no second.
The candidate Is, beyond doubt, an eminently
respectable man That fact appears TO have led
some simple souls to think he was not chosen
by Ring and Gang, but was nominated over
their heads by that nebulous and hypothetical
entity known TO mlcroscopists as the reform
element OF the Democratic party. Such fancies
cause to the judicous mingled amusement and
uously the choice Of the Bosses. both in spite Of
and because Of his rcspectablity. We esteem
him. personally, far too highly TO indulge in any
odous comparisons. Yet ''the truth of history
must be preserved" The present Democratic
Governor Of New-Jersey is-Or at the time OF
his nomination was said 10 bean emlnently
respectable man. He had also. occupied a high
judicial office. And he chosen and nom
mated by Ring and Gang, and elected by them
by means OF an almost unprecedented debauch-
mcnt OF the ballot 1t may be added that
throughout his term Of office he has served his
creators we'll
We would not insult Chancellor McCil by en-
deavorng TO institute "A parallel between the
two cases Indeed, should we do so the attempt
would fail at the crucial point. For Mr.. Wcrts
was elected. and Mr.. McGll will not be-. The
essential thing. however. Is 10 keep In mind. and
to keep II before the voters Of Ncw,Jerscy. that
this years candidate Just as much as he Of three
wears ago. was chosen by the desperate rngsters
10 serve their own purposes. ANY other view
OF the case IL n deusion. We do not say that
Mr. McGill Is knowingly and willingly making
himself the partner or the tool Of the corrupton-
lists We are entirely ready 10 believe that he Is
too blind 80 see and to understand the game
that Is being played. What We do maintain Is
that the same evil influences that have for
twenty years made New,ersey government
tissue OF rascaity are still dominant IN The
Democratic party Of that State, that they con
troled Yesterdays convention. and that they
dictated The nomination " Mr. McGlll as their
candidate for the Governorshp To say that
they did so with any idea that he would II
elected. be- able 10 withstand them. and would
beat them down and give The State an honest
administration, Is to talk nonsense.
The correctness Of this view IL amply vindi-
Gated by the present attitude and recent history
Of the New-Jersey Democracy. 1t stubborny
resisted every movement toward reform of
known abuses in the State government The
iniqnities disclosed by last springs investigation
inspired Il with neither Indignation nor repent
ance There has been no revolution In It's
ranks. nor any movement toward nor express
sion Of sympathy with reform. 1t Is as bad as
It ever was. No matter how respectable may be
It's fgnrehead II Is the same old party. 1t Is
Joined 10 It's idols Let II alone The only hope
Of the State, for good government and for civic
progress. Is in the Republican party. which has
within the year broken the power Of Ring and
Gang suppressed the infamies Of Guttenburs
and Gloucester, and made the name Of New
Jersey once more one that an honest citizen may
own without humiliation. The realization OF that
hope requires the defeat OF this respectable can
didate Of Ring and Gang and the election Of
John W. Grggs as Governor and handsome
Republican majority in each branch Of the
Legislature.