New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-28

The municipal issues which the coming cleo
zion Is 70 settle are presumably pretty well
understood by this time. There are not many
of them: in fact. It may be said with substantial
truth that there is only one, namely, whether
Tammany Is 10 lose or retain those fragments oil
its old power which circumstances left to 1t last
wear. and to sink still lower or to make some
gain in prestige and in hope But though most
intelligent citizens undoubtedly comprehend the
political situation, there may be some who as TO
a single question, are laborng under faise I'LL
nression. 1t would not be strange II there were
voters who, without any personal sense OF wrong
or inconvenience really supposed that large
number of their fellow-citizens considered them
selves oppressed by the enforcement OF the OK
else law; and if there are such persons, II ha!
fairly be assumed that they are reasoning Win
themselves somewhat as follows: I'VE are not
conscious of any loss Of comfort or enjoyment
'in consequence Of Sunday closing, ana feei no
"personal grievance on that account. But II ap-
"pears that multitude of respectable QUEENS
lowing perhaps to the special effects OF temper
"ament or circumstance, are seriously incommo-
| dated and exceedingly indignant. ana because
"thev feel so strongly on the subject 1t must be
"thot there is justification for their complaints.
"For this reason we are willing TO vote on their
"side. though we do not share their sense OF out
rage"
Surprising that there are voters who reason IN
this way, we are willing to admit that, II their
premise were only sound. their conclusion Wouid
hn intellIgiblc though II certainly would not indl-
cate n high standard Of civic morality. But there
Is no evidence TO warrant such an hypothesis.
There has been much loud talk about the de-
structon Of our liberties, but no popular uprising
| or general expression Of discomfort has followed
| the enforcement Of the excise law The most
| competent witnesses IN the community declare
| that they have never seen before so many proofs
Of satisfaction and webcing among those very
| elements Of the population In whose name the
| cry OF oppression is raised. We are convinced
that nine-tenths Of the hubbub over the action OF
| the Police Department proceeds from voclferous
| politicians who at first really thought that Il
| large supply Of effective campaign Ammunition
| had been bestowed upon Them ana VINO are
| still endeavorlng ID make falsehoods answer me
| PURPOSE Of facts There is no large class 81
| decent citizens who even imagine that they are
| suffering from the impartial execution or a law
which was formerly the favorite implement OF
| blackmailers All the available evidence war
rants. in fact. compels, the conviction That the
number of those who feel a real sense of dep
| rivation and consequent Indignation IS ex-
tremely small. and is made up OF individuals
whose character to say the least Of II, entities
| them 10 no special respect or consideration The
personal liberty" standard IS ostensiDly Hfted
| in behalf of the sober industrious. frugal poor.
whose scanty resources OF innocent recreation
and enjoyment. we are told, have been ruth
| lessy cut off The fact IL that this very element
of society is constantly manifesting not only the
| benefits. but the satisfaction, which 1t derives
from the enforcement of the law.
And so we say that, II there are voters who,
not because OF personal objections TO the opera
ton of the Sunday law, but because Of sympathy
with an opposition which they suppose 10 be
strong respectable and earnest, have made up
| their minds to help Tammany to all that 1t can
| get out Of this election, their mood and purpose
are based upon fallacy. They have been
tricked by hypocrites. who, If they should win
this fight. would have neither the power nor the
will to redeem their pledges