New-York tribune., 1896-02-05
. DIGESTION FOR GOVERNOR MORTON.

accepted as wise.
A QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR MORTON.
The frankness Of Mr.. Edward Lauterbach Is
to be commended whatever may be SAID OF his
discretion He Is, by virtue of frauduent en-
rolment and Illegal primaries, the president ol
the so-caled Republican County Committee In
that capacity he addressed on Monday hlght the
Phenix Republican Club OF the NNlAth ASSEM-
bly, District. In the course OF his address, AFTER
denouncing as traitors those members or the
County Committee who do not recognize tie
validity of the fraudulent enrolment ana illeSaI
primaries he "roused his hearers to enthlsi-
asm"-accOrdng to n report or the proceedings
In newspaper which has his coniidence-Dy
stating that the Greater NeW-lorK DIS are
sure to become laws, and that under them the
.men who had failed to recognize the existence
"of the majority Of the county organization DUR
ling the last year will wonder if they exist when
'Tt comes to recognition in appointment 10
"office" In the further course OF his remarks'
without attempting TO outline the provisions Oh
the bills which he and his associates nave pre-
pared and are so confident Of enacting Into law.
he had no hesitation In assuring his hearers that
one Of the provisions would be for the appoint
ment by the Governor Of bipartisan commits
sions to govern the greater city TO be created.
This is n somewhat important announcement
The candor Of ii falls little short OF brutality
Let us see what it actually means MI lauter-
bach represents himself TO be very close TO Gov-
ernor Morton, If not very deep in his confidence.
To substantiate his claim TO intimate and conh-
dental relations with the Governor he can point
to the somewhat significant circumstance that
the latter upon receiving Il detailed statement
Of charges made by several hundred wcll-known
and influential Republicans affecting Mr.. Lautcr-
bacb's title TO the office Of president Of the Re
publican County Committee calmly and trust
fully turned IL over to Mr.. Iauterbach himself
for his adjudication He might also point for
further proof Of his confidential relations with
the Governor to the fact that he has already
been selected to superscdc the Hon FRANK HIS
cock as Delegatc-at-Largc to the ST. Louis Con-
vention and member OF the big Four so called
it belnc generally understood that In existing
conditions the choice of the Delegatesat Large
depends absolutely upon the Governors scec-
ton For these and perhaps other reasons MI
Lauterbach's claim to be in close and confidential
relations with Governor Morton has something
more than mere plausbty; indeed, 1t seems 10
have basis of reason. 1t might also be added
that Mr. Iautcrbach has constituted himsef,
next to Mr.. Platt, the most active leader OF the
movement for the Governors nomination at
St Louis.
In this state Of things, with the National Con
venton the only political event impending, with
the nomination OF Governor Morton by that con
vention the sole objective point OF New-Nork
Republicans, and no serious opposition to him
from any ouartcr-what does this sagacious lead
or Of the Morton forces do? Why, he "rouses
his hearers to enthusiasm" by telling them that
bills will presently be passed by Republican
LEGISLATURE by which the proposed Greater New
York will be governed by commission appoint
ed by the Governor, and that under that com
/ mission "the men who have failed to recognize
| "the existence OF the majority OF the county Or
"eanization during the last year Will wonder
'if they exist when It comes to recognition In
"appointment TO Office No Boss was ever more
/ brutally candid. Tweed in his palmiest days
even in his What tare you-going gtodo-about-ltY
period-never approached it. 1t discioses a
depth Of degradation in political management
that puts Tammany to the blush. Here Is
man occupying an official position In his party
to which thousands OF his party associates hon
estly believe he has neither right nor title calm
ly and unblushir gly putting forth In public
statement that he and his coadjutors deliberately
propose to force through the Legislature, under
the pretence Of enacting laws for the govern
ment of the greatest city on the continent, bills
whose sole purpose will be TO drive out OF office
all their opponents and replace them with their
own retainers and heelers. And he "roused his
hearers to enthusiasm by assuring them that
the event was certain!
If certain, three things are involved any one
Of which would disgrace the Republican party.
while the whole world would stamp 1t with the
infamy which belongs to organized betrayal OF
principle and treachery to the people. First, the
hills which Mr.. Lauterbach rouses enthusiasm
by promising must pass Republican Legis-
loture: second, they must receive Governor Nor
toms approval, and third, Governor Morton
must have given Mr. Lauterbach the assurance
that he would appoint such commission as thnt
gentleman describes Are any OF these 'hiHSs
possbe: We cannot ask the Legislature with
any reasonable prospect Of an answer. we can
ask Governor Morton, and we do, whether Mt.
Lauterbach who claims. for reasons ALREADY
referred to, TO be his representative In the mat
ter Of his Presidential aspirations. represents