New-York tribune., 1896-01-07
THE UORTON BOOM.

1t is too early M the present moment to calcu-
late with anything approaching accuracy the
effect upon the country Of the announcement
made last week that those eminent Republicans.
McsSrS Platt. Dcpcw. Miller and liiscock. had at
last overcome Governor Mortons evident re-
luciancc 10 continue in public ifc and had oh
taincd his consent 10 the Use of his name ~ 4
candidate before the Republican National con
vcniion for the nomination for President And
il is too early. Of course ~ The Tribune pointed
ont a few days ago. 10 predict with absolute
certainty his nomination. though, ~ va, re-
marked at that time. the procurement 10y these
gentlemen Of the Governors consent removes
what might otherwise have been a serious oh
staclc to that contamination For We do not
now recall single instance Of the nomination
by Republicans Of "A candidate for President
who had not in some way made manifest his
willingness 10 accept Nor do We recall but one
instance Of the kind in connection with Demo
cratic Presidential nominations That was The
ease of IIorltio seymour in lN';N; but that has
always been considered phenomenal Hence It
was important that Governor MortOns consent
should be- obtained before the boom was started
Too high prais. cannot be awarded the fuur
eminent statesmen. who by gradual approaches.
and by what might almost be called nSinuat-
ng methods. at last ovcrcamc the Governors
doubts and scruplcs and prevailed upon him To
permit them 10 make an authoritative announce
ment of his willing attitude 1t perhaps
unfortunate that the plan agreed upon at the
last Of the series Of dinner parties AZ which the
matter was discussed by which the announce
mcnt was To bc made by the publication of "A
number Of simultaneous interviews. was not
fully carried out. but ii almost invariably hap
pens in such cases that the earnest enthusiasm
Of one or two men leads TO innocent disclosures
which seem almost Ike a violation Of confidence.
In this ease 10 real harm was done. ~ the
public mind was somewhat prepared for the
revelation.
There was. Of course, a general expectation
that great force would be given 10 the move
mcnt by the prominence OF the gentlemen en-
gagged in it-particulary Of the four statesmen
whose names have been most conspicuous and
have been mentioned above. 1t is not certain
but that too much dependence has been placed
on this circumstance. For, although II may be
generally conceded that Mr. Platt being what
ever else may be said of him-so free from per
sOna ambition that no intelligent person sup
poses he would ever permit his name to 20 be-
fore the people for an elective office, mus ncccS-
sarlly be unsclfsh: and though Mr.. Dcpew, who
has himself been the candidate Of his party In
this State, has generously rcnounccd his own
ambition and taken frequent occasion 10 say
that Governor Morton'S age no obstacle to
his canlidacy-a most magnanimouS concession.
considering his own advantage in the matter Of
years: and though Mr. Millcr'S self-sacrcing
disposition. as heretofore exhibited on notable
p ii uuI
loyalty: and though the virility of Mr.. IIiscocks
intellectual powers and the massive energy with
which he has always been ready to exert them
in the public service, gave the assurance of eX-
trcmcly aggressive effort on his part -notwith
Standing all these considerations, II Is quite pos
slblc that the prominence of these gentlemen in
the movement may have excited too great conf
dencr in the public mind Al any rate, II has
10 be admitted that the response TO the an
nouncement made last week has not in all re-
spects come up to the expectation that had been
formed. There are, Of course, many things that
may account for IT, Mems minds have been
largely occupied with the exciting intelligence
from London and Berlin concerning disturbed
relations between the Great Powers the splen-
did offer of New-York newspaper to pay the
National debt and the consequent hesitation Of
President Cleveland to ask for aid from any
other quarter. have attracted a great deal Of at
tcniion: then there's the Cuban insurrection,
and many other things not necessary to cnumcr
ate; all Of which have stood In the way Of any
thing in the nature OF a popular uprising.
But this. we are confident. Is only n momentary
Mcssrs Plat. Dcpew. Miller
and Hiscock have hardly had time yet to put in