New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-05
THE GOVERNORS INTERPOSITION

The Tribune has endeavored to treat Governor
Morton's administration from its beginning
without either partially or prejudice. We were
under no illusions as to the peculiar circum-
stances attending his nomination and election,
and we have not failed TO appreciate the diff
cultes arising from those conditions which have
been his constant environment. We have not
hesitated to say, notwithstanding. that most OF
his Appointments have been about as bad as IT
was possible for Republican Governor to make;
that Willingly or unwittingly he has used ofhcial
patronage or permitted 1t to be used, not only
for fractional purposes. but in manner that de-
based the public service and disgraced his own
administration; and that in so doing he seemed
so eager TO repay what he deemed personal
favor to those most active In procuring his nom
nation as apparently to forget that possibly no
owed less to their exertiOns than TO the popular
appreciation of his own public service His APP
pointments have been applicable only upon the
theory that he owed his nomination to the favor
Of faction and not as was represented at the
time to popular enthusiasm and an uprising OF
the party. His appointments have consequently
been more than unfortunate; they have been I'M
commonly and almost invariably bad The IT'D
une has felt compelled to CRITICS, them. but In
doing so has not failed to keep in mind that the
Governor was actuated solely by an amiabe
but misguided sense Of gratitude, and not by
motives Of selfish ambition.
On the other hand. we took unusual pleasure
during the session Of the last Legislature, when
ever the opportunity occurred, in expressing to
the Governor our own and the pubc's gratitude
for his sometimes active but more often quiet,
Intervention in behalf of the cause of good gov
crnment and municipal reform against the
Vaccinations Of the rcactionary Republican fac
ton of this town which claimed to control his
action. On several occasions Governor Morton
rendered most important service In this regard
1t was sometimes done by hint or by sug-
gestion, sometimes by more positive declara-
ton Of purpose. which acted as a deterrent to
the conspirators and mischefmakers, but 1t was
none the less effective for being undemonstratve
and without offensive thrust He was unQues-
tionaby wise and discreet-as well as active.
in entire conformity with his own amable dis
position-to use his influence in counsel instead
Of waiting to exercise his power after actual col
lision had occurred The Tribune was prompt
to recognize the very considerable service he
rendered the cause OF good government and
municipal reform in this way last year, and did
not hesitate TO award him for 1t the highest
praise.
IT, as is now currently reported and generally
believed. Governor Morton has again inter
posed In behalf Of good government and honest
politics, against the welaid schemes Of the
Republican faction which has undertaken to set
up great political machine by means Of patron
age provided for by the Greater New-York and
Excise bills, he has again deserved the thanks
not only of all honest Republicans. but Of all
good citizens. 1t may be said, OF course, that
the hostility which these two schemes have
aroused in the minds Of the better class OF Re-
publican voters has influenced the Governors
action, and that his present relation to National
politics makes him unusually watchful OF con-
ditons that threaten the integrity Of the party
in this State. But we gre not now scrunizing
motives. Whatever may have been his motive,
the action he has taken in this matter, IL the
reports are true, entities him to public gratitude
Even II he has decided to head off these mis-
chevous schemers for no other reason than that
they imperil his own candidacy at st. Louis, he
deserves the credit Of exercising much greater
sagacity and forecast than the rattle Drained
factionists who are trying to make political cap
ital for themselves out Of the notion that they
are in absolute control Of the Executive, as well
as of both branches of the Legislature. He GER
tainly can see further into the future than they
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