New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-22
THE ALDRIDGE BOON.

THE ALDRIDCE BOOM.
It was generally known in this city on
Tuesday that 1.-The Aldridge BOOM had been
launched on the day previous at Rochester
which IL the home of AldrIdge-by the Monroe
County Republican Committee. Business now
ever, went on as usual. and except that the
stock market responded with momentary rise
succeeded by fluctuations. there was no great
excitement Even In Rochester, where Aldridge
Is n familiar figure and constant source OF
delight we do not understand that there was
ANYTHING that could really be called popular
uprising This was due, no doubt, in large de-
gree 10 the weather, which was close and
muggy, and, so 20 speak, stlcky-the KIND OF
weather which dampens enthusiasm and de-
presses patriotism. though 1t seems to provoke
thirst and promote the sale OF beer. We pre-
sumo, however, that though there was no up
rising or outpOuring Of citizens upon the occa-
sion. there was profound feeling on the subject
all along the towpath OF the great commercial
artery which winds through the town. and
around the f1resides Of many peaceful Koches
ter homes That the Monroe County Repub-
lcan Committee was deeply moved Is suffi-
ciently obvious from the fact that the resolu-
lions naming Aldridy 20 as the candidate OF Mon
roe County for Governor were adopted with
a hurrah" as we learn from special Rochester
dispatch In a city contemporary. 1t Is also in
teresting to know that Aldridge himself was
not unmovcd by this tribute to his moral worth
for we learn from the same source that after
ward the committeeman ate chicken dinner
"at Mr. Aldridge's expense" IT would be dfi
cult to conceive Of a more delicate and at the
same time substantial. expression OF grateful
appreciation Of civic honors than n chicken
dinner Particularly If there are enough wish
bones" to go round.
And now that the Aldrldge boom Is fairly
launched, II may be well to say that there are,
after ALL worse men than Aldrdge. That he
does not meet with general approval outside OF
Rochester and the Office Of the United States
Express Company in this city IS probably true
But he Is not alone Ia that. There are several
Republican statesmen in the same category
With Mr.. Plat. to whom the Aldridge can
didacy must eventually be referred cOnsldera-
tons Of that sort have no weight AS to his
qualifications, It is only necessary to refer to
the State Constitution. wherein 1t Is stated I'm
plledly. II not in express terms that any man
Is eligible TO the office Of Governor who Is a
citizen of the United States, Is not less than
thirty years Of age. and has been five years n
resident Of the State Aldrdge meets all these
exactions. and meets them to the Queens taste
II would be hard to find n man who more fully
answered all the constitutional requirements
Possessing in such amplitude the constitutional
qualifications for the office In case Of his cleo
ton, 1t remains only to inquire as to his eligi
billty for the Republican nomination. And
here applying the only test absolutely insisted
upon by the men who are reputed to be run
ming the party"-AGr. Uackett, for instance, and
Mr.. Lauterbach-he equally fills the bill. He
enjoys the confidence OF Mr.. Plat, and his
nomination would not be unacceptable to that
distinguished person. 1t may be question: Of
course. whether out Of n considerable flock Of
candidates depending for success upon Mr..
Platts choice Aldridge will have the prefer
ence but there Is no doubt that in n cOmpeti-
tive examination for that powerful chieftain's
favor he would be rated quite near the top. and
his chances may consequently be considered
as, on the whole, at least fair
The objection might be raised against him
by foolish sticklcrs for strict adherence to the
principles avowed and the promises made in
party platforms that Aldridge as Superintend-
ent Of Public Works was utterly oblvious Of
the Civil Service professions Of his party. as
well as of the State Constitution. But over
against that unmportant dercction--if dcre-
LECTION 1t were-may be set the devotion lie
manifested to Mr.. Plat In making his appoint
ments, and the strength Of character exhibited
in asserting his own and Mr.. Platt's will against
the expressed wish of Governor Morton and the
explicit mandate Of the Constitution. Except
upon the tOwpath Of the great commercial
artery which Adridgc so molly and unsenshly
superintcnds. there has never been striking
an exhibition Of mistaken firmncss. He had TO
yield to the Supreme Court. Of course. But so.
too, that model Of firmness. the stcndfast and
unshrlnliing mule, makes concessions in an
emergency TO the solicitations of gunpowder
an unexpected confagration under his stom-
ach OF course 'AIdridge yielded TO the SUI
preme Court. But only temporarily. lie still
has n claim against the State for salaries ad-
vanced to the able-bodied statesmen who volun-
tcered to assist Mr.. Plat and himself In arrest
ing the banefnl operation OF an inlquitons pro-
vision Of the Constitution. As Governor, too,
he would stand n mighty good chance TO col
lect il.
On the whole, the Aldrldge boom may be con-
sidercd as successfully launched. He certainly
makes an extremely picturesque candidate.
The Tribune congratulates him. II also con-
graduates the Monroe County Committee who