New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-12
WITHDRAWAL OR REJECTION.

A notable opportunity TO confess error ana
prevent mischief is now given TO Governor Nor
ton. and we should rejoice in an assurance that
he was resolved TO accept it. He has recently
made two extremely bad appointments. Ills
choice of n Civil Service Commissioner. 10 re-
Mace an incumbent who ought to be retained
rs long as he would consent to stay. is. a man
thoroughly disqualified by his record and ac
knowledged proclivites for the office 10 which
he has been nominated. We do not know that
Mr. Lord might not be reasonably expected 10
do some other kind Of public work satSfactoriy'
but TO make him Civil Service Commissioner
is TO put premium upon infIelity in an official
relation which especially needs to be character
lied by absolute sincerity. The other appoint
men to which we refer is that OF Stewart 10 the
State Inspectorship Of Gas Meters. Whatever
the Governor may still believe concerning MI
Lords fitness for place on I'll" civil service
Board It Is impossible 10 doubt that he Is now
disguised with Stewart. He has learned tha'
he was outrageously imposed on by the hackers
OF that odious person; that his appointee Is moi
merely disqualified for public office, but per
sonally diSreputable. and that il would h" an
offront 70 the whole community 10 put him in
charge Of any public interest or in authority over
any individual.
Governor Mor,or'S course with regard 10 these
two appointments. and especially that OF stew
art will be watched with much interest, Tor II
will afford significant test Of his moral courage
inst AT q time when such test will he OF more
than usual consequence. We have no DISPOSE
ton to cNagscrate the Governors original fau:t
in making these selections. much preferrng 10
assume that they wer- made in ignorance. VI
course 1t is disappointment TO realze tha' ne
was capable Of being so misled. IN spite OF SO
many earnest protests based on ample knowl-
edge: but the people would readily forgive III"
indiscreton if il should he practically admitted
and repaired by a withdrawal of the improper
nominations Indeed. such IN act Of reIuital IN
stead Of slbccting Governor Morton 10 even tn"
mildest ridicule would be exceedingly gratifying
10 all citizens whose appreciation Is worth nav
inc. In the nature Of things. he must be esp"-
ciay solicitOus 10 increase the number ol those
who have full confidence in his unselfSh zeal
for the public welfare, as well as in his personal
rectitude. We should say that he could afford
least Of all at this time to foster doubt in the
minds Of good citizens who have held him in
high esteem.
II is a great salisfacti n TO believe that the
Governor Of New-York is not Indifferent. as some
of his predecessors have been. TO moral consld-
erations He would always prefer to deserve
the complete respect Of citizens who estimate Il
political policy or operation by what it con
tributes 10 the common credit and wellbeing.
II there is a doubt as TO his course in respect
70 these unfit appointments which he was be
trayed into making it is not because his natural
inclination to do right Is under suspicion but
only because experience teaches that such an
opportunity as Is now presented TO him Is very
seldom embraced. 1t may be hard to understand
why it should be so. since the rewards OF moral
courage are sure and great, but so 1t is. In this
case we hope TO see noble exception to gen
eral rule But If the Governor should unhappily
neglect his duty and his interests, the obliga-
ton of saving the State from serious discredit
and injury would dcvolve upon the Senate. The
nominations Of Stewart and Lord ought to be
Withdrawn. If they are not to be Withdrawn
they must be rejected.