New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-10
is 1T A COLLAPSE?

The rather confident assertions of some OF
our CONTEMPORARIES that the Morton boom has
collapsed to such an extent that his name will
not appear in the list of candidates at ST. LOUIS,
even on the first ballot, probably have no basis
boyond conjecture 1t is hardly conceivable
that all the delegates from this State, some OF
whom have publicly expressed their determina-
ton to vote for Governor Morton as their first,
last and only choice in the Convention, would
consent to the absolute withdrawal OF his name
before the halloting begins. But no one who
has observed the current of public opinion dur
ing the last few weeks can have failed 10 re-
mark not only that the Governor has gained
no strength, but that there are obvious indica-
lions of tagging interest in his fortunes. even
among those who We're most active in the early
promotion of his candidacy, and most strenuous
in their insstence upon the probability OF his
success Among these indications the departure
of MI Depew for the Pacific coast on the eve
of the State Convention. at which he was ex-
pected to make one Of his ringing speeches In
favor of New Yorks favorite son. was count
ed as not without some significance. Less note
worthy, perhaps yet counting for something IN
the public mind, was the fact that at that Con
vention nobody came forward to thrill the audi
cnce with praises of the Conventions candidate
Nor has ii escaped notice that MT flat', VINO
more than anybody else Is responsible for the
Morton candidacy. at time when the move
mept was in extreme need Of active exertions
to promote II and keep ii alive fled to Florida
for rest" Nor that by a queer coincidence
Senator Quay. of Pennsylvania, fed at the same
time to the same haven for the same purpose
Nor that Warner Miller has seemed unusually
lethargic; that Frank IIiscock makes no sign
that Edward Lauterbach is entirely engrossed
in lobby schemes and even Hackett speaks but
rarely. and then In perfunctory way.
Moreover some things have happened at Al
bany lately which to the alert and active In
telligence Of the press correspondent might sug
gest q shadowy sort of suspicion that the Gov
ernor himself had abandoned hope of obtaining
the nomination and. in his WEAKNESS OF the
whole business. become reckless as to his own
chances and the consequences of his acts. This
would be not unnatural Interpretation Of his
recent action with regard to the excise APP
pointments which have been made under
his direction as to leave no doubt In any candid
mind that the main purpose Of the bill was to
build up corrupt political machine. The Gov
ernor could hardly help knowing that this was
the precise thing which would do more than
anything else to demonstrate his intimate con
/
machine Nor could he very well help knowing
that by cutting loose from such influences and
compelling appointments Of different sort he
would strengthen himself with the better ele
ment' in the party already dislrustful Of him.
without in the least weakening his hold upon
! the faction which is committed to his support so
absolutely as to forbid the possibility of change
| Of attitude He must have known all this and
! In sheer WEAKNESS Of the whole business yield
ed to their opportunities regardless Of the effect
upon his own Presidential prospects This
seems to be the only reasonable explanation OF
| q policy which, in It's relation to his supposed
Presidential ambition, can only be regarded as
suicidal
Another circumstance which may be taken
an indication that the Governor himself has
given up all hope of obtaining the nomination
Is his manifest Indifference 10 public opinion in
permitting Mr. Caleb Simms TO make effort
| to draw pay from the State Treasury for time
occupied by that person in a journey through
the State for the openly avowed purpose Of pro-
noting Governor MOrtons Presidential amb
ton. The Governor could not help knowing that
this involved public scandal In view Of Sen
ator Chambers outbreak upon what that gentle
man denounced as political immortality on the
part Of q private citizen, who was charged with
dcfrayng out OF his own pocket inc expenses
attending the canvass Of rival candidate. he
must have been aware that much greater scan
dial was involved In the payment from the State
Treasury Of one of his own emissaries 1t Is
not to be believed that the Governor would have
permitted such scandal to be made public, with
the certainty Of It's blighting effect upon his own
fortunes when he could easily have avoided
1t by remuneratlng Mr.. Simms from his own
purse had he not made up his mind that the
game was up.
These no doubt. are the circumstances which
lead to the belief in the minds Of some people
that the Morton boomers and the Governor him
self have abandoned hope, and that the Morton
boom has collapsed But II remains to be said,
nevertheless, that they do not furnish absolute
proof Of the fact. Governor Morton continues
to be n candidate, though with rapidly disap-
pearing chances The movement In his behalf
has been but "fayorite son" diversion from the
outset The Tribune has never concealed from
It's readers It's own view Of the subject while
endeavOring to treat the Governor and his par
donable ambition with the respect due his pub
. lie services and the reverence belonging TO his
, age There has been something melancholy In
the exhibition Of nsincerity Of which the whole
movement has been 80 fruitful. but much more