New-York tribune., 1896-02-06
Mp tTTERRITH AS M UORIST

VI n. II
What Mr. Edward Lauterbach's special and
pet ambition is we have no means of knowing
We have sometimes thought hc had burning
desire to be classcd as statesman. His willing
ness 10 be United States Senator points in that
direction When some months ago in setting up
as his political ideal the Rcpublicanism OF Lin
coin and Grant "and Platt" we looked present
" for an interview of Mr.. Platt with himself in
which that statesman should proclaim as his
own political ideal the Republicanism of Lin
coin. Grant "and Lauterbach" That would have
fixed Mr.. Lautcrbach in the statesman class.
But il was such long time between interviews
that Mr. Platt evidently forgot il in his next.
This is no reason. however. for thinking that
Mr. Iauterbach's aspirations do not soar - that
height There is nothing in the shorncsS Of his
physical intellectual or moral legs TO forbid his
entertaining that ambition, though some OF these
conditions may hinder his reaching ii.
There can be no doubt that he has an ardent
and almost uncomfortable ambition 10 take rank
as shrcwd sagacious and successful managing
politician. The activity he has shown during the
last year. the energetic manner in which hc has
exercised his peculiar gifts. and the conStanry
with which lie has kept himself not only con
spicuously in the public eye. but somewhat
heavily on the public stomach. make it manifest
beyond any question that he ycarns for this dis
tinction There could he no clearer proof Of II
than was furnished by the able AMI eloquent adj
dress he delivered before the PhcniX Republican
Club the other night, 10 which reference has al
ready been made in The Tribune wherein he
"rouscd his hearers to enthusiasm" by assuring
Them that Mr. Platt and himself, with the active
cooperation Of the Legislature and the willing
consent Of Governor Morton would presently
enact laws for the government OF the 'f'l''r
New-York which would drive ont of Office all
their opponents and put the supporters "i Ih'
Platt Lautcrbach combination in their places.
Now. if Mr. Laulcrbach spoke by the card. win
thc certainty that the Legislature viii pass his
bills and that the Governor will sign them and
after signing them appoint commissioners
pledged 10 carry out the programme there * not
thc slightest doubt that in the minds Of IN" men
oppoln,cd Mr. Iauicrbach will take rank as one
Of The shrcw,csi. most sagacous and flrsrclng
political managers that ever ''rou,el his hearers
TO enthusiasm or stirred The average taxpayer
70 wrath and Indignation. II WAS great stride
toward distinction as political manager If it
turns out as predicted. That remains 10 hr seen.
something
But whatever may be- Mr. Iluiorblrh
chances 10 be cla>scd rs statesman or managing
politician, we feel quite certain that his 'nori
10 provoke mirlh on the occasion II his speech
above referred to-alhough il DID, according 10
n friendly report raise a laugh will not cstab-
liSh his reputation a. a humoriSi. When h'
spoke of the prizes of 5000 offered by Mayor
Strong for proofs Of Mr.. l'lltt'S assertion that
positions with salaries of thousands OF dollar;
"a wear have been offered 10 leaders 10 bctray
..thc organization ''abOut all We are likely 10
get from this administration and playfully re-
bukcl Mr. John III. Gunner. who had agreed -
furnish cases Of bribery NJ - per cent discount
for "brtraying the organization by IN offer I"
cut rates" IL strikes us that his humor. besides
being sartlonic was II trifle inOppOriunc. II con
vcyed 10 the common mind general notion. in
the first place, that the main purpose Of Mr..
Lauterbach and his associates was To get some
thing out Of this administration. and that. not
being able to get anything in the shape of office,
they were willing to take money. That, he says.
is "aI we are likely 10 get" This Is frank but.
after ALL Mr. Iautcrbach ought 10 know that
thousands Of good citizens who take part In mu-
nicpal elections reckon honest government rs
the chief and essential thing they hope they
are likely 10 get The Majority Of voters, who,
after ALL control results without regard 10 the
plans Of political managers, are not looking
either for offices or $500 rewards. but for decent
administration and honest government. Mr..
Iautcrbach's coarse humor lghlcns mp the situa-
tion TO their minds in disclosing the sole purpose
of his political activity Mr.. Lauterbach made
n mistake in treating humOrOusly what 10 most
citizens Is very serious matter
He is not successful humoris His humor Is
inopporiunc He is funny at the wrong time.
He may excite mirth in the minds OF Il few fool
lsh persons but in the consideration Of decent
citizens his humorous effort awakcns only Il pro-
found disgust