New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-01
GorERyoR MORTON AND HIS SUCCESSOR

Though II cannot be said that Governor Nor
toms administration. which closes to-day has
been absolutely free from the mistakes TO which
human falilility Is always exposed. 1t Is only
lust and true to say that ii has been. upon the
whole and in the long run. crediiable alike TO
himself and to the State Whatever mistakes
the Governor has made-and ii must be adj
mitted even by his opponents that they nave
been few and, as a rule, not OF serious impor-
tance-have been Of the head and not or the
heart The confidence Of the people In his high
character. his strict probty. his honorable I'M
stlncts, his fidelity to trust ard devotion to the
public interests, which was so strkngly mani
tested in the large majority by which he was
elected. has not been shaken or disturbed. III
has happened TO but few public men to retire
from office and close long political career with
so strong a hold upon the esteem and affection
OF the people whom they served. The condi-
tons under which he has been placed during his
term Of Office obviously have not been favorable
to a successful administration The very fact
that he had behind him at the outset an over
whelming majority and that his party was also
proportiona,ely strong in both branches Of the
Legislature was rather hndrance than help
For. as almost invariably happens, the appar-
ent strength Of the party and the assurance II
gave Of continued power and control in the state
bred fractional differences, which in disturbing
party harmony endangered the success OF the
administration.
In adjusting himself and the Executive policy
70 these extremely embarrassing conditions II
was impossible. of course. TO avoid friction en-
tirely or TO escape giving offence to some or his
SUPPORTERS We give aim high and deserved
prn when we say that he has carried himself
IA ouch The difficulties arising from these con-
difi'..s in such a manner that in the most heated
q nsslons Of his acts his motives have not been
seriously mpugned nor his conscieniousness In
the discharge of official duty impeached Ihat
he retained in a high degree the confidence or
his party was sufficiently shown by the unanim-
jty with which he was named by two successive
State conventions as It's candidate for the Pres
idential nomination. For whatever may he
said of the motives Of the men most active in
forwarding that movement. it cannot he gain
said that the popular response to it was indica-
tive of high regard for Governor Morton and
a desire to give it the most noteworthy express
sion. 1t was. in effect, vote of approval Of
TO the country at large Of the affectionate es-
TEEN In which he Is held by his own people. The
Tribune. which has had occasion TO differ with
him Mt times. and has not always approved his
Executive policy, gives him Its congratulations
upon the success which in general has attended
his administration. and especially congratnlates
him upon the fact that at the close or his Official
term. and possibly of his public career there Is
no dlscordan. note in the popular acclaim, "Well
done. good and faithful servant
1t only remains to welcome the incoming Gov
ernor. who has yet his work to do and his record
10 make The Tribune grcets him most cor
daily and gives him its best wishes. That his
administration will be free from mistakes is too
much to hope. That it will be conducted upon
the high plane Of patriotic devotion to the gen.
eral welfare, regardless Of favorites or factions
and so deserve a continuance OF the confidence
manifested by the Overwhelming majority which
brought it into being, Is our earnest hope and
only aspiration.