New-York tribune., 1898-01-28
OTP CEE4TORS.

oreot Observation-Disclosures unintentional-
has been done by our pubc-spirited contempo-
rarv THE New-York Herald TO the two eminent
statesn,en who so ably and even brilliantly
renresont this State in the United States Sen
ate Commenting upon the circumstance that
they made no contribution TO the debate over
the silver resolution Of Senator Teller, our con-
tannorarv saws: as there a State of New
york? History tradition. statistics tell us
that there is: but the current debate IN the
"Senatc over the blow Mr.. Teller aims nj the
\afional credit affords no trace Of her exist
"encn She Is not represented In the Senate
In conclusion Il saws: "When the representa-
give OF Western mining Commonwealth
"with one-twentieth Of New-York's population
strikes at the prosperity Of the whole people,
"at the foundations Of National honor ana
"credlt the Senators from smaller States are
"in the arena. ready with voice and vote 10 ex-
"nose and combat the nefarious measure. New
"York's two Senators-where are they: II
we rightly understand the drift Of these OBJ
scrvotlons they contain an implied censure Of
two great political leaders TO whom their FOL
lowers are accustomed to point with pride. Our
contemporary apparently abors under tile I'M
pression that they were elected with the under
standing that they should represent the state
in the discussion upon the floor or the Senate
Of questions In which the people have an inter-
est, and fapcies that they were derel!ct IN duty
because when this exceedingly important debate
was on they sat dumb and made no sign 1t
is under this mistaken impression, no doubt,
that great though unintentional, injustice has
been done to our distinguished representatives.
Messrs. Murphy and Plat were not elected
TO the United States Senate with the expecta-
tion that they would either originate any pub
lie measure themselves or take part in the dis
cusson Of current public questions as raised
by their colleagues. They were never known
as orators or debatcrs. Their usefulness was
in other and entirely different directions Sena-
tor Murphy. for instance, has never. so far
AS we know, addressed any public gathering
larger than a knot Of statesmen whom he could
take by the buttonhOe In front of bar, but
In the latter relation he was said TO be uncom-
mon powerful His stronghold Is thinking.
We have no doubt that while this Teller de-
bate was going on and he was sitting 80 calm
and still in the seat which he so abundanty
fills that he was really thinking. He was not
neglecting his duty. His mind was occupied.
Nor have we any doubt that he was actually
doing the State greater and more useful service
sitting there thinking than he could have done
by taking the floor and engaging in the great
debate And the State has more reason TO be
proud Of him than it would II he had taken an
active part in the proceedings. Moreover. II Is
TO be taken into consideration that the political
situation In this State really enjolned silence
upon him. For 1t is not yet definitely known
whether the New York Democracy is In favor
Of the principle OF FIRE, silver coinage MS en-
bodied in the Teller resolution or opposed TO IT,
Until that is definitely determined 1t would
hardly be proper or polite for Senator Murphy
10 project his eloquence into n running debate
on that question In the Senate. He was wise
HIS party may continue 10 point to him with
pride.
AS for Senator Plat, is he not known as the
champion OF the gold standard who. without
ever saying word about it to more than two
PERSONS at n time, actually drove the Republican
party much against It's will to adopt the gold
standard plank in the ST. Louis platform? Did
he not save the Republican party from suicide
ly the manly and outspoken attitude he as
sumed in his own room in 81. Louis hotel in