New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-31
n.

The Democratic campaigners. being unwill-
iny 70 discuss Crokcrs attack on the indepen-
dcnce of the judiciary or their attempt to elect
a Senator and congressman by concealing now
they would vote in Washington on silver ana
having no defence to make for DanforthS elec-
ton stealing and Tammany's Matchmaking or
vice and crime in this city. are devoting them
selves to ringing changes on an IT, That II ~
the one Colonel Roosevelt used when he de-
clarcd that he would give sharp attention TO
the canals and if there had been any corrup-
ton in their management he would do every
thing in his power TO punish IT, The Demo
Gratis have great fun with that If. and we hope
they will continue to have il. for il shows that
the Republicans do them no injustice in de
clarlng that all sense Of the respect due TO or
dcrlv government has departed from the or
caniZaton which Is committed to the Chicago
platforms attack on the Supreme Court. and
which approves of Mr.. CrOker's attempt to
punish just Judge.
Colonel Ro0Sevet's If is Il word which does
credit to bis sense Of the serious character OF
the Executive office. and shows that he Will
not. even 10 gain votes. play the demaf que.
Does any man doubt that Colonel Roosevelt
would gain in popularity If he should announce
that he would put this man in State prison and
cut that and the other mans head off: Such
campaigning always excitcs interest. He would
Ivy doing it respond 10 the public wish that the
canal management he reformed in a way that
would arouse enthusiasm. But for him TO do
so would he utterly wrong. The Tribune has
long held the belief that the canals were not
properly managed. and il thinks there Is need
Of reform in them. but it hOnOrs Colonel RoOse-
welt for his courage in refusing TO constitute
himself. for campaign purposes. prosecuting Al
torney. judge. jury and hangman in case
now under official and somi-iudica examina-
ton preparatory to possible prosecution. As
Stunning that the canal frauds are As black as
any Democrat could wish. and assuming that
even Colonel Roosevelt himself has the same
impression of them. he would still he under
obligations 10 preserve judicial attitude
toward the subject on which be might he
called on to act as Governor.
Of course Democrats who SEQ no improperly
in Mr. Cookers announcement that ne will
punish a Judge who does not on the bench
obey the orders Of Tammany Hall will see no
improperly in a candidate for Governor rush
ing forward with snap judgments about sub
icCt which is. so TO speak in court An indiCt-
ment may ne said to have been presented by
the Commission. The trial has not taken place.
The report of the Commission has been placed
officially through the Governor and Attorney
General in the hands of distinguished Dem
ocratC lawyer. Edwin Countryman. for the
purpose Of a>cCrtaning at the earliest pos
"slble day whether judicial proceedings should
"be instituted against any OF tho parties re-
"ferred 10 in the testimony or the report.
What kind Of n Governor would Theodore
Roosevelt make If he had 30 little regard for
the respect due tho processes of the law and
to cx-Judee Countryman as 70 pronounce off
hand final judgment on a subject which this
eminent Democrat is studying and which might
come before him for review as Governor That
If is the mark Of the fairmndedncss which IL
rs important as honest indignation in an eXccu
tive officer
But suppose Colonel Roosevelt left off the IT.
Would the suspicious have any greater trust in
him? Those who now com plain would continue to
complain saving that his denunciatiOn was all
n campaign dodge. and that his promise would
not he kept If they do not believe his prom
! isc now there would be no reason for them TO
| believe II In such case. He says that If he
| can as Governor find any wrong he will right
| II and punish the wrongdOer. If he carries out
| that promise no will do all that anybody could
desire If Ito cannot no trusted IN carry il ont
/ he could not he trusted 10 carry out a promise
made without the If. Indeed, he could he less
I trusted. FOR his present moderation and regard
for tho judicial aspect Of the Executive office
is a proof of his sincerity The man who does
/ not moan 70 keep his promises need not he
careful about measuring his words The man
/ who means exactly what he says and can be
/ trusted 10 follow II with action uses the II IN
speaking Of things about which he has right
/ to act on assumptions or indictments There
Is much virtue in such an If. II may not he
the best word for campaign shouting But II
Is word which speaks Of good faith and a
sense Of responsibility