New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
WINDING OUR P.'S AND Q.'S."


posing to make a scapegoat OF our poor llttie
Ouigg 1t is the way of the world. Perhaps
THE Brooklyn Eagle" puts it as kindly as
any one. in the article elsewhere quoted. We
hasten TO say that The Tribune has as much
reason as anybody to remember Qulggs per-
versty of heart and economy of the truth
and that nevertheless we are sorry for the
Door devil He set out on this campaign with
the one idea that the way to win 1t was 10
crafty Mr.. Platt and discipline Mr.. Reid. Exiled
from the editorial rooms of one newspaper
after another, Mr. Plat was still able TO find
him columns to which access could be bougnt
and he began His first editorial solemny
warned Mr. Reid that it was evident Inc
Tribune was getting ready to make trouble and
I've meant to expose him. Next we severely
reminded The Tribune that the hundred thou
sand of the machine had swallowed the hundred
and fifty thousand who voted for Seth Low
and that if Mr.. Reid didn't take orders, ana
keep quiet. everybody would know the reason
why And then, again and again, he showed
by the hour how utterly contemplate ana I'M
worthy of a moments notice Mr. Reid was De-
cause he had been IAN Unsuitable office seeker
and was disappointed and malicious when ne
couldn't have everything in sight
As Mr. Reid was otherwise occupied ana
made him no answer he gradually got this
great idea about and even into some respect
able heads like those Of an excellent boston
newspaper; till at last Georgia champion
arose and smote them, hip and thigh, in an
article also quoted in another column.
Our unknown Southern friend is too generous
to Mr.. Reid and too harsh with the Boston
editor There is no reason to suppose mat
these s0ubs meant more than desire 10
have q little fun. Everybody laughs when the
wind blows a mans hat off, or he steps on
banana peel. but there is no malice IN that
So when during mans absence from the coun-
try on official work. which is not Deheved 10
have been failure stories are put af1oat from
the Capital that he is about to be appointed TO
high office and he comes home to learn that
somebody else is chosen it cannot be wondered
at that editors who have nothing more I'M
portant to do, set themselves to guessing now
he feels and trying TO interpret everything he
does as an indication 1t is very human, IL
pleases them and it doesn't do much HARM
But. now that the subject has not been per-
mitted TO divert the attention Of the public from
the question that really concerned 1t about
Platt and Ramapo we haven't the slightest op-
lection (after the Mazet Committee expires) TO
taking it up as often as anybody can show that
the public really cares anything about 1t.
Mr.. Reids record as to office seeking Is brlef.
He has never asked for an office. since his earll-
est service In Washington. nearly forty years
| ago. Each Of three successive Republican Ad-
| minstratlons rendered him one of its highest
| gifts When offered by President Hayes ne
declined; when offered by President GARFIELD, he
declined: when offered by President Harrison,
x.x.-l-h n Gnnf
and then being entirely satisfied, did thing ali
most unheard of in such post,-resigned, TO re-
tnrn to private life at home. His nomination
for the Vice-Presidency came without his solicit
tation and against his advice: but being nomi
| mated he Obeyed the call and did the best ne
could. The two temporary appointments under
the present Administration were absolutely unso-
licited and undesired; and were the personal ten
der of the President. Mr. Reid never heard either
was thought of. until his acceptance was asked.
| Talk about his candidacy for any ofnce under
this Administration never originated with him.
1t all began in Canton or In Washington, or IN
, hostile quarters in New-York, and generally
when he was entirely out of range, In Arizona,
in California. in the Adirondacks or in Paris.
Never did he propose 1t himself, or volunteer
suggestion Of it to any one, until after the re-
thought Of offering him the London appoint
ment had been discussed everywhere in the
press. Then he took occasion to remark that
he didn't relish the position Of being held up to
the country as possibly the Presidents choice
for a great place. merely to have it said that
the Administration couldn't appoint him with
out getting leave Of Mr.. Thomas c. Platt That
is the sum and substance of his persistent
otfice-seeking'; and he probably has no friend
who does not realize how much fuller OF enjoy
ment and power is his private life
But we forget our little Qugg. We return to
him to make prediction. Mr. Plat will not
throw him just yet to the wild beasts OF the ma
chine that are eager to devour him. Mr.
Ougg knows the reason why. And Mr.. Plat
knows that Mr. Quigg knows 1t. So, members
of the harmonized County Committee, take your
medicine.