New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-10
4 CTPIOT'S DEFENCE.

When we said n few days ago that we
thought Governor Roosevelt was making mis-
take in giving character to the men who had
SINK 100000 of the States money in the ca
nails we were quite prepared for the abuse OF
persons who think that loyalty TO the Repub-
can party consists in shouting that two and two
make five if Republican official happens by
slip TO fall into such an error, even though the
public is only led by such childish folly 10 dis
trust the honesty and good sense Of those per
sons and their party. We were prepared TO see
arguments 10 show that the Governor was right
and that lie correctly interpreted the report OF
MesSrs Fox and Macfarane In saying that they
found the charges against the canal othcials to
he 'Hnfamous lies and SANDERS though to us
their meaning seemed to he exactly opposite
We were not prepared. however, TO see anybody
in pretended championship Of Mr. Roosevelt de-
fend his Horncllsvlle statement, not on the
ground that il was true. hut on the ground that
he happened TO be angry at somebody far away
and vented his feelings on the inquistive farmer
who happened TO he at hand. That distinguished
piece Of excuse making IS the brilliant work or
The New-York Mail and Express. II says
that the Governor wanted 10 he polite to the
farmer. but when he remembered that the queS-
ton which the farmer asked was the very cues
ton which The Tribune had been melting
farmers everywhere to ask the Governor
"notience broke down." The Tribune had pub
lished articles about the conduct Of the War
Department and about Senator Platt's manage.
ment of the Republican organization in this
State and the Governor was so enraged over
them that when he began to talk about the
10 10 of no twisted
and slapped Truth in the face while trying to
give The Tribune 4 Touchdown blow.
Governor Roosevelt may or may not be en-
tirely pleased with the position The Tribune has
taken on various state and National questions.
He IS a straightforward independent thinker,
and he NAV very likely differ from us on many
things We do not respect him the less for that.
1t might even he true. as "The Mail and EX-
press" suggests. that he was angry over some
thing we had though II is The Mail and
Express" which seems to be most angry and
anxious to drag the Governor into partnership
with It's pettiness and malice. But II the Gov
ernor was angry. even justly angry, for any
reason. at The Tribune. we do not see what that
had to do with his saying that his counsel found
the charges against the canal officials 10 be "ln-
famous lies and SANDERS" when their report
said they found prima facie case Of crime
which could not be prosecuted simply because
Of the Statute Of Limitations. We do not under
stand what the Governors feelings toward The
Tribune or anybody else have to do with the
question Of simple fact Has "The Mail and
Express" adopted the tactics Of the French gen
erals, who cannot prove their case. but shout
that they are patriots and hate Jews: Does IT
mean to say. Eve cannot show that the Gov
"ernors statement was true. but we and-we
hope-the Governor are mad NJ The Tribune?
The Tribune has criticised the Governor, but
II never said anything so mean about him rs
that Fortunately he is not responsible for the
folly of his advocate.