New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-04
FORCED RETIREMENT.

Surrogate Arnold has resigned his Office. but
not. as his formal notification TO the Secretary
of State declares because Of ill-health.' eX-
cept IN a remote sense. If his health had been
robust and his temper correspondingly bold, he
might conceivaby have preferred to endure to
the end the ordeal which the Assembly COM
mittee had arranged, and in due time to sub
nit 10 the usually slow and uncertain process
Of impeachment; but that possibility does not
make his present explanation valid. The truth
Is he resigned because he knew that the grave
accusations with which the legislative inquiry
was concerned were about 10 be publicly
proved, and that his only hope Of preserving
some measure of reputation and comfort was
in a prompt retirement to private life. The
Assembly committee was already in possession
of overwhelming evidence against him drawn
straight from the records OF his Office which
y large number OF unimpeachable witnesses
were prepared 10 supplement, and his cOndem-
nation was assured His resignation saves the
State great expense and permits an mmedi-
ate reha utilization of his office For this reason
Il is deemed wise and proper TO end the inquiry
now the objects for which IL was ordered hav-
ing been brought within reach. Justice might
possibly have been more completely served
through continuation of the proceedings. but
under the circumstances there will probably he
little or no disposition TO complain because an
Investigation which has swiftly driven an IN
worthy judge from the bench stops there.
Just a week ago we took the liberty of say
ing 10 the special committee of the Assembly
appointed the day before that legislative in
Quires were seldom warmly welcomed. be-
cause in so many cases, even where no SIMS
Ter motive was suspected. they failed TO pro-
duce results commensurate with their cost in
time and money; and in particular we urged
the chairman Mr.. Fallows, who is serving his
first term in public Office. TO make one investi-
cation model. 1t Is not too soon TO say that
this has been done, and that the credit is due
10 him far more than 10 any other individual.
The official scrutiny had only just begun, but
its quick and complete success IS owing 10 the
hard work skilfully carried on IN private by
Mr. Falows during the two months following
the election. His professional experience had
led him TO share the opinion Of many other
lawyers that Surrogate Arnold was. 10 say the
least subordinating his public duties 10 his
private interests. and he resolved 10 ascertain
whether or not that belief was warranted and
demonstrable When the Legislature con-
vened evidence amply sufficient 10 justify and
indeed require an investigation was in his
hands. and his personal assurances convinced
the Governor and the Republican leaders Of
that fact Such was the Well-laid foundation
on which the counsel 10 the committee and
Mr. Fallows's volunteer assistants have been
at work during The last week. That the in
quiry. almost before il HAD begun. has ended
with complete fulflment OF its purpose is
conclusive proof Of thorough preparation for
serious task. So admirable "A performance Of
a aborious public service voluntarily under
taken is not often witnessed.
low conception of official { =