New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-01
AN EYBTByTTON OF "HONOR,-

Those who were looking for interesting reve-
lations from His Honor the Mayor yesterday
lad no reason to be disappointed. 1t Is true.
His Honor did not take the stand before Justice
Gaynor and tell how much Ice Trust stock he
owned if any, or what he knew about Mr..
Croker's avowed policy Of using the city govern
ment for private gain being applied specifically
to the sale and distribution Of ice. He did not
explain his recent visit to the Maine icehouses
or his relations with the president of the Ice
Trust. He did not clear himself of the charge
of committing a misdemeanor by being while
public officer interested in the lease Of city
property His Honor was content to remain
some days longer apparently the more the bet
ter-under the weight of the unpleasant imputa-
tons which have been rife about him In the last
few weeks Nevertheless his appearance was
not without interest and value.
1t was, for instance, highly instructive to see
the Mayor of this city. who accepted office
under the city charter, appealing to the Court
to save him from giving account of his
stewardship the ground that the section of
the charter made to allow the people knowledge
Of the dOings of their servants was unconstitu-
tional. The charter was constitutional enough
in all its parts for Mr.. Van Wyck to be glad to
rule the city under it and promise on his honor
to execute its provisions faithfully, but when
be asked to tell bow he is performing his trust
he says it is entirely unconstitutional and, be-
sides, the questions might tend to criminate
him; and the charter offers His Honor no ade-
Quate guarantee against being sent to prison al
a result Of what he might be compelled to tell.
We have frequently seen murderers and thieves
pleading that constitutional guarantees pro-
tected them from punishment for their crimes
but 1t is something for the honorable chief
officer of one of the greatest cities of the world
TO plead that the Constitution protects him
from the desire of the people for knowledge of
the relations between his private business and
bis official action.
The incident is worthy Of some study and
reflection. 1t marks clearly the transformation
of ideas about official honor. We have no dis
position TO make general accusation the ground
for condemnation. The Mayor and his friends
are entitled to the full benefit of doubt about
the character Of their friendship for the Ice
Trust. But, every body knows the whole Ice
Trust business looks suspicious and definite in
cidents before the public inevitably raise ques-
tons about the aid which the city officials have
given this corporation and the possible financial
interest of themselves and their political friends
IN It. There was q time In this city when any
Mayor or department chief under such suspicion
would have come forward speedily, thrown talk
VI cIilulllduhg nlmselr TO the Winds ScOrned to
| set up technical barriers between himself and
| questions concerning his honor, and shown to
the world that the thought of his using his polit
1cal power as an instrument of private financial
gain either for himself or his supporters was
| preposterous. But that is not the code of honor
prevailing in political organization whose chief
avows that he uses his leadership and control of
| the city officers for his own pocket "all the
| time" All that honor now requires Of Mayor
faced by the charge Of some questionable trans
| action Is to say: You can't make me answer
| Your proceedings unconstitutional And
besides, you've no right to try to make me
| terminate myself"
| An appearance In court which results in such
revelation is by no means waste of time and
effort 1t shows that the man was not entirely
wrong, from the Tammany point Of view, who
said: AN honest citizen is one who succeeds
| In keeping out of Jail"