New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-04
LAST GAIL.

II Is not probable that the final appeals
which it is customary 10 issue on the morn
ing Of Election Day in all the keys from
solemn 10 frantic will change many votes
Citizens who are resolved to go TO the polls
but haven't yet decided how they will mark
the ballot when they are alone in the booth
with their Creator and black lead pencil are
not numerous enough 10 be worthy or atten-
ton now But the disparity between the vote
and the registration is always TOO large 10 ne
accounted for by accidental causes 1t Is a
fact that many persons who have quallhed
neglect TO perform the duty of helping to de-
termine how and by whom public affairs shall
be managed Again. il seems fair 10 divide
such persons into two classes, those who are
deliberately and perhaps contemptuously de-
linouent and those whose delinquency is pas
sive rather than active To attempt to reason
with the former at the last moment would
presumably be A complete waste Of time but
we feel inclined TO say 3 few words 10 the
latter
They probably belong to the great majority
Of citizens made up Of both Democrats and
Republicans who, ever since Mr.. Odells first
eventful message to the legislature let In
food of light and air upon the general business
OF the State have been saying that he is, on
the whole the best Governor New-York has
had for many years. being thoroughly in
formed. keen. alert. resolute and faithful with
more than ordinary executive capacity They
may have thought that in one or two instances
his Judgment erred, but they have committed
themselves repeatedly and contentedly TO the
statement that his administration is creditaole
to himself and highly useful to the people
Nor do we suppose that they have lately
formed set opinion TO the contrary. If their
ba-- hat USf
be. in most cases. because they have become
so much accustomed TO a continuous perform
ance Of his duty by the Governor that their
own lazy habit Of Indifference has overcome
them again The fault is theirs. not his. He
has done nothing TO forfeit the esteem which
they were sincerely protesting a little while
ago.
The Democratic campaign has supplied
ample proof of this. Apart from Hills malig-
nant defamation il has been confined TO a
repetition of womout pleas and pledges. JET
ferson has figured as usual, in spite Of an anti
State rights platform at winch his soul would
have reyolted. In silly accordance with ira
dltions. the old cry OF Republican profigacy
and incompetence has been raised against an
administration which has rooted out ancient
abuses. set a high standard Of economical eff
ficiency and brought State taxes down almost
to the vanishing point The proposition that
the people need and crave a return 10 Demo
cratic principles has been proclaimed as
solemnly as if the orators had known what
they meant-Or rather, perhaps, as If the peO-
pie hadn't known. 1t merely comes to this
that the outs want TO get In. and particularly
that Hill burns 10 regain a personal ascen-
dency in the State which will make him
formidable throughout the country.
One thing is certain this morning namely
that Republican victory would be declared
tonight II all the citizens qualified TO vote
should go to the polls. The only hope the
Democratic party has is in the possibility that
a multitude Of voters who think that Mr.
Odell is an excellent Governor will not take
the trouble to put their opinion III the ballot
boxes. 1t is mean and feeble hope