New-York tribune., 1902-10-29
CLAIMS AND PROSPECTS.

Democratic leaders who were lately promis-
ing TO conduct densely silent campaign are
now indulging in noisy assertions Of Republi-
can dependency and predictions that they are
going to elect a Governor Of New-York without
the slightest difficulty. Doubtless they would
rejoice TO create an impression that the tide has
turned In their favor, for the general growth
of intelligence has not yet reduced the voters
who like to be on the winning side just because
1t is the winning side TO a negligible quantity.
But when they put their hands on the place
where their hearts ought 10 be, and solemnly
declare that they are confident of a sweeping
victory, they invite contemptuous estimate
either Of their morals or their sagacity. The
simple fact is that if they possess enough po-
litical intelligence 10 make their real opinion
valuable they do not privately L '.e any stock
in their own sanguine forecasts
With scarcely an exception spectacle and
influential Democrats have been saying with
perfect frankness ever since the first days of
the present State administration that Mr.. Odell
was an excellent Governor that he had a re-
markably clear understanding Of the public
business, a keen eye for abuses and a practical
capacity for suppressing them. They have
heartily praised his firm resistance 20 pressure
when convinced that he had chosen the right
course, and his equal freedom from pride OF
| opinion when due consideration had led him TO
change an original view. There is almost as
much Democratic Republican testimony TO
the Governors pre-eminent fitness for his place.
| Has anything occurred 10 warrant a revision OF
this generally accepted estimate? The exigen-
cies of a canvass conducted primarily for the
sake of rehabilitating a disTedited boss have
induced Hill to make a revolving exposure Of his
own depraved nature by inventing stupid false
hoods and meanly clinging to them But the
record stands unimpeached
There are those who think that Governor
Odell has made mistakes in dealing with Ger
tain State institutions, but it would be foolish
70 pretend that his course as 10 those matters
has caused more than handful of persons to
doubt his disinterestedness and the general
soundness Of his judgment. Where then is the
army of deserters which Is essential TO a Demo
cratic victory coming from? And by what
means is il 10 be recruited? There has been no
sudden or suddenly discovered BETRAYAL of the
public honor and welfare recurring n reversal
or the settled verdict as 10 the character Of
Governor odell's administration. Nor is there
any sign even Of an unreasonable decline of
personal popularity such as sometimes produces
results which are regretted as soon as they
have been accomplished. When there is a
prevalent feeling that things are going wrong"
uiSCoHlcul Is likely 10 DEMAND q change of
litical conditions merely for the sake of 2
change. At present a cheerful consciousness
exists everywhere that things are going right
Great prosperity is coincident with strict econ
omy in the management OF the business Of the
State and the lightest burden of taxes ever
known. If the coal strike had continued if is
possible that popular displeasure might have
been visited on administration which was
no more responsible for the coal strike than
for the doings Of the Mad Mullah; but through
the unselfsh Intervention of a Republican Presi-
dent, supported so far as circumstances hermit
ted by Republican Governor of New-York the
coal strike has been ended, to the discontinue
or Democratic politicians, who had fondly reck
oned on its lasting until after the election.
Now, as ever, therefore, such faint hopes of
success as Democratic leaders entertain are
based on the possibility of deluding well dis
posed voters Of independent temper into an alu-
ance with the degraded and vicious elements OF
the population, TO whom Hill and Devery are
congenial because they are degraded and vicious.
There is no reason 10 believe that such a COM
binauon can be formed OF sufficient strength 10
oVerturn an honest courageous and efficient
government