The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-04
John Cunneen Of Buffalo.

The name Of the present Attorney
General should accompany the names of
D. CApY HERRIcK and FRANCIS BURTON
HARRISON on the split ticket voted by
all citizens who desire to continue the
Republican Administration at Washing
ton and at the same time to redeem this
State from the unspeakable disgrace
and inestimable dangers of Odellism.
A correspondent asks about others Of
the minor State officers to be voted for
AS the campaign proceeds, our fellow
citizens will be in better position to
decide how far the split ticket ought to
20 in order to effect the main purpose
We are likely to obtain further informa-
ton on the subject.
As to Mr.. CUNNEEN, however there is
no longer any doubt He belongs on
the Citizens Ticket. He is a necessary
agent of the reform to be accomplished.
He proved his trustworthiness by his
vigorous attempt to defeat the fraudu-
lent claim Of Mr.. E. H HARRIMANs Fur
naceville Iron Company year ago last
July. He has proved his trustworth-
luCbE III OtllCl ways ultIB lIlc
when he has stood as a minority of one
in relation to the Odell Canal Board
He proved it again last Thursday at the
meeting Of the board to provide for the
form Of contracts in the case Of the first
eight or ten millions Of expenditure OF
the So, 100000. Attorney-Ge General Gun
NEEN was only partly successful in his
efforts to establish in the public interest
additional safeguards against the de-
vices of Graft. That he succeeded even
partially is much to his credit under
the circumstances. We observe. by the
way, that the Hon. FRANK WAYLAND
HIGGINS. the leading member Of the
Odell Canal Board, was absent from
this important meeting.
Here and there we hear the only crit
icism Of the Attorney Generals course
that seems to merit an instant's atten-
tion. 1t is said that he waited too long;
that he should have made his public
protest and exposure when he first dis
covered officially what Odellism meant
in the Canal Board and elsewhere, instead
of postponing the same until political
campaign had begun.
We suppose Mr.. CUNNEEN's choice Of
the proper time for demonstration
against Odellism will be judged by the
rules of common sense and the ordinary
principles of human nature. A year
ago he might have appealed to unrecep-
tive or Indifferent ears. Public opinion
had not begun to appreciate the situation
at Albany. No election offering chance
Of reform was then impending. His
statements would have been regarded by
many well meaning persons as those of a
mere minority kicker" For an effective
stroke in behalf of honest government
he needed the conditions that have not
existed until now, namely. an aroused
public sentiment and a voting day near
in the future. 1t appears to us that he
has chosen his time with precision.
Such a public servant as Mr.. CUNNEEN,
quick and clear in his perceptions. able
and resolute in the performance of his
duty and absolutely unterrified in the
presence Of Odellism, is, as we have said,
IN indispensable factor in the overthrow
OF the Grocery. Anti-Odell Republicans
can vote with good conscience to keep
him In Office. There is no party disloy-
atty in wishing more power to JOHN Gun
EERN's honest elbow.