New-York tribune., 1904-09-25
CUYgEEy AND CORRUPTION.

IL the Democrats really believed there was
any basis of fact for their campaign outcry
about corruption in the State government
would they praise as an alert and incorupt-
BILE officer one of the close associates of the
Governor in the conduct Of the State admins
tratiOn and give him a unanimous rerOmna-
ton: That is exactly what they have done.
and in doing it they admit the emptiness Of
their charges or confess their own utter I'M
WOrthiness Of trust.
Two years ago the Democrats secured the
most important Office in the State for intimate
association with the workings of administra-
ton and the detection of wrongdOing. They
have since had possession OF the legal depart
ment of the State government which is not
only empowered but required to see that the
other departments are lawfully and honestly
conducted. To IT the other departments look
for legal advice, which they are bound TO fol-
low So important did the Democrats consider
this outpost in the domain of Republican adj
ministraton. so sure were they that the Re
publicans would be panicstricken to find q
Democratic Attorney General nosing about
their offices and unearthing their alleged cor
ruption, that they freely predicted attempts to
deprive Mr. Cunneen Of the chance TO perform
his proper functions. They were certain that
Governor Odell unwilling to have Democrat
prying into administrative secrets. would avail
himself of his legal right to a special personal
counsel who would In all delicate matters prac-
tically act as the Attorney General leaZing to
Mr. Cunneen the mere routine Of his office. So
little had Governor Odell to conceal, however,
that he refused to appoint a personal counsel
and told Attorney General Cunneen that, re-
gardless OF political differences, he should rely
on the Attorney General elected by the people
for guidance in the conduct of the government
ffwasA 4lTfaIV nj 81
ton. but even in the more intimate matters OF
advice as 10 the legal aspect of legislation For
two years Mr. Cunneen has been the confden-
tial legal adviser OF Governor Odell, with full
knowledge of his methods and actions, and, be-
sides, he has had independent access TO the rec
ords of every department Of the State govern
ment II he knew of any wrongdoing' he was
in duty bound TO proceed against II, or, II II
was something which, while not legally action
able should be exposed to public disapproVai'
10 expose it. Yet he has gone on working IN
perfect harmony with his Republican col
leagues Indeed. some Democratic papers have
not SCRUBBED 10 denounce him as a partner OF
Governor OdelTs wickednesS, since they We're
bound to paint dark picture OF the Governor,
and could not get away from the fact that the
Attorney General was in the same boat. If
Mr.. Cunneen was good. then the Governor who
took his advice and enjoyed his confidence
could not be so bad But the Governor must
be made bad so the Attorney Generals repu-
tation, too, must be sacrificed.
Yet the Democrats wanted 10 nominate Mr..
Cunneen for Judge OF the Court OF Appeals, and
when they found that impOlitic they told what
good Attorney General he had been, how
fearless and incorruptible, and renominated
him 10 investigate and punish the corruption
which they so freely charge in their platform
corruption which if it exists at all, this same
Mr.. Cunneen must know far more about than
the platform makers, but OF which. singularly
enough he has been entirely tolerant notwith-
standing his official duty TO expose and punish
/ IT, Either Attorney General Cunneen is not
worthy OF the reelection which Democrats ask
/ for him. or their charges against the admins
| tration with which he has been associated are
reckless and untrue.