New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-30

IHB ELhAALEb4LLE hEJAA ~ AD-Rs
The piece de resistance Of the Democratic State
campaign has been the Furnaceville lion Com.
pany and the payment Of its claim for Aardpan
excavation. notwithstanding Mr. Cunneen and
the testimony Of his laborers. some Of whom ac-
mittedly did not know hardpan, that there was
no hardpan there All the other statements wh ch
have been circulated in an effort TO bolster up
the wild charges Of Republican corruption have
been too petty and too ridiculous to have any
serious influence transaction Ike the Fur
naceville contract with its technical engineer
ing features lent itself peculiarly 10 the misrep
reservations Of Mr.. Cunneen aud other Demo-
cratic orators. and il has been used with the
utmost diligence IN efforts to prejudice and mis-
lead voters. and doubtless with some effect.
Any charge uttered emphatically and persist
emily enough viii work injury beyond the power
q any refutation. however complete, entirely
70 Offset. So for lack Of anything else effective,
tbe outery about Furnaceville has been pushed
10 the extreme. If the Furnaceyille charge goes
70 pieces, the general Indictment for corruption.
Of which that is the only seriously prosecuted
count. falls with IL. The accusers are seen u
be mere politicians trying 10 climb into office by
The aid Of false charges against their opponents.
The Furnaceville charge has gone 10 pieces.
After making much OF II for weeks as an argu-
nent against Mr.. Higgins. The New-York
Ilnnes then and still steadfas: supporter Of
yuoee HerricE. has been led 10 examine thor.
0ughly into the matter. snd il now retracts what
II has said in support OF the charges withdraws
al criticism Of III. Higgins in connection with
Iaem and pays generous tribute 10 the pro-
prleTy and honesty Of his conduct This highly
creoltabe course OF The Tines must mari,
the end Of the Furuaceville scandal No Dem
ocFauc campaiPner henceforth can have tho a.
fronieTy to presume on popular ignorance Of
his Democratic Reputation OF the charge ..The
Times" says:
through denomination OF the evidence and
The aScertstlnmeut OF facts not previously lrno,-
20 H. The Times" reaches the conclusion MAJ
Lieutenant Governor Higgins. the present ~
plDucen candidate tor Governor must be sc-
4ustted OF the charges brought against hin, ir
connection with his vote IN the Canal Board
Cpon me contract with the Furnace1ilIe Iron
company The Times is now convinced tbsf
Iehe charges are not well founded and IN ius-
zee 10 AT. Higgins IL takes this occasion to saw
tsat me evidence does not warrant the belief
that his motives were other Than honest ana
quite compatible with a right view of nufIic
duty The fact that The Times" opnosss NJ
hleeinss candidacy and sincerely desires his
osieat MAKES ~ Tie more willing % withdraw
KID abandon this baseless accusation.
The Times" then reviews the history Of the
contract points out that when the bardpan was
discovered a supplementary contract was made
Tor us removal on April % 1898: thar an fba
mai settlement, about i've years later. half =
oozen witnesses, Including the States own enei-
neefs, testified TO the bardpan encountered ana
= The fact that after excavation and exDosn,o
y olslntegrateo rapidly On the other side were
mr. Cnnneens witnesses, who said they saw no
hardpan. After this hearing Mr. Cunneen alone
voted against the settlement under the contract
The comment q "A Democratic lawyer Of bicb
s1anoang on THIS vote as quoted By .'The
Tines" is as follows:
4 was Al Issue Of fact on which hath .ta..
ohtIeQ testimony. and The testimony OF The
eontEactoEs Witnesses was accepted a., tbo
goets. NO one can say seriously that on he
ptslnapny recorded IN the stencgra pher'g MIN
1Lee me preponceFonoe Of proof was so plafrIv
- favor OF The State that the decision In favor
. the contractors indicates OF suggests dis
- -, -, =. eeIsiessness' or bad faith OF any
me board. S'''S u
A~ Independent inquiry The Times" has sat,