New-York tribune., 1908-11-01
Comparison of Our Stand
ard with Europe's as
Shown by the Pend
ing Campaign.
rcopyright. 1905 by the brentwood company.J

downright 1905 by the Brentwood Conpeny.]
Though the Presidential campaign now draw
ing TO a close and which will reach its climax
on Tuesday next has been signalEed by an
altogether exceptional amount Of publication OF
CONFIDENTIAL correspondence, laying bare transac-
tions Of the most compromising character, yet 1t
is a remarkable fact that none of the revela-
tions have imputed dissipation in the private
lives of the men now occupying positions before
the footlights Of the political stage Dishonesty In
commercial transactions, malfeasance in office,
sharp practice and corrupt dealings have all
reen ascribed TO some Of the actors great and
small in the struggle being brought to a
conclusion and IN most instances these accusa-
tions have been backed up by documents, but IN
no single instance has there been any suggestion
of profigacy or of domestic scandal If there
had heen any grounds no matter how trivial.
for insinuations of this nature. they would GER
taiply have been put forward, for the contest
has been marked by intensity of bitterness
ouite beyond that OF Presidential elections in
late wears. and under the circumstances one IS
led TO the conclusion that there has been most
praiseworthy change in the standards Of conduct
Of public men, and that dissipation has come TO
he regarded as al insuperable bar, not only to
office, but also TO any kind Of success in the po-
ltical arena
In every instance the home associations Of the
leading participants in the present electoral con-
hict have been free from reproach and even
their shortcomings in other respects have been
atoned in a measure by sobrety and by devotion
to family ties and obligations. Now. Just be-
cause a man IS not a drunkard, and shows him
self a good husband, father, son and brother, as
the case may be, it does not necessarily follow
that he is incapable Of n1alfeasance IN office and
OF political or commercial dishonesty. Still, ct
the same time the influence Of a good home and
Of respectable family ties IS Of very wholesome
character, and cannot fail to prove more and
more productive of excellent results as the time
goes by while the very fact that dissipation and
immorality in private life fatal TO political
preferment indicates marked Improvement in
stead of the frequently alleged deterioration. in
the standard of public life on this side of the
Atlantic.
Formerly things were very different In this re-
spect Hard drinking was considered as indis-
pensable TO good craftsmanship in municipal
state and national affairs. and II is on official
record that the treaty negotiated by the late
Earl OF Elgin IN behalf Of England, and which
was distinctly disadvantageous to this country.
was "foated through the Senate" at washing
ton on "a sea Of champagne" Moreover, TO
have wrecked friends home by eloping with
his wife was considered rather feather in the
cap than a stigma, while the neglect and even
desertion Of ones own wife and children were
regarded as Of no account.
IL cannot be denied that a widespread impress
sion prevails In this country, and especially
abroad, that the standards OF political life I'm
America are distinctly inferior TO those pre-
vaiIing ia the Old World. American story
writer's and noveists have contributed to this
popular belief, and only a few weeks ago a
weekly newspaper published an interview with
a leader Of New York society of unquestoned
authority and Of vast experience. the sum total