The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-21
her "Reform'' Movement-Ths
Gathering or the Saints.

Gathering or the Saints.
We have received circular from several
respectable gentlemen who propose to hold
a convention for the purpose Of organizing
the republican party against corruption"
The names signed to this circular are among
the best Of orr citizens. 1t is impossible
not to view with respect any communication
coming from Carl Schurz, Theodore d.
woolsey, A. H. Bullock and William Cullen
Bryant.
We have movement of this kind every
year or two. Somehow it never comes to
ANYTHING. A few names of eminent men are
signed to "a call" the meeting is held,
speeches are made, and the affair passes into
the hands of professional politicians. This
was the case with 1.-THE Citizens Associa.
tion," which fourished in the days of Tweed
Peter Cooper's honored name was signed tc
the multitude Of addresses of the association
as president" A list of worthy citizens
was published from day to day as ''mem-
bers." But the whole machine was captured
by Sweeny, the working members were
showed into offices and allowed
share of the plumber. and the con-
Germ went to pieces. Mr.. Cooper and
his distinguished colleagues had too
much to do to watch the Association" and
the underlings ran it as o tender to Tam
many Hall and ran it for a couple of years
before it was discovered to be mask for
Tweedism. So with the independent re-
publican movement which began under
the auspices of some Of those who sign this
circular. It opened with the fairest prom
Uses, and proposed to ''reform the country"
but it had not fairly embarked before some
Of the loudest voiced leaders went back to
Grant, and the movement, with few excep.
tions, fell into the hands of disreputable
political adventures.
We fear it must be said Of our saints
in politics that they are ready enough
to set movements" on foot, but they do
not follow them up. No political party
ever succeeded without votes, and votes
are cast in this country not by respec-
liability but by numbers When dozen
saints assemble in hotel parlor a. resolve
that they are the real saints, thai govern
ment should be reformed, and that the
only way to reform it is to put them all
in Office, they forget that there are sew
eral hundred thousands outside who also
like Office and who know now to arrange
primaries and see that the machine" is in
order. If the saints could only vote therhs
selves into Office there would be no trouble.
But when we talk to the rank and fla
Of parties about Adams and Schurz and Bry-
ant, the rank and file answer promptly,
"All right but what is to become On
us? What are we to do? We need o1s
little places just as much as Schurz and
Bullock. If we don't vote for places what do
we vote for? We are willing to have things
reformed, but we want the government to
give us salaries while we are reforming, just
as it does to the saints.
This view of reform is low and coarse.
we are afraid; but what are we to do about
it? The facts are geological in their vastnesl
and immovability. Third party moves
ments ore intrigues and come to no good,
mainly because the men who take charge OF
them aim only for Offices for themselves ana
select circle Of friends. They propose
party in which they shall have all the Offices
and the people do all the voting. The best
way to reform politics is to educate the
people, punish corruption, organize reform
movements in every township and Assembly
district, and see that the minor municipal
elections are swayed by the best influences.
Political reform should begin in the town.
ship. No mere man can reform the politics
of this country without reforming the whole
rank and file of each party. Therefore,
while we respect the motives of the worthy
gentlemen who propose this new reform
movement" we see no way in which we can
encourage them. The lines are drawn fol
this fight They are republican and demo
cratic. There is no middle ground, and any
movement in that direction is an intrigue.