New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-19
MORE INSIDE REFORM.

There was time, not so long ago but that
many of our Democratic friends can doubtless
distinctly remember it, when the supporters OF
President Grants Administration found it
necessary to urge upon Republicans who were
dissatisfied with the methods and practices in
vogue, the great need of reforming the party
from the inside, and not allowing their disafftc-
ton to take them over to the ranks of the opposi-
ton. Perhaps our Democratic friends, many OF
whom we believe were sincerely in favor of the
several reforms advocated by the lndepen-
dent and Liberal Republicans, will remember
how they secuted the idea of party reform
ing itself in the manner proposed, as i'll the
highest degree absurd and visionary. 1t seemed
30 to great many Independent voters and
Republicans, who in their Impotence at the
slow progress, or lack of progress, i'll the re-
form direction by the party in power, adopt
ed what seemed to them the most practical
course, and for two or three years either held
aoOf from voting. or voted the Demo-
cratic ticket. As the representative of thOus-
ands of Republicans who, hopeless of improve
ment under existing conditions took this course.
TIE TRIBUNE speaks from experience and
with knowledge. These independent voters
practical results of their action. They have
seen partial Democratic success in a Demo-
cratic majority in one branch of the Congress.
and have had the opportunity for Judging
what may be expected from that party's pro-
LESSONS of reform; and they have seen as well
the good effect of the discipline of defeat up
Oh the Republicans. 1t was absurd to expect
the desired reforms from a party firmly fixed
in Office, and strong III the country i'll spite Of
its blunders aud faults. One thing only WAS
more absurd, and that was to hope for any
thing better, OF so good, from the Democracy.
The event showed that. The other result of
this action of independent voters has been to
discipline the Republican party, and force it
into the support of genuine and practical re-
forms.
so much has been accomplished in the past
four or five years. and THE TRIBUNE reviews
the period with satisfaction. But another
party is now devoting its energies to ralyng
stragglers, and holding together its uneasy ad-
herents under the cry of " Reform from the
inside" Even in the temporary and partial
successes, and the brief exercise of power
which the Democratic party has already en-
ioyed, it has so far disclosed its Bourbon ten
denotes, its nsincerity weakness and wicked
ness, that honest and reputable men who have
always acted with it are turning away from it
in disgust. And the same men who laughed at
the idea of reforming the Republican party from
the inside. are now loud III their assertions
that the only direct road to political reform is
through the Democratic party, and the only
way to reform that party is from the inside.
Mr.. John Kelly, the present Boss" we are
told. is gradually but surely reforming Tam
many and through Tammany the Democratic
party, and through the party the City and
State Governments. 1t is queer method he
takes, to be sure, to carry forward his reforms.
lie has already reformed out of office, or out