New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-16
THB Reform SP4sR IN JERsEY CITY.

Itwould be hard to conceive Of amOTe dseouFaGfng
enterprise than an attempt to purify the Democratic
party from the inside, or from any other side
for that matter, and Hudson County, N. j.,
Is about rs measly and unpromisIng field
for such an experiment ~ could well be selected
And yet il is she Democracy of jersey City which
is now manifesting symptoms OF what may develop
into an attack of intestine reform of the most
violent and volcanic type. The discOn-
tent has already organized itself into
Central COMMITTEES of Safety with an associate
council in each ward, and sub-cOuncl in each
polling precinct IL has attracted almost everything
that is respectable in the party, and Oficered by
men of character and standing. It's object as adj
yertised is neither to help nor TO barn
any individual, but in n promIScuously be-
nignant way to tone up the party TO concert
pitch to bring good men" to the front aud gener-
ally TO inaugural small but premature slice Of the
millennium in politics. But somehow il has occurred
To Mr. Patrick LaveTty that the aim OF the Reform
ers is not so difse aud scattering as is claimed in
their published manifesto. Mr.. Laverty's intellect
has Leen invaded by a shTewd suspicion that
good men to the front means Laverty 20 the
rear and this is not the end Of the column
which has attractions for Mr.. Laverty. That era
dite and accomplished gentleman having garnered
all tho profits of tho most productive Offices in
the county is not inclined to rest from
his laboIs Not backward are his glances bent, but
forward 10 the House of Representatives. And now
that Mr. HardenbeTgh is out of the way, he is mar
shalling the boys" with refreshed hope, and he
doesn't hesitate TO speak in terms of dersion Of tho
"silk-stockinged gentry" and their impractical
theories.
Now, Mr.. Laverty. in spite Of his confidence, may
find himself submerged in the coming convention.
As officially organized, the Democracy of Hudson
"A. ~.
District, is mainly imported and totally depraYed,
and its exuberant dabOlism has generated a vol
urne Of feeling among the better elements of the
party, which it may be difficult to suppress bot
tie up. But after ALL these epileptic fits Of reform
hayerarely proved dangerous. Every now and again
the stomaehs Of few virtuOus Democrats become
thoroughly soured with fermentIng disgust be-
cause the bottom OF their party persists in getting
on the top, and they take solemn oath TO turn
things UPSIDE down. But they don't do it.
The trouble seems TO be that the Demo-
cratic party is pretty much all bottom. and if
the top nbindependence enough 20 set up for it.
self it craws in wherever it can find place, which
is usually pretty low down. This particular reform
movement in Jersey City is hsble 10 come to I'M
timely end, either because there isn't enough of it
or because there Is a good deal too much. There is
no lack of honest intention or Of pluck in some OF
hearted and feeble-kneed and it may happen
that whom they como into actual and open collision
with the machine forces their hearts viii melt
within them. they will become grasshOpperS be-
foro the boys" and vote with the utmost doeility
for Mr. Layerty, or one of his kind. On the other
hand, if tho reform gathers weight and volume, and
goes forward with anything like prosperous
momentum, there may Do o Pentecostal revival
within the party. In all probability the iucorrigibe
will suddenly find it profitable to DO con-
vered in sufficient numbers to get possession of the
movement themselves, and ride on il INTO tue offices
rs usual that the last state Of that district will
be worse than the first. The Reformers certainly de-
serve sympathy even although they fail TO inspire
anybody with great amount of confidence.
II this district Is represented by o worthy
man in tho next Congress, and If the
city and county placed under the
rule OF less rapacIous breed Of statesmen, the
Reformors will be fairly entitled to tho credit OF
this result. If, on the contrary, matters political
continue to conduct themselves after the old sort,
or groWSa little worse, will be disappointed,
for this would only add another to the long list of
failures which have been achieved by we-meanng
gentlemen who have endeavored to become success
full Reformers aud remain orthodox Democrats at