New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-12
rR0rRLE InONG TIE REFORNERS.


The latest phase of the Democratic movement
for reform by disintegration is the enforced
withdrawal of that well-knOwn re1Ormer, Mr..
Simon Stcrnc, from the new concern. MI.
Stclne was one Of the most active and prOml-
ncnt movers in the business from the start
He is a gentleman who takes to reforms as
duck does to water. No political reform has
been acitated for several years in which he has
not BONE a prominent part. One reason toI his
remaining in the Democratic party, we pre-
sumo. is because that organization presents
such a promising field for his peculiar work.
Very Likely he WAS the inventor OF the present
enterprise. At any tate, lie was one. of the
earliest to join it, and 10 one labored harder
than he to give length to the preambIes and
sonor0usness to the resolutions that attended
It's birth. Ills immediate connection was with
the Young MEMS Democratic Club though he
WIS undoubtedly willing TO take hand IL the
Hotel Brunswick movement ana either OF both
Of the Irving Hall reforms, AMI assist in Iunnlng
them all. The difficulty OF being present in
s-yrIal places al the same time was probably
thc only Thing that prevented him. II was ut
tic ins.igatjon of the Young Mems Club that he
was announced rs one Of the speakers IT the
Cooper institute mass-mcciiug and his namc
was proposed as one of the Yicc-Pre ldcnts and
u meul er OF The Committee of Fifty.
lut Dr. seems that Nj. Stcrne is rather too
much of q rclormer. lie hos COMMITTED HIM
self to so many reforms t.at the reolgaUlzcrs
amt di-iu."-ra.ois VINO don't want to reform
to much, but only just enough TO KEEP the
part, 90 power, viewed him with suspicion. lie
had ,xrl. +-cI himself "a IN favor, among a vast
y,uid limit suffrage. Now If there is anything
tat excitrs wrath and indignation IN the
Democratic mud. 10 IT, tIc suggestion of llmit,-
tons OF anv sort upoa tac most llcc and coplous
u-a of tte ballot. That everybody shoIld vote
ST lca.t once. and Democratic workers a~ many
Tunes as they lile is fundamental principle
o. Democracy. So MI Simon Ntcruc's record
ou u,- subject came ny IN Judgment AGAINST
l-m. 9.d opposition was made 20 lis appoint
mprt 20, Nire-Frc-ldrnt or on the Con mittre,
OF to lis being permitted t1 address tic meet
NJ. ili. name even was received with Kisses
ard ho Vas not invited 10 SIT Hlth the rest Of
thr Nadr1, rctormcrs on thc Platform. II was
salG th.U his appearance might cmbalrJsS the
movement, and he WAS consequently snubb"d.
Naturally M. St.ruc complained Jhat he had
been treated with di-c1utc-y by the Com
mi'tcc, lis namc having been withdrawn hy
them after he had been announced az one OF the
speakers OF the evening. He published h.s COM
I,lint, and gave notice that he would not be
responsible tor the further proceedings Of tho
rrrrcauizers and their Committee of Fifty.
The Conmittcc have now published an answer
t. his complaint, in which they intimate chat
Nr. >tcrne has only himself 20 blame that he
Lmsch perceived that his presence was an en-
larIa>>mrnt 10 the great reform, and volun-
tlilly took himself ont OF the way.
Between HIM and the Committee the charge
OF lack of courage is banded freely. and the
pubic s looked To to decide between them
whether Mr. StcIuc WA afraid to put bis popu-
larlty 10 test before the audience, or the
Committee were afraid his unpupularty would
embarra,s the great reform Aud 50 the move
nltnt to reunite the party by organizing another
faction begins, Curi0uSly enough with another
The Committee Of Fifty repre-
sent as one Of the chief beauties OF their enter
pIse that there are no leaders in it," its OBJ
icct being 81 To give the Democratic masses Of
" this city the opportunity, which they have 20
" long lacked, of selecting their own leaders
and OF rejecting those IN HON they have no
" faith.' And it seems to he working very much
as any movement might be expected to that
has no leaders," We shall be disappointed if
Mr.. Sterne does not presently start u new re-
fora.