New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-03
PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICANS.

PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICANS.
The Republican conference at Philadelphia
which adjourned Monday night was an I'M
doubted success. 1t smoothed the way to party
harmony. and made discordant action in the
next campaign much less probable than 1t was
when the conference opened. OF course great
deal depends upon the convention which meets
next Wednesday. If that body adopts the
platform agreed upon by the conference the
Independents will have gained all they have
been fighting for. Even if the ticket nomi-
mated this year does not suit them entirely, they
will have little cause for complaint. ne
future will he theirs 1t was great step I'D
advance for the party managers to admit as
they did in the adoption of the resolutions pre-
scented by the independents that there Is need
foI a change in party methods In the light OF
recent appointments at Washington, Senator
Cameron's representatives Mt the conference
must have felt the peril of the present situation
sensibly in order to be willing to vote for reso-
lutions declaring that they unequivocally
"condemn the use of patronage to promote
apersonal political ends" and that competent
and faithful officers should not be removed
"except for cause"
We observe that all the Democratic journals
are convinced that the conference was fail
ure. that Senator Cameron is only triiiing with
the Independents, and that the State Conyen-
ton will not adopt the resolutions recommended
TO it, Their observations represent their hopes
rather than their judgments. The outcome of
the conference has been a great disappoint-
ment to them quarrel with two tickets in
the field would give them a chance for success
A. 10, boH fnr
many years. 1t may be that the convention
will give them that chance yet, but we do not
anticipate any such action as will make two
tickets probable. There is no denial or con-
cealment of the fact that the convention VIII
represent Mr. Cameron as accurately as his
committee did in the recent conference. III he
wishes the convention to accept the resolutions
recommended by the conference they will be
accepted If he wishes them rejected the con-
yention will reject them. We can see nothing
for him to gain by trifing with the lndepen-
dents. There is only a week between the con-
ference and the convention, and there can be
no possible advantage gained by HIM by yield
ing in the former ground which he intends TO
take back in the latter. To do that would be
TO needlessly exasperate the Independents and
give them fresh excuse for revolt. He is too
sagacious q leader to commit a blunder like
that
1t is argued by some of the Independents
that Mr.. Cameron is only pretending to yield
in order to gain time; that he is anxious now
TO save his State ticket and that after he has
carried his point he will pay no regard to the
promises of the convention. This seems to us a
superficial view. Putting the question of Mr..
Cameron's sincerity aside it must be apparent
to everybody that if the convention adopts the
principles accepted by the conference the
whole party will bind itself to new policy,
and Mr.. Cameron, with all his power, will
scarcely be able to compel it to break its
pledge. The resolutions call for plan for
holding State Conventions which will make
future packing of those gatherings impossible,
and if the convention adopts that plan Mr..
Cameron cannot override it. That will be
victory enough for the Independents this year.
1t will be more than they can gain by running
ticket of their own and subjecting the party
to risk of defeat. The wisdom of staying in
the party and fighting for reform there must
be apparent to the most belligerent of them
now. They are vastly better of than they
were before the conference met. They have
obtained concessions which sooner or later
must lead to others. The justice of their cause,
as well as the strength of their forces, has been
recognized. The regular leaders cannot with
draw their concessions without greatly
strengthening the revolt. We do not believe
they will attempt to do so But whate yer the
course of the convention next week, the indie
pendents have nothing to do but stay in the
party and blde their time. If they do that, they
will inevitably control the party within few
years. If they go out, they will discover that
the party will 90 on without them.