New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-28
IS IT ANOTHER BLUNDERP

A story has been published that the Repub-
lican managers in this State, who have so
wretchedlv nlismanaged the campaign thus tar,
have i'm reserve a gigantic deal with railway
managers. which was not to be made known
until lust before the election, and which was
expected to secure to the Republican state
ticket 10000 Democratic votes. The story
does not vet come before the public in such
detail or upon such authority that it would be
entitled to serious consideration by any one,
had the management Of the campaign in other
respects bcrn in harmony with Republican
nsages or the convictions OF Republican 'ot-
ers. Whatever probability it has, this story
derives from the fact that the conduct OF the
party has been strangely regardless of Repub-
lican opinion. scornfully Indifferent 70 political
duties and decencIcs. aud cminenty calcu-
lated to secure tie defeat of the ticket If its
success is to depend upon the free and fair
Judgment of the voters Of the State. For the
managers have done much to ailrOnt public
opinion and have neglected even the most
ordinary efforts to convince or persuade it. If
they are not relying upon the success of some
extraordinary job their folly is simply mex
plcable.
It's naturally suspected that the alleged
bargain with railroad managers must refer to
the free canal amendment of the constitution.
That the railroads desire the defeat of this
amendment there is no room to doubt. Their
Jealous labor in some parts of the State, and
their liberal distribution of printed matter
intended to bring about that result, have not
surprised anybody. The companies usually
work vigorously when their pCcuniary inter
ests are at stake, and are not in the habit Of
considering first exclusively whether n
measure proposed would serve the interests Of
the people. That they leave the people to find
out if they can. Both parties, in their plat
forms, have avoided taking position for or
against the canal amendment. The Republi-
can platform aGirms that changes in the fun
"damental law should not ordinarily be the sub
"iect of party action and urges the people
without reference to party to examine with
intelligent care the constitutional amend
mcnts submitted to them, and to give full cx
preston at the polls to their judgment and
wishes thereon" This position, formally taken
by the party platform, neither the managers
nor the candidates can alter without bad
faith to their supporters. The Democratic
platform, in the same spirit "approves the
submission to the people of the constitutional
amendment in favor of free canals" and de
clares full confidence that they will dispose
of it in such manner as to promote all the
great interests of the State. agricultural, man
"ufacturing and commercial" This platform.
also distinctly refuses to commit the party
for or against the amendment But it is i'm
agincd that pledges can be given by the Re-
nublican managers or candidates which will
induce the railroads to transfer to them II
large Tote otherwise Democratic.
Bargains of this kind are poor reliance
Anart from their intrinsic dishonesty, they
can meyer be concealed, and are apt when dis
closed TO hurt more than they help. The
neonle who make trade always magnify sew
oral times the number of votes that they really
can control. On the other hand, patty mana
GERS always underrate the resentment OF the
neople who find that, after pledging itself to be
neutral in a matter affecting their interests,
the marty hos been secretly sold to those who
ore hostile TO those interests. The State Con-
vention did not Judge it safe or expedient TO
commit the Republican party for or against the
believing that either course was
likely TO lose AS much as ii wonld gain. II that
WAS true as to an open and formal commit
ment il is certain that secret bargain would
lose more than it would gain. Just resentment
at such trick would influence thousands who
would otherwise bo Indifferent in regard to tho
Many other citizens. who are nat
urally inclined to oppose the amendment