New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-29
BEpUBLICAy KEOgGdAIZATION


The recent reorganization of the Republican
party in this city has been observed, doubtless
by Republicans living in the interior of the
State. Does not that action impress them as
worthy of imtatiOn-and immediately-in
view of the important State election this fall I
We assure them the labor was rewarded.
Recruits were gained by it; hundreds OF Ke-
publ cans hitherto neglected. of practical work
for the Republican party were led to take an
active interest in it. and the party machinery
was much strengthened. One third OF the
Repub can voters of the city are now directly
connected with the Republican organization.
Their work must surely tell at the polls next
fall.
REORGANIZATION here should be followed by
reorg lnizaton in the interior of the State. n"
fact was more obvious after the election last
November than that the Republican defeat was
due largely 10 impelfections in the Republican
party machinery; and especially to imPer-
fections in the interior of the State. The list OF
Republican State candidates was an excellent
one 1t had the support of every Republican,
the newspaper attack upon Mr.. Hill was a
DANA ring one; yet the Democratic ticket was
elected. WhyY The election returns re-
vealeh the weak spot in the Republican lines.
Certain Republican counties had given largely
reduced Republican majorities; and in some
Democratic counties there were Republican
townships which had goDc Democratic for the
first time since 1860. The losses were
sufficient to give Mr.. Hill the State. If the
percentage OF the Republican loss had been the
same in every county 1t could have been SAID
that the defeat in the entire State was due u
q,
however it was evident that there Was some
special weakness in the Republican party's
machinery in the localities where there had
been such political revolution. Investigation
showed that there had been strangely
apathetic management of the party's organiza-
ton in the counties where there we're losses
and that the party machinery in those counties
was in the hands of Republicans holding Unitel
States offices, or Under their control and
inspiration.
II WAS. thea, the Republican crossroads
postmaster, the leading spirit In the Republican
town organization, and his cousin, the Repub-
lican pos raster at the county seat, diret tor Of
| the Republican county committee, who brought
about tie Republican loss. Tney feared re-
moyal as offensive partisans" by Clev Gland If
they should labor to elect liza Davenport; ana
| the Republican party vote WAS permitted 10
fan off. This apathy paralyztd the party
| machinery; it Was not worked effectively
| There was ina,tention to necessary party work
10 the holding Of meetings. To canvassing for
votes, to the circulation of Republican pamph-
let's and newspapers, and to bringing voters 10
the polls on election day. The worst feature OF
this Intentional abstentOn from party work
however, was that it was not u.pecte I-evcn
if it could have been fOreseeD-by the Repub-
lican State Committee until the election
returns We're made. Now that they are aware
of The untrust vorthiness of the party machinery
in many places in the interior, the State Com
mittecinen should take steps at once 10 remedy
the defect by recognizing the party in the
localities affected. Men should be put in
control of the Republican town and county
committees who will not feel embarrassed in
working openly for the Republican ticket. In
every one CT the 1913 Assembly districts there
is to be no. struggle, with the United States
Senatorship as the final party prize. 1t Is not a
veal to labor with crippled party machinery
with some Cf the wheels turning and the Others
mOliOnless.