New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-23
BACK IN THE FOLD AGAIN.
THE THIRD PARTY TOO MUCH FOR HIM.

WHO WILL SUPPORT HARRISON AND MORTON.
William Z. Crooks lives at No. 33 Carleton
ave-, Jersey City Heights lie is Grand Secretary
of the Order of Good Templars for the State of
New-Jersey and Deputy Right Worthy Grand
Templar He has been, during the last fifteen
years foreman in the tin, iron and steel shops OF
the Pennsylvania Railroad and is popular with
the worlSmcn of whom he has charge lie mas
large influence not only in Jersey City, but also
throughout the entire State. He always hbored
in the interest Of the Republican party until 1884,
In that year change came over him and he threw
the whole weight of his influence in favor Of St
John and the Prohibition party The new recruit
occasioned so much joy among the leaders of that
organization and his accession to their ranks
deemed of so much Importance that they at once
placed his name upon the National ticket as one
of their Presidential electors. He stumpcd the
State for ST. john and with all the zeal of con-
vert worked hard and long during that exciting
canvass TO win votes for his new-found allies. To
him, indeed. may be said TO have been due in
large measure the unexpectedly heavy vote which
was cast In New-Jersey in favor of Prohibition
READY TO ADMIT AN ERROR
Like the sincere and upright citizen that he is,
Mr. Crooks has never been 10th to adIDlt that he
was wrong if occasion demanded such an admls-
sion. The present he deems an opportune time
for such display of courage, and accordingly he
makes bold announcement of the fact, with the
significant addition that during this campaign he
will work might and main for the great party of
progress and thereby help to put New-Jersey in the
Republican column ON November 6. When re-
porter of THE TRIBUNE reached No. 33 Carleton
ave- on Saturday Mr.. Crooks was quietly smoking
o cigar after having returned from his work in
the Pennsylvania shops. Scattered ON the
veranda, where he sat were piles of letters and
papers from the different organizations with which
he is connected.
That's good days mail for workingman,
isit not p he said in answer to the surprised look
of the reporter. well, 1 receive a large cor
rcspondence like that every day; it is sometimes
larger even than that"
AT PEACE WITH HIS CONSCIENCE
is it true, Mr.. Crooks" the reporter began,
that you have quilted the Prohibition party and
are going TO labor this year in the cause of Re-
publicanism ?'
You may write that down as fact he re-
piled; and you may add, too, IL you like, that l
feel quite at peace with my conscience since
made that resolution"
The TRIBUNE is anxious to learn your rea-
for deciding the change
My reasons for adopting the change!" he
echoed. why am only returning to my fathers
house. If you ask me why ever strayed away.
my reply would be that was anxious for change.
l found, however, that the roof of my new home
was full of leaks; in fact, if may use an Irish
bull found the roof wasn't roof at all, or If
there ever was roof, it must have been blown OIL,
for the inmates only enabled to keep up an
appearance of health by budding closely together
In other words found that the Prohibition party
was an utter and complete failure, that it was be-
yond human power ever to realize their dream.
and Of all TINT they labOruC TO smash
the Republican party or failing in this to defeat
that party at all hazards upon all occasions, and
regardless of sacrifice. This was too much for
me-"
" You tried it as experiment."
EXactly-an experiment in the interest OF tenn
perance. But l have been wOfuly deceived.
The experiment has been dismal failure. De
string TO profit by experience, believe now more
firmly than ever believed that whatever of good is
TO be secured either in temperance reform or else;
where but especially in temperance reform, will
best ne secured within, and not without, the party
of Abraham Lincoln. speak of course OF tenn
perance reform National issue. / know that
in this very city at this moment there IS vast
sum OF money being subscribed by our Democratic
friends in the interests Of the saloon; yet the Pro
hibitionsts, with oft-repcated and emphatic as
sertions of sincerity, are not ashamed TO work
State like this tends TO help that party; for have
not the slightest doubt that they guilty of the
sin-and it is a grievOus sin-Of Democratic as
cendancy IN our Commonwealth"
" How do you regard the efforts of the Re-
publican party in the State in the cause Of Tenn
peranee?"
Perfectly satisfactory. During the last State
election some friends of mine who were candidates
for the Legislature stated that they going
to 20 certain things in favor Of temperance. l
said little to them. and they little to me, but
what they did say to the point. They were
elected, and kept their promises. The Republican
\
many friends among their constituents For that
! think they deserve my support and will re-
ceivc it, BY means OF this high license an In
crease from $50 TO $3.50, there has been turned
into the hands of County Treasurer 5000, 200.
Our treasury being thus replenished from that
source, my taxes and other peoples taxes are kept
down."
:. DO the Prohibition party men expect to sue
coed ?'
/ am sure they do not 1 look upon it as a
Democratic movement under another name. The
speech made by the candidate for Vice-President
at the ratification meeting in New York, some
weeks ago, disguised me- Mr. Brooks virtually
said: we do not expect to be elected, but we
do expect to defeat the Republican party
How large will the Prohibition vote be in the
The highest number they polled was 9,720
six months ago. / thought that during this
campaign they would have 20, 600, or about one
third Of the entire vote Since reading the plat |
form of the Republican party, howcver,-whlch |
Is so outspolzen in that great cause which have
at heart that every good cltz t ongnt 70 on DC
or thereabouts will rally TO their standard. |
Without General Fisk, of course they would re- |
ceive some thousands less.
OPPOSING REFORM IN NETWORK.
In all the efforts made by the Republican |
party during the last three years in New-Y FORK |
In the interest of temperance, the Prohibitonists
have opposed them. They opposed the Crosby |
High License bill, and threatened TO Ostracize So
cially as well as politically any who should
vote for it,"
How do you regard the tariff plank in the Pro-
hibtion platform p
= do not like it at all. II savors too much of
free trade for my taste. There are . number OF
members Of our organization who hold the same
opinion of the plltform as do myself. We have
some very strong lodges in the southern section OF
the State, and in and around Trenton workingnen
who are supported largely from the pottery trade.
The tariff ilanlz | know lncsn't nleaSe them: SO |