New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-28
THE KNIFE FOR KNTFERS.

The determination Of a large number Of
prominent and influential Republicans to take
strong measures to stop trading and knitting
in this city is a most encouraging sign. The
TRIBUNE has now presented the views of many
Republicans of high character, who are univer-
sally known as Woodworking, practical party
men, and they speak with one voice. They
do not exaggerate the need of prompt and de-
cisive action. The practice of selling out which
is carried on by some of the petty bosses is
bad enough in its immediate effects, but its
remote consequences are even more injurious.
1t is bad enough to have a Republican district
leader selling out the candidates for Governor
and for Congress, because we need every Re-
publican vote in this city, where vast mass Of
ignorant corrupt and degraded voters always
stand solidly arrayed against the party. But
the Generalization in the party at large, the
uncertainty whether candidates will receive
loyal support in this city, the weakening Of
party featy, which result from these periodical
treasons, are even more serious consequences.
There seems to be only one way of roofing
out this evil. Republicans will not submit TO
boss rule. There is Gar in Tammany Hall
and another Car in the County Democracy
but there is none in the Republican party.
When Democrat proves himself a traitor to
his organization, the autOcrat, whoever he may
happen to be, turns him out neck and heels,
and there is an end of it. But the Republican
party is governed by system in accordance
with its principles which gives each district
the right to control its own affairs, and thus
it is that a treacherous leader like John J.
OBren, having a firm hold on the machinery
of his district is able to re-elect his bench
men, if not himself to the County Com
mttee after each expulsion, and that body can
not reject them without inconsistency. 1t
seems to us that the true method of dealing
with the difficulty is that suggested by Cor
nelius n. Bliss, Mr.. Howe and others-namely,
to disfranchse the entire district. Then what
ever trading and knitting OBrien might do he
could do only On the basis of his personal in
huence. lie would have no standing as Re-
publican, and no authority from the central
organization as capital to work with. But
it would not be necessary to give up the dis
trict to the enemy. 1t would be entirely feas-
ible for the County Committee to appoint a
force Of Republicans of known loyalty to man
the polling places in the district, and to secure
them adequate police protection. The result
would be that the party would retain all of the
vote not under O'Brien's immediate control,
and the fact that he had been driven out
Of the organization would certainly weaken
his hold upon his followers In the end
he would probably be forced over
TO the ranks of the Democracy, where men of
his class properly belong, and it would be safe,
when the district had been recognized in fact
and not alone in name, to bring it back in full
fellowship with the county organization. Even
II OBrien and men like him were able to carry
on as many Republican votes after they had
ocen turned out as before, the party would
still be relieved Of the odium of their treachery
and Republicans elsewhere, both in the State
and throughout the Union would know what
they had to count upon in this city.
we hope the County Committee will take
the matter up promptly and deal with il Justly,
but without fear or favor. We don't like to