New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-16
THE TWO LEADING Reform MEASURES

As the time approaches for the convenng oil
the Legislature of this State there Is re-
awakening OF public interest in the wv" great
reform measures which will be brought before
that body. Both measures are essentially non
nartisan. Both are designed to promote the
welfare not OF any political organization nor Oh
anv class in the community Their sole aim Is
n nromote the common wcal-thc one by plac-
ing wholesale restraints upon the liquor ''"no'
the other by Kidding our elections OF the gross
abuses which tend to deprive them Oh uheir s,S-
pifcance. But although high license ana OaiioV
reform are thus seen TO be n0n-partlSan' they
have still come to be regarded as Republican
measures. Why? Simply because Democratic
ue.,,uosor+at; ves in the Senate and Assembly,
with q Democratic Governor as their ieader'
have steadily opposed them Their course IN SO
doing. il NAV be added, would excite more
an,azement if the history of American pohucs
had not established the fact that the Delnocrauo
partv has fatal facility for getting on the
wrong side of vital issues.
Il is Ct course impossible to determine as yet
what tbe Governor and the minority lawmakers
will do in 1890. The importantly OF pubic
sentiment possibly may induce them to support
one or both of these bills. still, considering
how heavy is the mortgage which the saloons
have on the Democracy, 1t is hardy pfopape
that David B. Hill will suffer High License
bill of any sort to reach the Statute-booKs. WIZ
a baIlot-reform bill fare any better at his
hands? Well. he has recently stated in effect
that he will veto any measure when provides
for on exclusive official ballot; ana since an eX-
elusive official ballot is held by the Republicans
IN he an essential element Of genuine ballot re-
form. he has onh to stand by what he has said
IN nreyent the Saxton bill Of 1890 from bcc0m-
ing q law. But whatever the Governor or the
minority nav do the duty Of the majority in
the next Legislature is clear. Without any I'M
necessary delay they must pass the best high
license bill and the best ballot-Ieform Dill
which their assembled wisdom and experience
can devise. They owe it TO themselves, to the
cause of progressive Republicansm, and above
all, to the great body of the people OF this lead
ing commonwealth, t. enact such measures. ii
the Governor chooses to bring their excellent,
patriotic labors to naught with his veto, that IS
his lookout, not theirs. They must leglSale
with an eye single to their oath OF oiflce-t0
their own conception Of their own responsibility
The recent report aud resolution on high
license adopted by the Union League Club, and
| he interview with Mr.. SaXtOn and other proml-
nent Republicans on ballot reform, which have
lately been published in these columns, reflect
the sentiments of practically the entire party.
The Repubcanism Of the hour in this State is
fighting fer the homes as they are threatened
BY the saloons. for the ballOtbox as ii is threat
ened by the bosses. 1t is a good fight and
sooner or later is bound TO be a winning one
The longer the success Of the two bills is de-
ayed the worse it will be for the general wei
fare Realizing this our friends at Albany
doubtless will make any reasonable concessions,
with view of obtaining Democratic support
and avoiding the Governors veto. But they
can be depended upon to yield nothing which
they believe to be essential, no matter what
may be the result.