New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-17
ORSTzCLES TO REFORM.

Reform in methods OF government mas ever
been more hindered by the impracticaoie iohS
and dopmatism of some of its advocates thah
nv the onnosit;on of all corrupt influences TO-
petber The instincts of the people are right
Their aspirations for better government ART
sincere. But while they are honestly sceking
the surest and best method OF ATTAINING ohat
and certain professional reformers rush TO the
front with all the conceit Of people who think
themselves insured and infallible. They know
all about II, and there Is not the slightest pos
sibility that they can be mistaken. ANY man
who doubts whether measure may practically
work as they expect they instantly denounoe as
n villa corruptionist. Assuming that. they only,
and those who blindly follow them, have purity
of purpose or wisdom of Judgment they disgust
everybody else with the proposed plan OF re-
form as with themselves.
II illustrations are wanted, many can be
found in recent experience. Ballot reform has
been sincerely desired by great majority OF
voters. Realization Of actual evils has been
supplemented by exaggerated notions. RE
tended reformers, beaten in National OF local
elections, and unwilling to confess that people
were disguised with them or their aims, have
clamored that q vast host of voters were infiu-
enced by corruption Stories have even been
circulated that in country towns the bought
votes exceeded the unpurchased and honesp.
Some sincere citizens were imposed upon, and
believed these stories. Others, far more numer-
ous felt that it was a good opportunity to pro-
vide more effective safeguards against cor
ruption which, If grossly exaggerated In 70"
ports, might at all events be increasing.
The Australian method was proposed, and in
some States quickly adopted for trial In others
care was taken, by men whose practical sense
guided genuine zeal for reform to study such
notifications Of the system as seemed likely to
adapt it 10 American needs and to overcome
practical objections arising from our forms OF
govern nrent and the habits Of our people. mus
measures ike the SaNton bill in this state were
matured. But meanwhile the professional re-
formers rushed to the front. More anxious to
make themselves conspicuous than to secure
practical improvement, they began, as usual to
attack the motives Of everybody who en-
deav6red TO weigh different expedients and to
overcome practical difficulties. Tho reformer
was infallibIe, and any bill that he favored must
be perfect, and Governor Buckley was mere
tool Of corruptionists because he did not in
stantly agree as TO details with the all-seeing
and superlatively pure reformer 1t is not
necessary to add that the cause OF ballot reform
has been advanced backward by the popular
disgust naturally excited.
An older illustration, and on wider scale, Is
presented by the behavior of political Prohibi-
tionists They were absolutely certain from
the first that no other method OF dealing with
the liquor question could be honest in motive
or OF practical service. The narrowest bigOtry
in all human history was never more blind to
the teachings Of experience than these zealots,
who have shut their eyes to every unwelcome
fact in the workings Of Prohibition in Maine,
Iowa or Kansas They and they only must be
right they alone were the saints, and all tho
rest were sinners. Dull enough themselves TO
follow leaders who sold them to the Democratic
party, and became nero tools Of the liquor
saloons, some Of these third-party Prohibition
lists came TO hate an honest but practical tenn
perance man more than liquor seller, and
made it their chief end in life to Witty and to
defeat tho only party by which anything has
ever been accomplished for the cause Of tenn
perance.
The result has been high tide OF public dis
gust with Prohibitionists and their favorte
measure. Experience in Kansas and other
States has been carefully considered, and the
public inclines to the conclusion that Prohibi-
ton does not prohibit. Voters by the hundred
thousand, who have voted or would gladly have
voted for Prohibition in different States, have
decided to vote against it, II is their judg'
ment that laws which cannot be enforced bring
all law into contempt, and are the worst pos
sible barrier in the way Of reform. Thus
the present tendency OF public opinion il
is as strongly adverse to political Prohibition
not because desire for genuine temperance re,
| form has at all diminished, but bcrause the
| method of Prohibtionists has come to be dis
trusted and heartily disliked.