New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-13
p,pr,SbySEIp AND ITS EFFECTS.

partisanship against patriotism IS an unfair
race. If one of two parties, Wherever IL mas
power, resorts to every MEANS lalr or UNFAIR
honest or dishonest to increase and perpetuate
that mower but wherever it is In the minority
.nneals with success to the patriotism and gen.
erosity of the other party to refrain from selz-
;nr and keeninp the whole of the power which
re majority could command. the practical re-
suit must be that the principles ana IDEAS Oh
the fairer and more patriotic party VIII De de-
nrived of that share of influence which its pop
Mar support properly deserves. Cheated wher-
ever the other party has power to cheat, de-
nr;ved of free elections wherever that is pos
sibIe its recorded votes can no longer repre-
cont lie actual strength. Crowded out Of every
nlace Of Influence or trust wherever the other
party has the power but adjured in the sacred
name of patriotism to divide the offices, and to
share places of influence and trust as non-par-
tisan wherever the other party Is Deaten, IL
presently finds that every concession is IN effect
n surrender of its chance to promote its prin-
ciples.
Congress has taken up the Elliott-Smalls cleo
ton case after more than two years delay.
Smalls was cheated out Of his seat in Novem-
Der, 1886, and for two years Elliott has exer-
cised stolen power, Democratic majority In
the House giving him seat by refusing to
consider the case of contest until this ume'
Even now it comes before the House with only
"a Democrats voting to consider and 80 voting
not to consider the contest. let In the long
record Of frauds very few have been more ia
grant or shameless than those by which Smalls
was robbed of his seat. In this case vote in
Congress was practically stolen for nearly an
entire Congressional term, in order to make
scanty majority little stronger. Yet when
the Republicans have a majority, they will be
asked in the sacred name Of patriotism, to de-
eide at the earliest possible moment and on
principles Of pure justice every question OF con-
test in which Democrat may hope to gain
seat.
The New-Jersey Legislature has just removed
from Office ON purely partisan grounds, tho
State School Superintendent. This Office has
been one Of those which Republican majorities
in the Legislature have always regarded as non
partisan, and for this and other positions such
majorities have selected men Of either party
on the ground Of fitness only. Accident, liquor
aud corruption have given the Democrats
majority in both houses. At once they turn
out non-partisan officer of superior qualiiica-
lions, for the avowed purpose Of making the
Democratic party stronger. In like manner
the President since his defeat by the people.
has been principally engaged in appointing to
Office all over the country the most effective
Democratic partisans he could find When
Republicans como into power they will be told
that sacred patriotism forbids the removal OF
these partisan officials until their Serms expire
four years hence.
Everybody must realize, If he considers these
things candidIy, that no fair or Just representa-
ton of the political convictions Of the majority
of the people can be secured il intense partisan
ship on one side is met by concession and nom
partisanship in the name of patriotism on the
other. II is the duty of Republicans TO see
that their convictions and principles obtain
their rightful share of influence in public az
fairs. But they are deprived by fraud and
crime Of twenty or thirty seats in Congress
from the South, and by dishonest districting
in Indiana and other States Of dozen more
and yet they are Solemnly informed that they
have no right 10 use as partisans any power
which popular victory gives them. II is not
to be expected nor would it be just that they
suffer Republican principles to be overslaughed
any longer by listening to this deceptive plea
Of non-partisanship.