New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-10
nlnxxRrNoE BRrKEEN PART1Es.

ballot, reform receives Republ ican votes and
Democratic vetoes in New-York as well as in
Nay-Jsrsey. The fidelity of Republican repre-
sentstiyes in the Legislature does not surprise
any one. WhyP Because behind all the chat
and the false pretences Of partisan discussion
men Of both parties have been aware that the
Republican party, voters and leaders alike mas
been anxious to prevent or restrain as far as
practicable bribery and fraud at elections. 10
does not matter whether all have acted rom
the same motive Granted, IL anybody pleases
that with multitude Of honest men who want
purer elections there are some politicians VINO
believe that in this State less bribery and less
fraud win make fewer Democratic victories
Whatever the motive, in individual cases, the
fact is that the Republican party as BODY DC
sires and votes for the measure which mas eiSe-
where been found most effective TO secure pure
elections.
Nor win anybody be surprised that the Dem
ocrats vote against such measure, or rely
upon q veto from the Governor to defeat H.
For once more, behind oil ohaff and false pre-
+ tences there is clear understanding among
men Of both parties that the Democratic Or
SANITATION, as q body, must Of necessity stop
that reform If II can. This does not mean that
all Democrats want dishonest elections. There
| are well meaning men Of that party, no douoh
who will confess that they do not quite see why
| their representatives in the Legislature or the
Governor should "put the party in false
position" by opposing such measure, or VINO
fancy that there must be something in the OBJ
| iections to il because Democrats urge them, or
who persuade themselves that there Is " just az
npch fraud on one side as on the other" But
| the Democratic leaders have some motive, 1t is
perfectly we'll known, which makes them OPP
pose ballot reform. And 1t is equally well
known that a great many Democratic voters
| care 30 much for party and so little for any
thing else, that they are willing to see the re-
| form defeated. because privately convinced
| that their leaders know what will hurt their
| party.
II can hardly be denied that this is fair
statement of the situation, as men OF ordinary
intelligence In both parties understand it. The
defeat of ballot reform by Democratic oppose
ton would be regarded by ninety-n men
out Of hundred as q matter Of course LEI
| do the ninety mine men ont Of hundred realize
| what that means? Do they appreciate the fact
| that. in the estimation Of DemociSts and ne
| publicans alike, the Democratic party Is uylnB
to keep itself in power by crimes against SELF
eoyernmentp Or will sensible men admit the
other inevitable inference, that the Republican
party desires to succeed and believes that IL
| can succeed by honest means only
A hundred years ago, when this Government
| was founded with patriotic devotion and self
sacrifice, and cemented with the bleed OF
heroes. would party have been tolerated which
| openly endeayored 10 secure success by robbins
the people Of their right Of self-goyernment 2
Would the Revolutionary heroes and states
men, whose names in the coming celebration
will be spoken with reverence by men Of oil
narties, have desired TO be commemorated or
honored by any set Of men who would rely upon
corruption or crime for political success
Would they not have felt that it would be an
insult TO their memories to be honored by per-
sons so false to the Republic