New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-25
TIE REFORM BILLS.

Both the Ballot Reform and Excise Comms'
sion bills have been made specia' oroer' ioi
to-da in the Senate in the order named. IL
is to be hoped that both may be passed ana
sent Ia the Governor. There could be no bet
tor contribution to the coming celebration OF
the Centennial than the passage OF these two
measures. framed IN the interest of good morals
and certain 10 rebound to the advantage Oh the
people of the whole State.
Fortunately, there is no need to urge favor
able action upon the Balot-Reform bill upon
any member Of the majority in the Senate.
There is no wavering at any point in the Re-
publican line upon this measure. The general
sentiment OF the party throughout the State
snstains it, and not single vote is counted
against it from among the majority. in either
house 1t is but natural to suppose that this is
because the Republican party is opposed to the
practices at which the Ballot Reform bill is
aimed. 1t is equally reasonable to suppose that
the attitude Of the mass Of the Democratic men,
berS means that the Democratic politicians.
especially those controlling the great organiza-
tons in this city, are anxious not to be deprived
of the opportunity to continue those practices,
because they profit by them. The view pre-
walls in one or two newspaper offices in this
region that the Republicans favor ballot re-
form because they are corrupt, and that the
Democrats oppose it because they are honest :;
but to persons whose minds are not wholly dis
located this view will seem strained not to
say forced.
The situation regarding the Excise Commits
sion bill is somewhat different. The opinion
Of certain localities in the State is believed to
be so unfavorable to high license that the solid
ity of the Republican vote is affected, and it
has been a question whether the further in
roads of death and sickness might not deprive
the Republicans of majority on this issue.
Lately the hopes of the friends of the bill have
grown brighter and there seems to be reason
to expect that the line may be steadied and the
bill passed. No Republican having the interest
of the party at heart can fail to see the neceS-
sity. even from party point of view merely,
Of dealing squarely with the temperance ques-
zion. This fall, not only the entire body Of
State officers below the Lieutenant Governor,
but also the entire Legislature, are to be elect
ed The record of the Senate as body, and
Of individual Senator's, for the last two years
will be passed upon. There will be general
review of the records made by both parties,
and upon no question will they be more crit
ically scanned than upon that of the regulation
of the liquor traffic. Popular interest in the
temperance question seems to be steadily in
creasng. In three New England States cleo
tons have been held recently turning on this
issue. Pennsylvania, another neighbOr State,
votes within few weeks.
There has not been in many years a time
when so much thought was being bestowed
upon this subject, and for the Republican party
of New-York, which up to this day has made
so clean and strong record, to fall short now,
would be misfortune not only to the cause.
but to the party, for they are bound up to-
gether. Every Republican member of the Sen
ate should consider the effect of his action upon
the fortunes of the organization 10 which he
has given his adhesion For two years now
the Republicans have passed High License bills
without being intimidated by the prospect Of
veto. There is still the same possibility be-
fore them. but to allow themselves to be dis
couraged by it now would be to surrender all
the ground they have gained. Whether they
can make the bill law or not. it is their duty
to show that they are ready to do so. If they
succeed only in putting Governor Hill on record
again as tool of the saloonkeepers they will
arouse a still stronger sentiment on the side Of
temperance reform and hasten the day Of its
triumph.