New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-21
UHY NOT 4 SHORT CAMPAIGNf

II is generally agreed among those who are
influential in shaping the party policy that the
Republican State Convention ought not to be
held this wear at too early date. The Demo
Gratis will hold their convention not earlier than
the last week in September, and possibly even
later They have eyinccd decided inclination
of late wears in this city and State for select
ING candidates at the last hour and it will not
he surprising if they do not get together until
the first week in October. 1t is possible, there
fore that Republican nominations may not be
made before that week. They cannot be made
later than October 3 and comply with the law,
which requires that State officers shall be NOM
mated at least twenty five days before election.
Our friends who have been advocating a
long campaign with 50 much earncStnesS
NAV not like this policy. The canvass. they
say. would have ~ be made practically III
three weeks. and three weeks. they hold Is
too short a period 10 place all the issues that
the coming contest involves properly before the
voters of the state. AS we have already re-
marked, there is much 10 be said in support OF
this view. but candor cJmpcIs us to admit that
il is not strongly sustained by the experience
of r cent years. Indeed the experience of re-
cent ycals would tend t. show that the length
of a campaign has little effect upon the result
at the polls 50 far aS regards Republican can
didateS.
Inlss7. for example in obedience 70 a vehe-
ment demand for an carly opening of the cam
paign the Republican state Convention to
select State officers was held on September il
at Slrat Dga \ ticket headed by Frederick d.
Grant was named. and the work of the cam
paicn Wa, begun almost Immediately. The
Democrats were not affected by our alacrlty
They did not meet in convention for a fort
night afterward. September IS but that fact
did not prevent the election of their ticket by
over 1000 plurality Two years later the
Ecpubic1n state Convention was not held
until September -. The Democrats din not
meet until week later. October !. at syria
cuSc. Nevertheless. their candidates were
SWEPT into office BY plurallteS ranging from
10000 I, 1000. In 1891 the cry for az
early convention was raised again The party
managers answered it by directing the con-
vcnton. at which Mr.. FasSctt was nominated
for Governor. &c be held in Rochester on Sep
tpmber o. giving no less than two months for
the distribution Of literature and Speechmak
ing. The Democrats again waited until or
ticket was in the fold. Flower, of course, had
been slated months beforehand but the formal
announcement Of his candidacy not made
until September g. The size Of his majority
is even yet an unpleasant object for Rcpub-
lican contemplation.
Now we shall not say that the result in any
of these campaigns would have been different
had the convention been held earlier or later:
we simply repeat our remark that recent cy-
pcr.enca in this State does not furnish CON
elusive arguments rs 10 the absolute value 10
Republicans of long campaign. Three or
four weeks does seem at first glance short
time in which 10 canvass this great Common
wealth but. after all, will any practical poll
tician deny that as a matter Of fact the rcall,
important labor Of every campaign is per
formed within the fortnight or ten days pre-
ccdng the election? We have tried long cam
paigns year after year Why not make a
change? The conditions are ripe, and, all
things considered "A short, vigorous. aggressive
Republican fight seems to be the logic of the
ION