New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-11
NO PUTTING IN 4 HOLE At ALBANf.

A Republican Legislature is about TO assemble
in Albany. after an interval of three years our
ing which the Democracy of this State has
made an Odous record. The people who ut the
last election, gave mandate 10 the KepuD-
lican party TO uphold the common honor ana
to provide for the common welfare were not
all Republicans. If Republican voters had not
had unaccustomed allies in the campaign and
at the polls, they would not have secured the
honorable and Oncrous opportunity which now
cOnfronts their party. The Democratic machine
had so intrcnchcd itself in power ny ulscl1ipu-
lOus and defiant processes that It's organized
adversares alone could not have dislodgcd il
at a single stroke. 1t was through union OF
Republican voters, faithful rs always TO their
political as well as their moral convictions. and
Democratic voters whom the sins of their party
leaders had shamcd and affrontcd. that the re-
suit in which all good citizens rejoice was &C.
complished.
1t is true that complete legislative power has
been intrusted to Republicans as Republicans.
and not as non-partisans. They are authorized
and expected to proceed along Republican lines
but at the same time they are bound TO execute
the commission which they bave received in the
interest of all the people. This Is no time for
tricky enterprises or peanut politics in any
form Above all. Republican legislators have
no warrant and would have no excuse for
manoeuvres designed to put Governor Flower
in hole" If WISE straightforward, disinter-
ested measures for the promotion of the com
mon honor and advantage should encounter his
opposition he would have 10 bear the reSpon-
sibility. Embarrassment or hostility on his
part due to any crooked course or shabby
action on the part of Republicans would dis
credit them at least much as him. If any
one of the majority in either house feels such
an inclination or cherishes such Il purpose, he
must be made to understand at the outset that
he will get no cOuntcnancc or support from MS
associates or from the voters whose commission
he holds If any SHARES are 10 be set they
must be set by Democrats. No Republican who
is fit to help in carrying forward the work in
trusted under peculiar circumstances 10 this
Legislature can think of going into the petty
business Of digging pitfalls.
That work is the work of giving the state
an honest, efficient and economical government
this year. and Of establishing conditions which
will promote that sort Of government hereafter.
The people have not constructed Il long pro-
crammc for the coming session, but they have
Enthusiastically decrecd that the spirit which
controlled the last election shall be expressed
in few great measures. II the Legislature
understands and desires to obey its instructions.
II will respond to the resolve that elections shall
be honest by dividing the inspectors equally
between the two parties in every voting dis
trict of the Staie by establishing the blanket
ballot and otherwise revising the law in such Il
manner as TO guarantee absolute independence
to every voter; by putting the popular demand
for non-partisan police boards into an enact
ment which Tammany will be unable to over
ride or circumvent, and, in accordance with the
same principle. by stripping Boards OF Excise
of their power TO WELD the saloons, through
tyranny or corruption, in the interest Of any
party.
If The Republican lawmakers shall embody in
these few measures the instructions Of that
composite majority Of good citizens who sent
them to Albany at the same time transacting
the current business Of the State with sagacity
and prudence, they will do no more and no less
than their plain duty. The obligation Is i'm
perative the opportunity Is complete, and the
reward Of fidelity will be ample and enduring.