New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-11
THE PHILADELPHIA PL1N

II is now generally understood that the special
committee appointed TO consider plans for re-
organizing the Republican party Of this county
has decided In favor of what is generally known
as the Philadelphia method Of organization. and
will make Il unanimous report in favor OF lis
immediate adoption here.
The Philadelphia plan is so called becaus" "
is supposed TO have originated with the Rcpnb-
leans Of the Pennsylvania metropolis. The
supposition Is Incorrect The party leaders IN
the Quaker City have carried II ont with som"
degree of success. bnt lis discovery
does not belong 10 them. Just who does
deserve the credit for its invention would
be about as difficult 10 ascertain ~ 10 deter
mine who first suggested representative gov
eminent The idea Is anything but new. IL
has been in operation in this and other cities
from time 10 time for half century. When the
County Democracy started. about dozen years
ago il was the distinctive characteristic of that
bodys organiZafion and continued To he
throughout the cvcntful existence Of that IA
nous opponent Of the Wigwam. 1t is hardly nee
essary. therefore. TO 90 to Philadelphia 10 study
the practical workings Of the proposed scheme;
they are familiar 10 every one conversant with
the history OF the Counties
As M present constituted the Republican or
ganization here, like Tamnany Hall. takes the
Assembly district as its basis OF operation. ana
works downward and upward from II; down
ward through the election precinct captains
and upward 10 the County and Executive com
mittecs through the delegates 10 those bodies.
The philadelphia plan begins with the election
precincts or voting divisions. and regards these
as the basis and source Of all primary action
The voters in each precinct meet ut stated
time and form local associations. These local
associations elect delegates directly 10 all nom
mating conventions. Two members are elected
10 represent the precinct in what Is known as
the Ward or Assembly District Executive Com
mittec. From this committee one member Is
chosen 10 represent the ward in the central
body. known the Campaign Committee. and
in this body IL lodged the supreme power Of the
entire organization. Theoretically. the Phila-
dclphia plan is more in Keeping with the spirit
Of a democratic form Of government than the
one employed here nj present but experience
in this city was not very favorable 10 1t. The
County Democracy tried most perssicntly TO
| carry il ont. but as 10 preventing bosses and
rings or checking close corporation tendencies
II did not succeed In autocratic way and
absolute disregard Of healthy public sentiment
the County Democracy surpassed Tammany,
and in consequence fell from power Seven
years ago 1t was in control Of the municipal
| government to-day it Is merely Il name in
politics.
| The idea that all the voters In any election
precinct would come together 10 form and
maintain local association was not realized.
| The reason is obvious. In n great cosmopolitan
| city like NcwYolk few voters in an election
| precinct the boundaries Of which are liable 10
be changed every year by the Police Commits
sloncrs know one another 1t is difficult to get
them together. The becrslop is about the only
public place Of meeting and the better class
Of good citizens do not care 10 meet there.
As political gatherings at private houses are
seldom desired, thc result followed that the
entire work was left to the frequcnters Of the
saloons. and TO the men who are in politics for
, years before the County Democracy passed
away, It's organization in most Of the election
precincts was n sham. Instead of genuine local
association in each precinct. the actual work was
confined to Il few hcclcrs. who knew no law but
the word Of the bosses. The experience OF the
County Democracy Is said to have been repeated
in Philadelphia. and faithful members Of the
, party there, men who are not associated with
the ring. are by no means enthusiastic over the
state Of the organization in that city. We do
not assume from this, however. that the plan
may not be successfully employed here by the
Republican party; the failure of the County
ncnocrocy does not DrOyp that orr ucOpln
would not succeed with II. We SIM
ply indicate some Of the practical difficulties
in the way Of its successful operation, with a
view to having these covered, and urge the