The sun., 1893-07-08
Tho Republican Programme.

Tho New York Republicans who have
been casting about dcsolatey for taking
issue for this years uphill campaign, think
that at last they have found one. They are
going in for home rule. They are going to
train their guns upon the victorious De-
mocracy, and tho cannon will boom and
the musketry fire will rattle when the
strife begins. The determination to make
their fight on this issue is due. primarily.
to the fact that the Democrats have de-
prived them OF all other issues. It is due,
in subsidiary way. to the expectation that
there may be some break by which the Re-
publicans will profit in Buffalo and Albany.
between the regular organization Of Demo-
Gratis and those who were arrayed against
1t last spring.
Beggars must not be choosers. the homely
adage tells us: drowning persons do not
reject invidiously spars which float near
them because a lfeboat would be safer and
more desirable. For the purposes OF their
1893 campaign in New York State. home
rule may be as good an issue as any other
for any party organization here but the
Republicans SO long as they were able
though in voting minority. to hold
possession Of the Legislature by the
Ubiquitous holdover apportlonment. they
crushed out the lawful rights Of cities
with a heavy and ruthless hand. They de-
priyed the residents Of Democratic cities
OF control over their own affairs, and, as
far as possible, OF the right to choose their
own officials. They ignored all demands
for heedful legislation. Since. with q new
apportionment. the Legislature passed into
Democratic hands. and Republican hopes.
for probably many years to come. were
dashed to the ground, they have deter
mined to go In for home rule. and are
shouting aloud for plenty of it. Un-
fortunately for them. however. the
conditions are not propitious. The mu-
inequalities which 30 long demanded
home rule from the Republicans were
Democratic. and the denial OF it was sub
stantial injustice. which was annually re-
sented at the polls. Now these municipali-
ties are still Democratic. and by even
greater maiorltes than formerly, and
they have nothing to complain OF at tho
hands OF n Legislature controlled by their
own party. Satisfied with two successive
Democratic Legislatures. they have no wish
to return to the Republican rule. So much
for the cities. which at the present time
cast majority of the votes in the State.
The country districts. where tho Repub-
licans still predominate. now have home
rule and have always had It.. They have
nothing to gain from such agitation. Prob
ably. too. 1t would lose the Republicans
some votes. for the bucolic electors In the
backwoods and at the crossroads, have
been told for thirty years by Republican
orators to regard the big cities as the abid-
ing places Of all manner OF political in
iquity and corruption. and II the Republi-
cans are going In to fight the battles OF these
cities. they will not be followed by the full
strength OF their old guard. The FAssETr
campaign gave them foretaste OF this
profound truth
Republicans OF New York clamoring for
home rule would present a diverting spec
tacle. No one would wish to lose any OF the
fun. 1t would be at high-water mark until
the campaign closed. Such q canvass would
be ropugnant to Republican ideas, for that
party Is. conspicuously and essentially. the
party OF Capitalization and OF paternalism.
whereas the Democracy Is. and always has
been since the days OF THOMAS JEFFERSON.
the home rule party. OF equal rights under
the Constitution. Such Is. indeed. the radical
difference between the two parties; and for
the Republicans OF New York to attempt to
take up the Democratic side. would be to
sacrifice whatever strength there may be
In their own position. and to invite con-
fusion upon their candidates and followers.
But the Democrats don't dare. Let the New
York Republicans go In for home rule. They
will aid In prolonging the era OF good feeling.
with the Democrats in and the Republicans
out; with the Democrats up and the Re- :