The record-union., 1894-01-27
Times IN new YORK.
Prospect of a Healthy Increase in
Business Soon.
something About the Reform Move
ments and the Work the Poll
ticiaus Have in Hand.

Especial Correspondence RECoRD-UNIoN.l
NEW YORK, Jan. 21.-With all the
activity of politics in this State and the
ieaden dullness of business, there are
more tangible indications of industrial
and financial than of political improve
ment and progress. The little hoped of
the commercial situation may soon be re-
allzed, with an added surprise, but the
great expectations founded on reform ag-
ltation seem very unlikely, at this stage.
OF coming true. For so far as politics is
concerned, while the agitation for change
is unabated, it has taken disappointing
direction, aud if the reformers fail it will
be their own fault.
Their success in the fall election, as was
shown in previous letter, WAS due in
large part to the great number of votes
cast independent of party feeling. Post
election utterances and agitation prom
ised further increases, because so many
men seemed to have taken the stand that
they could make their influence effective
by remaining between the two parties
and, by voted rebuke or approval raise
standards and public conduct slowly but
surely TO almost any elevation. But it was
not long before the itch for party infiu-
ence, for an active share in the policy of
the parties, gave new turn to things,
and this turn is headed now straight back
to the old standpoint.
The Republicans had the Legislature
and the Democrats were unsettled by de-
feat. Had the men of both these parties
who brought about this change stayed out
OF politics dor which they are united, as
it seemS), and made unmistakable their
determination to require certain acts from
OF second reversal at the next election,
in case OF disappointment, l think their
men could have got what they wanted,
aud would have found their simplest and
best, ii not their only, possible junction
III politicS-that OF free and decisive choice
sbetWeen parties.
" But after the elections the Republican
reformers returned into their party and
demanded part of the power. They set
about altering the machine. They tormu-
lated principles. outlined an organization
and. under the lead OF Cornelius n. Bliss,
ordered the old leaders 10 come to them
and adopt their scheme. 1t was
good one, no doubt, and the men who
formulated it were prompted by the very
highest OF patriotic and partisan motives.
Moreover, they are men who have been
Republicans so long (for generations) and
SO well that they had rights" in their
party. Unfortunately their rights are
only aDSLrdct, SOunu III JuSIic0 DuI not
found in practice.
The old control is strong. Followers,
unfailing in obedience, are not inclined,
are not built mentally and morally, to
inquire what part the 'better element in
the party had in putting them in power.
They have the power anu they prefer to
obey the men who make most Immediate
use of that power.
In the Legislature there is going on a
bitter fight between the two kinds OF Re-
puDllcanS. 1t Is not over yet, but the
men with whom | have talked about il
say that no further results are to be ex-
pected. All that the reform or Bliss
group got was change in the constitu-
ton of couple of committees. w hat
they were after was the passage of bills
really perfectlng the ballot law, truly i'm
proving the Police Board and actually in
suring municipal government freed from
State control, and, most important of all,
the appointment of a committee to inves-
tgate abuses in New \ 1ork city which il
should thoroughly investigate.
1t were well for the Republican party
in city, State and natlon-if these men
could succeed. For, as elections of
the last three years must prove to far
seeing men that there is an enormous
shifting vote which tries to 60 with hon.
est party management and honest prin-
ciples In this State The Republican party
IL
leaders would recognize the force of it.
But Thomas L. Platt and his lieutenants
aim only at getting all they can out OF the
one success, and they actually openly
count on failure at the next election.
They go still further-they contribute to
it. And when [ say this l am drawing a
conclusion from the statements of the Re-
publicans and Democrats who are the in
dependents and who do the shifting.
The same spirit is manifested in the
Democratic party. The Independents of
that party likewise feel some proprietary
rights in their own and their fathers
party. That is natural enough. But
Tammany rules the bulk of their party
and their efforts to organize Democratic
party-the State Democracy-goes not be-
yond themselves. The General Commit
tee is the complete list of the new party.
Meanwhile the position and the public
faith in the independents, who are show
ing themselves impractical, sorehead
partisans. dwindles into absurdity. and
the man who looks around for signs of
advancement has to find it in unusual
and unpromising fields. For surely bus
mess is an unpromising field for the op-
timist.
OF outspoken optimism there is, indeed,
absolutely none. 1t would still be i'm
possible TO find any conservative business
man who would say that times are get
ting better Nevertheless such men are
in better mood. They nave inward II
not external light. l heard a group of
bankers and commission brokers laugh
heartily in chorus on the corner of Mas
sau and Wall streets Friday afternoon,
and L thought that laugh ought to be tel
egraphed all over the country. But 1t is
wiser to wait for actual investments be-
fore saying the end is come. AS yet there
have been very few, even on the stock
market, where foresight is most keen and
hara oil trading is antlClDatOrV.
But the bears are covering their
"shorts,r and the "bulls' have plenty of
capital to draw on for loans at low rates
of interest. The prompt subscriptions
for the bond issue here and the formation
of foreign syndicate to make large
part of the loan. with the probability OF a
realization OF good price by the Govern
ment, has encouraged everybody. 1t IS
useless, however, TO try TO attribute to
this or to any legislation probable, the
coming resumption of business activity.
The indications l have to point out to-
day bear no relation whatever TO these
things. They are deeper in the body OF
society.
First of all, is the interest taken in re-
organization plans. Bankers who are re-
habilitating wrecked railroads are get
ting the support of capitalists, and are
confident of success. Akin to that is the