New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-27
A TALK WITH GENERAL KERWIN.
THE REPUBLICAN LEADER OF THE XXVIlITH
ASSEMBLY DISTRICT DISCUSSES THE
SITUATION

THE REPUBLICAN LEADER OF THE NANilIIH
ASSEMBLY DISTRICT DISCUSSES THE
SITUATION
In discussing the local political situation. Cen
eral Michael Kerwln. leader OF the Republican
organization of the XXVIIIth Assembly District.
said yesterday:
The action Of the Republican organization OF the
XXVIIIth Assembly District in discovering Itself
from the old machine and in refusing to identify
itself with the scheme OF reorganization form
ulated by few ambitious members OF the
Union League club needs no explanation or
defence In the case OF any man conversant with
The candidates Of the party in this city during re-
cent years The Republican organization had ut
tery failed to represent the party. and had de-
servedly lost the confidence OF the great majority
Of Republican voters. The people at last demanded
a change. and they will not be satisfied with any
thing short OF thorough reorganization OF the
party-a reorganization entirely free from the old
machine methods and influences. Now. do they get
this Ia the QuixOtic scheme Of the Union League
club theorists? These gentlemen have been EN-
phatic in their condemnation Of the old machine
leaders but show at once their own inconsistency
and their helplessness as practical politicians by
invoking the aid and counsel OF these same leaders,
who fast becoming dominant factors In the
Bliss movement But whether the Union League
gentlemen the old machine leaders associated
with them controlled the organization. the result
Of the party. The leadership OF the former would
be rightly regarded as a scheme TO control voters
by the power OF money; the supremacy Of the lat
ter would simply involve a return the old order
of things. Il IS hard TO say which alternative s
the worse
"Of the Union League Club of the past, whose
services to the country Is a matter of history we
desire speak only in terms OF admiration but
the Union League Club OF the present, which Is
living the prestige Of the patriotic men who
founded the organization. has given no warrant or
justification for the assumption OF leadership in the
Republican party Even in the way in which 1t
might have aided the party IT has been con-
sricuousy lacking Fortunately. however. the
power OF money is not the most essential Influence
in politics This was clearly demonstrated in the
election the other day in the XVIII Congress
District The Union League club gent emen on
the people showed that they could get along
without the aid Of this cotere which now
publican party in this county. IN me late 'on-
,gr" 'sional election in the NINth District. Mi
Quigg's candidacy. indeed, 50 far from being sup
ported by the Union L"aguers was coNeItIy OPP
posed by them as had been his nomination. more
openly in the convention. Bat the people were be
hind Mr. Ouicg and his triumphant election fol-
ready to relegatr thu control Of the organization to
dced too respectable to even take the trouble
to register and vote.
SO much for the men and the motives behind
the Bliss scheme Of Republican rtorsanI1tion
or III" scheme itself little need no" be SAD. It's
Inconsistencies and contradictions and its i'm
prdC'ic. b.!i'N hlv" already been demons rated
the satisfaction OF every man who knows
ANYTHING of practical politics. That is why the
NNVGIth District severed It's connection with he
old county Committee and readily gave ita adj
ton or. as IL IS 10 be- the Regular Republican
organization OF the city and County of New-fork