New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-21
TIE POLITICAL FIELD.


minor issues has obScured the vision and con
fused the ouilook-it is the part OF wisdom to
view carefully the field before and consider
not only the sources of weakness and points of
vantage but the objective of the campaign and
nrccisely what Is involved what we are actually
fighting for 1t may be said that the platform
adopted by the Saratoga Convention defines the
purposes as it sets forth the principles of the
| Marty and reference 70 that Is sufficient an
swer TO the question what we are fighting FOR
In some sense il is: but. admirable as II Is in It's
| arraignment Of Democratic corruption and IN
capacitv in National State and municipal az
fairs and distinct and clear II is in its cnunci-
alton Of Republican principles. II remains To he
said that like all utterances of such character.
IL INDUCES in congratulations. and OmitS To pre-
sent with cOnciscness and discriminate with pre-
cision the questions which come before the voter
and the order Of their importance.
What. then. are the Republican voters who
were represented in the Saratoga Convention
| fighting for? What DO they most desire? And
| how in the most concrete and practical form do
they propose To signify their purpose and make
their will effective?
In the first place. as touching National affairs.
il is their purpose TO elect Representatives 10
Congress who will by their votes In that body
help 10 remedy the mSchcvous effects Of Demo
cratic legislation restore prosperity to the com
fry. and put ii on the basis Of sound finance.
wholesome economic conditions and a broad
! minded intelligent conduct of affairs. They
want honest money. protected industry and
wholesome legislation. not for partisan ends and
| class advantage. but for the general welfare ana
! the benefit Of the masses Of workingmcn. 80
much they will express in their votes for Rcpub
ican Congressman.
In the State they desire clean and Ion
| est administration in the Executive cflcc,
efficiency and ncorruptbty In The depart
| mcnts and n Legislature composed of pure
and upright men who will not for any selfish
purpose. either personal or partisan. be turned
! aside for "A moment from the straight path Of
official rectitudc: who will not be- tempted by
any prospect Of temporary advantage 10 them
selves or their party. any leaders recognized
or sef-consituted of their party, Into any com
promise with. or any concession TO- the corrupt
political organization which for 50 many weary
years has inflicted the taxpayers with robbery
and the whole State with mSrulc. In The cities
Of the State which have been cursed with Demo
cratic mlsgovcrnment they want scoundrcls ana
thieves the accomplccs Of criminals ana Ihid
protectors of crime driven out without mercy
and honest men # capacity and fitness ana de
termined character put in all their places.
In this city their desire is, above all things a.
municipal reform little short Of revolutionary 10
disinfrt It's rottcnncss and restore its moral
health.
And these desires may all be summed mp
! in the universal aspiration Of good men for Inc
overthrow Of the party which in the Nation,
| the State and the municipality has made such a
wretched mess Of ii, and the restoration to
power in all places Of Il party which, without
claiming to be perfect or immaculate, has still
shown better than any other lis comprehension
of the responsibilities Of government and its fit
ness TO discharge them.
And it must be remembered that for the fulfil
mcnt Of this grand purpose there must be- no
weakening anywhere in the line Of attack upon
! the enemy. and no point left ungurdcd to be
| lost by Indifference or betrayed by trcnch"ry.
| An unexceptionaDle State ticket Is In the field
with almost a certainty Of election. But that
| victory will be frultlcSs unless the Legislature,
which Is equally certain 10 be Republican, Is
composed Of men Of the highest character. who,
regardless Of temptations or Establishments or
obligations for past or hope for future favors.
will cmbody in legislation such measures as are
necessary TO correct existing abuses and insure
| permanent and enduring reforms. The ra1iating
! centre Of political corruption, the very seat Of
| disease is In this city. Our municipal govern
! ment calls not for indictments but for surgery
| Tn, whole system needs to BE- oycrthrOwn. III
! vastication has shown il 10 be corrupt and rot
| ten to the core in almost all It's departments
! Not only does wise public policy imperiously de-
mand a radical change. but, in the narrower
view, sagaclous partsanship calls for II. 1t
would deal deadly blow AT the source Of Dem
ocratc corruption. ana weaken II not demolish
their most threatening and dangerous strong
| hold The Republicans OF the whole State are
vitality interested in this Now that their State
| ticket has been placed in the field. their next
| and not by any means less important. duty is 10
! see 10 the character Of the Legislature they are
! 10 elect The utmost vigilance will be required
| in order to keep the Legislature absolutely be-
yond the influence Of trading and sclf-scck
! ing politicians-frOm whom II Is not pretended
! that the party Is entirely free-who may be
! tempted to palter with the question Of thorough
and radical municipal reform II the Rcpub-
leans Of this city are more aroused and in ear
| nest upon this subject than any other II Is not
that they subordinate 1t to National and State
| issues but rather because Republican prospects
In the State and Nation and Ill hope for the
ascendancy Of Republican principles hinge large
" upon the question whether the existing cond
tons in this city, which furnish such vast OPP
| port,inities for Democratic fraud. shall be con-
tinued.
The prospect for sweeping Republican vie
| tory has not been so bright now In many
years. More than ever is II necessary that hon