New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-21
no 4 FINISH.

Il
Events have ripcncd rapidly during the past
week The Republican Party Of this county is
standing at the forks Of the road with 1ull
knowledge of the direction Of each. Never Dc-
fore in the history of the party was the ma
chinery of party management so exposed 10
view: never the purposes of its leaders so com
pletcly unveiled. nor their motives so rSoro'isl!
scrutinized. And never before were the voting
masses Of tho party so profoundly interested Ill
the details of its organization, The methods by
which and the men through whom II does us
work and Is made effective. The great Dody OIL
Republican voters who last year look inc uh-
usual step Of enrolling themselves in one or the
other Of the two county organizations, actually
meant something by it, and were IN earnest
about It, The overwhelming majority III DOM
organizations were animated by the same pur-
pose and had the same end in view. tnough
differing as to iIstrumentalitics and processes
What did they mean? What was the induce
ment for these thousands Of Republicans whose
political activities had been before limited 10
voting the ticket. To enrol themselves IN eiec-
ton district organizations. come out 10 'he
primaries. and take part in the prelimihares
which they had from time immcmorial LETT uh-
QuesiOnngly TO the managers, recognized OF
sef-constitutcd. Of the party? 1t was really an
uprising Of the party. But what was 1t about!
What was it for:
Everybody knows This is what 1t was about
and what it was for. For years the Republican
Party of this county has been made to DIVIDE
with the Tammany Democracy the RESPONSE
bility and the blame for the rottcnness OF munic-
ipal misrrlc and the legislative infamies that
stalked abroad and Haunted themselves AT
Albany because a parcel of corrupt ana pa'ah'
traders in politics had usurpcd the leadership
of the organization and used the name of the
Marty In carving out their own iniquitous deals
for the crumbs of official patronage And when
n wear ago last November the purpose began 10
dcyeIop ON the part of honest citizens of all
partics 10 throw off the hateful Tammany yoke,
the voting masses Of the Republican Party in
this county up by Il common Impulse ana
said. ..It Is our share Of this work TO rid our
Gown Marty of the Bosses who have disgraccd
'ls and helped perpetuate rogue rule by tradlfg
"and dealing with the Tammany scamps ana
playing into their hands as opportunity offered
"or occasion required. That was why they
undertook in Il way. which after all was superb,
Notwithstanding the divergenccs of opinion
which hindered harmonious action. TO reorganiZe
the party purify its leadership, reform its prac-
tees lift 1t to a higher plane OF usefulness ana
mt II in accord with awakened public sentiment
and the fresh impulse OF reform. That Is the
why and the wherefore Of the existing condition
of affairs in the Republican Party
The IMPULSE has not died. nor have the masses
of the party faltcred in their purpose. But II Is
only too plain that they have been ouiplayed IN
q game in which their Outspoken sincerity and
open-handed trllstfulness have been 10 match
for slyness and cunning tricks and treachciy.
At the end Of twelve months Of earnest effort
they find themselves apparently under the lead
crship they had discarded, and arrayed In sup
mort of the system against which they had re-
VOTED. And the attorney for the rehaDiitated
and rc.established Boss" stands up in his rep
resentative capacity before The Republican or
ganzation Of the county as It's prospective 'N-
ecutive head. preaching harmony in one prea'h
while in the next he dcnounces as disorganizers
and mischief makers all who do not lay aside
their convictions and yield allegiance 10 MS
client and the partys Boss" That is the pres
ent complexion Of affairs. II presents the qucs-
ton with distnctncss and force To- the regular
Republican organization Of this county whether
they want Harmony, with a large ii, accompa-
MED by Boss with large Il, or Will con-
tinue as they originally set out to make the up
rising against "Bossism' and Bosses fight 10
Il finish.
Here are the forks Of the roads The situation
cannot be mistaken nor misunderstood. There
NAV be waverng among the weak; those who
a little while ago were ovcrsanguine may be
faint hearted and discouraged the tme-scrvers
NAV 90 over 10 the other side, and the camp
followers follow the scent Of patronage. ana
there may be- worse than ALL lack OF leaders
who can lead but thing Is sure: that the
voters and taxpayers of this rogue-ridden town
are so much in earnest In their purpose TO over
throw the entire system Of municipal misgovern-
ment under which they have been oppressed and
plundcred bullied and robbed. and every annex
to and adjunct Of It, that they will not consent to
any compromise Or bargain or steal 10 save 1t
or any part Of IT from determination. Mr. Lau-
terbach has frankly disclosed the purpose OF his
client The question is presented bald, naked,
without attempt at conccalmcnt or disguise.
Does the Republican Party Of this county pro-
pose to recognize Thomas G. Plat as its ruler
and Boss? If not, then the fight against him
and his attorneys and all that he and they repre-
sent must 90 on to finish. This is plain talk,
but ii Is no time TO mince matters.