New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-19
MR.. DEPEV on BOSSES.

Mr. Dcpews address before the Vanderbilt
University at Nashville yesterday was full Of
sound sense and sterling patriotism. No part
of 1t was unworthy OF the orator or the occa
sion, but we desire TO call special attention 10 a
few sentences in which Mr.. Dcpew, with clear
insight and even more than his customary en-
ergy of phrase, points out the chief cause Of bad
government in the United States, and summons
intelligent and upright men to apply the one III
falliblc remedy. He SAIL
We hear much--oo much-of rings and bosses
They are the natural result of the neglect of the
primaries by the citizens. The boss and the ring
on one side in secret partnership with the ring
and the boss the other, present tickets maze UP
of thieves or tools. and then shout for us to vote
for the the other in the name of protection or
free trade, In the name of monometallism or Tree
coinage of silver according TO our party affiliations
II the educated men of the country who are minis
ters lawyers. doctors journalists. business men or
farmers would perform their duties In the primary
school ~ the never would experience that
despoiism Of a machine which blghts ambition. de-
stroys homes, effort for good government ana
plumbers impartially partsans and antagonists
Mr. Dcpcw proceeded to show that the people
are never without ample resources within thcm
selves 10 rectify the evils which they have fool
ishly tolerated. and cited rs remarkable Illus
trations Of This constant power OF redemption
the recent civic revolutions in New \ ork. BROOK
lyn and Chicago
In the sense in which Mr.. Dcpew used the
words there is too much talk Of rings and bosses
foo much idle talk. mere Remuneration. begin
ming in superficial irritation and ending in moth
ing Int words There is never too much Of thar
earnest disinterested condemnation of corrupt
and selfish bossism which proceeds from clear
p
expresses stcadfast purpose to instruct and
arouse public sentiment There are too many
intelligent citizens whose Indignation is brief
and spasmodic. and whose example OF general
subscrvicncy is depressing and harmful TO the
cause Of which they are occasionally pleased 10
figure rs cxpcnents Such championship is prac-
tcally worthless. Once in while IL may nap
pen to persist beyond crisis. and appear to nav"
been instrumental in accomplishing desirable
result; but there is no certainty even then That
| IL will be able to stand the strain involved IN
| securing the benefits which have been made pos
| sible Mr.. Depcw is entirely right in saying that
| we hear too much about rings and bosses from
| those whose action bosses and rings have no
reason TO dread.
We have had the unhappy experience OF SEQ
| ing a great opportunity and a grave obligation
neglected in this State during the East six months.
and we now see those who are responsible for
| this default strcnuously cndcavoring TO retain
the power which they have misuscd. 1t * not
an unfamiliar spectacle. A similar effort to con
| fuse the minds Of voters. 10 make the worse al
near the better reason. has too often succeeded
heretofore TIE trcachcrous plea OF cxpcdicncy
backed up by command Of political resources
will prevail again if the people are not waichfn
| and resoutc The practical question Is how
many of those who have lately talked a great
deal about rings and bosses. or given evidence
Of at least temporary adherence 10 the principle
Of genuine popular sovereignty possess staying
power At the present moment the respectable
and well-intentloncd citizens Of New-iork ar
| indisputably masters OF the situation. But they
are on the verge Of being called Oh 10 determine
| whether they will retain or lose their control
As Mr. Dcpcw says, IF we have neglected ON
duty TO the community, 10 the State and to The
Nation by ncelccing the beginnings Of govern
'ment, we are not without remedy There are
numerous questions which ''can wait ~ they
have waited and wnvcrcd for Il gcncralion.' Th
question Of honest and capable representation II
the Legislature Is II question which the people %
New York cannot afford 10 postpone. In rcnlli.
Il will not be postponed. If they do not dccld
II for Themselves in The right way, there ar
those who will be thoroughly prepared To dccld
II for them In the wrong way,