New-York tribune., 1895-09-06
SHALL WE COMBINE OR SCATTERs

SHALL WE COMBINE OR SCATTERf
II is not impossible that out Of divided coun-
sells resulting from the natural impatience or
political reformers on the one hand and the
strenuous insstence upon partisan tests on the
other the necessity may arise for separate Re
publican action. and the nomination Of what Is
called a straight Republican municipal ticket at
the coming election. In what we have already
said upon this subject in connection with the
action Of the Good Government Clubs we have
sufficiently indicated that, In the Judgment OF
The Tribune such a course would be neither
wise nor polite II would be unwise from the
point of view Of the non partisan advocate OF
political reform, for the reason that the falling
asunder of the elements which combined last
wear 80 successfully would most certainly put
the cause in peril for which they achieved last
years triumph 1t would be impolitic from the
Republican point Of view, because Republicans
led last year in the movement for REFORM con-
tributed most TO its success. derived most pres
tige therefrom, and would suffer most from its
failure or any halt in its progress. From consid-
erations then of the highest public good, and from
the perhaps narrower considerations OF party
policy. The Tribune has urged the need Of pa
on the other. out of which may come united and
harmonious action on the part Of all citizens who
favor good government and honest admnistra-
ton and are opposed TO the restoration OF the
Tammany regime. The absence of the Commit
| tee Of Seventy from the field, the existence or
| which last year served such useful purpose
| IN furnishing basis for the fusion OF all the
concordant elements makes It more necessary
| that each of the several reform organizations
should proceed with caution and discretion.
| Pursuing the line Of discussion suggested by
| the danger Of precipitate action by the confed-
Grated Good Government Clubs, we desire to say
that the proposition which has been broached In
some quarters that the Republicans should with
draw from the alliance Of last year, which was
so effective. and nominate what IL called n
straight Republican ticket, relying for Its sup
port and It's election upon Republican votes
alone Is equally dangerous to the cause OF mti-
ncipal reform. With the siatciDcn. that Re
publlcans. as n rule are by "a sort Of natural
| instinct, by babltude training and association,
more likely 10 DO In sympathy and active CO.
opcratlon with all movements In the direction
Of good government and homes, administration
than their lifelong opponents we do not propose
10 take issue. Nor IL II necessary nt this time
10 enter into any discussion OF The question
whether upon actual count the Republican party
| pure and simple could command majority OF
the voters OF this county for It's candidates on
a straight ticket Another question, which may
also be waived, Is whether n straight Rcpub-
| lcan ticket for Mayor with the candidate who
was proposed by the advocates or that policy
last year would have been elected. And with
| II, OF course, the question, somewhat important,
whether that candidate, II nominated and elect
ed, would have made so much OF success OF
municipal administration as 10 have strength
ened and united the party and given entire sat
sfaction to the people The rashncss and mex
perence Of youth which since then have sig
nszed themselves by creating faction within
faction, if put in responsible position, might
have solidifed a party. No one can tell. Nor
| is It pertinent to the present discussion.
But It does seem both pertinent and proper TO
direct the attention of Republicans who sin
cerely desire the continuance to eventual sue
cess Of the reform movement set on foot last
year. TO the fact that the men who are urging
the nomination Of a straight Republican ticket
this year are those who urged II with the same
arguments last year; to the further fact that
they are the men who did more than all others
TO embarrass the present municipal adininistra-
tion in It's appointments and Its policy; TO the
further fact. now notorious, that they are the
men who made the lOudest outcry against the
removal Of incompetent and inefficient Police
Commissioners. and the appointment Of upright,
able and courageous men In their places to the
further fact that they are the men who by all
the methods known to politicians undertook to
| 0bsiruct and did In some degree prevent the
passage OF the wholesome and radical measures
Of municipal reform. for which the citizens Of
this town had by an overwhelming majority
expressed their desire: and to more fact. that
in all their opposition 70 reform administration
and reform measures. they had the sympathy
and support of the representatives Of the party
against which there had been an unmistakablc
popular uprising Those are the men who
to-day are actively urging regardless Of any
possible alliance and in advance Of any con
sultation or effort toward union. the nomination
Of a straight Republican municipal ticket Is II
worth while upon such counsels 10 abandon q
! great and successful alliance in an unqiicsion
ably good cause. for the large risks and small
chances Of purely partisan triumph. the results
of which may be garncrcd- by whom?
The real question. after ALL as II seems 10 u.s.
/ IL whether we are sufficiently satisfied with
what we have already gained IN behalf of good
| government 10 continue the effort with the
same combination of effective elements; or are
we 50 dissatisfied with the defects and short
| conngs Of last years work that we are willing
J TO throw II all away and return TO the old Tam