New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-17


not represented faithfully by its State Commit
tee and, moreover that as piece OF machinery
10 control and direct the organization OF the Re-
publican party it ill-adapted for Its pur-
pose When the Democrats sketched out their
Congress apportionment law they naturally
threw as many Congress districts as possible
into New-York. Brooklyn and Buffalo. then Dem
ocratic No consideration was paid by them
10 the Republican vote. except that the Repub-
licans should have in each district less number
OF votes that the Democrats.
From the point Of view Of the Democratic
party managers representation OF the Demo-
cratic party in a State Committee following the
lines Of the present Congress districts Is accord
ingly most just one. But the Republican vote
Is not represented in its full strength In the
cities mentioned. The bulk Of II Is to be found
In the farming counties Of the State 1t there
fore happens that the majority OF the Republi-
can party does not possess majority in the
Republican State Committee. but 1t is controlled
by minority Of the voters Of that party.
Whether the farmer Republicans. forming ma
tority Of the Republican party. will be content TO
have the city Republicans forming minority OF
the party, continue In control. the approaching
Republican State Convention will decide.
THE STATE CONVENTION FAIRER.
In the Republican State Convention the dele
gates are elected upon a system which gives the
Republican voters absolutely equal representa-
ton in the convention. To each county are
awarded delegates upon the basis OF Its vote at
the preceding State election Such system is a
fair one and 1t seems strange that II should not
be applied also TO the Republican State Commit
tee 1t will be rather surprising II the Republi-
can party In State Convention assembled this
year does not say: I'VE will not have state
Committee organized upon the basis OF the Demo
cratic vote but upon the basis OF the Republican
vote We will rave the majority OF the Republi-
can party in control OF It's central organization;
for the delegation OF power TO minority is neces-
sarily dangerous and cannot but be damaging 10
the party's interests. A party's affairs cannot
be effectively managed by It's minority.
PI.ATr UPHOLDs THE INEQUALITY.
Thomas c. Platt supports and defends the pres
ent unequal system Of representation In the Re-
publican State Committee. He is opposed TO
granting to the Republican farmer voter the
amount OF influence IT. the State Committee to
which he is entitled by virtue Of the number Of
votes he casts for the candidates Of the party
The judiciary Committee OF the Assembly OF the
present year was instructed by that body to
bring in a bill redistricting the Congress districts
OF the State: but by orders OF Mr.. Platt. which
were brought here by Edward Lauterbach the
bill was suppressed Why? Because Mr.. Plat
saw that the passage of such law would reduce
the number Of seats held in the Republican State
Committee by the members Of his machine" in
New-York and Brooklyn.
JUSTICE NOT CONSIDERED.
II did not matter to Mr.. Patt that great in
Justice to the Republican party would be righted
II such a law were passed redistricting the Con-
sress districts that the Republican party would
be placed In a position elect In 1895 the number
Of Congressman to which II is entitled In this
State. Mr.. Plat thus would not repeal the Demo-
cratic gerrymander OF the Congress districts OF
the State. because such action would lessen MS
personal strength in the State Committee
AN EYE TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
II may also be suspected with reason that Mr..
Platt thinks that by controlling the sixteen Con-
gress districts packed away by the Democratic
party In the southeastern angle OF the State he
will be better able to elect a majority OF Platt
Republican as delegates TO the Republican Ma
tonal Convention In 1896. There two dele
gates assigned to each Congress district and
Mr.. Plat would evidently like to thrust thirty
two Of them into his political wallet at one stroke
There are seventy-two delegates in all. Mr. Platt
with thirty-two OF them would thus have a good
start toward control OF a majority Of the dele
gates.
MORO THAN ONE SCHEME.
1t would thus seem that Mr.. P1att had several
aims In his mind when he killed during the late
session Of the Legislature the Congress Appor-
uonment Act But the Republican State Conven-
uon which will meet in September has not only
me power TO say that the State Committee shall
oe elected upon a more representative basis. but
sso the authority TO make the redstrictipg OF the
congress districts Of the State party question"
such Law were passed early In the session Of
'"e legislature Of 1896. the delegates to the Re-
PUBLICAN National Convention Of 1896 would repre-
'sns not minority Of the Republican voters Of