New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-17
UHO rs RESPONSIBLE.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.
Here are two facts to set Republican voters
thinking: First. the publication of an address
TO the Republican voters Of the State signed by
eighteen prominent Republicans. whose party
lovalty and faithful service are well known
throughout the state, making In the most cour1e
ous terms an appeal for cooperation In the WORK
of nrocuring the passage Of bills in the interest
Of municipal reform was made the occasion for
issuing n counter manifesto Of the most abusive
character by Mr.. Edward Lauerbach, as chair
man Of the Republican Committee Of this county
Thore was not the slightest provocation for the
ou,burst The effect of 1t was not only 10 put
rho Rcnublican County Committee in an attitude
of hostility TO prominent and influential men In
tho marty who had done nothing more than exer-
cse thc privilege of any individual voter, but to
hiring the Committee itself into contempt as hav-
ing authorized the publication Of n foolish ana
ridiculous TRADE against its own friends. 1t mas
turned ont that the Republican County Commit
fee was never consulted as to the preparation or
issuance Of any such document, but that MT
Edward IAuterbach prepared It and gave 1t out
for publication on his individual responsibility.
Indeed, It was so hastily and clumsy drawn, so
shameless in It's disclosures Of corrupt purposes
nuncIation Of everybody who had contributed TO
their defeat, that no intelligent body or men,
oven upon the impulse Of passion. wonld ever
have entertained for a moment the Thought oi
hoin- IFS sponsors. II nauseatcd Mr.. Patts own
newspaper which promptly and wisely rebuked
the demonstration But has the Republican
County Committee nothing 10 say when It's chair-
man SO abuses its trust and prostitutes lis au-
thority?
The other thing which may well set Republicah
voters thinking Is the fact to which The lrlbuhe
Yesterday first gave publicity: that Charles w
Uackcft. chairman Of the Republican State Com
mlt;cc and y. H. Odcll. jr, chairman of the
Executive Committee, had the brazcn assurance
70 circulate this disgraccful I.auterbach mani
feSto throughout the STATE. accompanied 10y a
confidential" circular In which Mayor Strong
WIS charged with having made "A declaration "r
war on the Republican organization ana a
"vcious thrust at The yitals Of the party itself
and Iauiorbach himself was set up aS one ol
'rhc foremost members Of the recent tons'itu
.tional Convention and "a distinguished lawyer
and a gentleman Of spJtlcss character HOW
came this? There had been no meeting OF III"
State Committee nor any consultation among
tho ,ucmbers of that body concerning this crcu
lar or IFS subject matter. And II was "A rather
important matter was il not: Ii WAS certainly
moi q thing of small consequence that the Rcpnb-
l,can marty Of the State ~ NewYork should be
,rraved by the action Of It's State Commit 20
It's authorized organ and official representative
in open hostility to the Republican Mayor ~
Ncw-York and some Of the most eminent ahi In
fucntial members Of the party. That was not a
Oft II
TO do upon less than twenty four hours notice
nv virtue Of the official positions which they hold
by grace Of the party Since when did the Re
nubllcan party empower lis State Committee 10
use the name and authority OF the party In de.
uouncng loyal Republicans? Since when did
the State Committee itself authorize It's chairman
and the chairman Of liz Executive Committee
70 use the name Of the Committee in giving cir
culatlon 10 documents not merely factonal, but
GROSSLY abusive Of some Of the best men In The
party?
Thes. are things that may well set honest Re
publican voters thinking. Beyond all question
Mr. Edward Lauterbach has abused his trust.
Nor is there any question but that Ny. iihckrtt
and Mr. Odell have abused theirs. unless, Indeed.
II be pleaded that they did not in fact aflix their
signatures 10 the document IN question. II they
did not who did! Have they given any one Il
| power Of attorney TO act for them in such mat
| ters? If they have, who Is the man: And If they
| neither signed the documcn, nor authorized any
| one 10 sign for them. who has broken into the
! State Committees headquarters and stolen the
| Committees letterheads for use In so base pur-
! pose? This is not matter 10 be lightly turned
aside Nor Is It something that will presently
| blow over The honor and good faith, not mere
" OF the Republican party as an organization
but Of the individual voters Is At stake. II
| Messrs. Ilackett and Odcll actually signed this
! confidential" circular, let them say so and ex
plain, il they can. by what authority they did It,
| If they did not sign II, 1t Is their first duty To
| investigate the matter and find who did take the
| liberty Of forging their names To "A scurrillous
| screed Let us know who Is responsible
|