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

The opponents Of the plan for enlrging the
Republican State Committee mostly Mr.. Platts
friends and followers. offer a precedent as their
chief argument against the proposition. This
precedent is an idea of ex-senator Warner Mil
ler put into operation several years ago, which
resulted in materially increasing the size Of the
State conventions. 1t was Mr.. Miller's belief
that large conventions are less liable to be con-
trolled by cliques or Bosses than smaller gather
ngs. Practice however, failed to demonstrate
the correctness Of this theory. for, as generally
known, the Republican conventions in this State.
since the adoption of Mr.. Miller's plan, have
been little more than ratification meetings. Not
in the history Of the party has the display OF
one-man power been more extensively conspicu-
ous This fact the defenders Of the present
order of things say, with a certain grim salts
faction. Is sufficient answer to the advocates
of the proposed change
The Tribune is disposed TO agree with Mr..
Platt on this point The argument that he sets
forth is logical, say the least. II the PROPOSE
ton TO enlarge the committee rests solely upon
the basis of eliminating Mr.. Plafs power
merely by the successful agitation OF this ques-
tion then 1t must be said in all frankness that
there Is nothing in past experience or existing
conditions to warrant confidence IN sausfac-
tory outcome Of the effort, no matter how en-
Enthusiastically it may be prosecuted. Mr.. Platt
has controlled the large conventions as well as
the smaller ones that preceded them lie DOM
mated the old Republican machine In this county,
and he was in the saddle again when the Com
mttee Of Thirty finished It's labors, though the
new organization that they created Is In theory
uncomfortable by any Individual The present
State Committee Is owned by him. and Its sue
cessor. whether made up Of one member from
each county, or each Assembly district, or, Tor
that matter. each election district, will accept
his dictation unless the Republicans OF this State
who want TO see an end made Of Platism give
some attention to the character Of the men who
are chosen 10 represent them In the committees
and conventions
That is the solution Of the problem, and the
only solution. Work. hard and at times disa-
greeable work, must be done at the primaries, or
II will be useless to attempt anything In the way
Of reform in the convention halls or committee
rooms. The primary election is the source or all
political power in this country; it Is the founda-
tionhead, and SO long 1t remains uppurfed
through Indifference TO duty or lack OF courage
on the part Of reputable citizens, so long will
selfish schemers like Plat direct the practical
affairs Of the party, be the conventions or the
committees large or small.
This is not said because Of any opposition on
The Tribune's part to the change proposed by
Mr. Bliss committee On the contrary, We in
dorse it most heartily. The composition Of the
present committee is unfair and unsatis-
factory Mr.. Miller's plan which has al
ready been adopted by the State Club, Of max
ing the State Committee consist Of the chalrTnen
Of the various county committees except pos
slbly, in New-York and Kings, Is more de-
sirable than representation by Congress
districts, as now In vogue. 1t should be
adopted without hesitation, but it will be prac-
tically valueless unless decent Republicans
throughout the State follow the example Of their
kbrehren in Washington County, who fought the
machine at every primary and finally overthrow
it completely in the nominating conventions. thus
sending men TO represent them who can be de-
pended upon to vote every time IN the interests
Of the whole party. and not as directed by an
individual who maintains his grip on the party
simply because ne attends to the primaries while
his opponents talk reform
Let the State Committee be enlarged by all
means, but see to 1t that the new organization
Is composed Of men whose conceptions Of the
duties that the position involves will prevent
them from delegating the power Of the commit
tee to TON" Plat or his henchman, Charley"
Hackett. The quality Of the new Committee Is
far more serious matter than the quantity Of it.