New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-30
THE GOOD GOVERNMENT CONVENTION

The important fact in connection with the
Convention Of Good Government Clubs which
met on Wednesday evening. perfected pcrma-
nent organization and adopted series Of reso
buttons indicative of its purposes and plans, Is
the demonstration it furnishes of the earnestness
and sincerity OF large body of citizens In be-
half of the continuance Of the movement for
municipal reform. That movement is still in
progress, for a vast amount Of work OF perma
ncnt and enduring character remains to be
ne The meeting of Wednesday evening Is
an indication that the interest in it has not
tagged; that the spirit Of reform has not by any
means lost its hold upon good citizens, but that
the organizations which were influential In
efecting the grand results of last year are still
in the field. ready to unite and cooperate in an
other grand endeavor to fulfil the purpose org-
nally proclaimed. at the same time widening its
scope and extending its influence. 1t is an in
SEPARATION to the friends Of good government and
municipal reform. and Encouragement as well
to those who. in the belief that last years up
rising ONLY ephemeral and transient have
been lying in walt through AL these months to
take advantage of the subsistence of the impulse
and reinstate themselves in power
That was sensible and practical view
which was expressed by Mr.. Larocque in his
opening speech When in reviewing the work
of the year. and congraulating his hearers upon
the good results attained. he said the slight de-
fects and failures were insignificant when com
pared with The sweeping reforms accomplished.
This cannot be kept too constantly in mind. par
tcularly in such organizations as these. where
the young and ardent and aspiring are enlisted
in cause, which. while it kndles enthusiasm
for the highest ideals, Is liable 10 provoke impa'
tience with slowness and disgust at the obsta-
cles with which human frailty Willingly or I'M
Willingly besets the progress Of reform. We all
need to remember that our own Impotence at
slow processes Is often more serious obstruc-
ton to the attainment Of good ends In govern
ment than the ignorance and vice which are ar
rayed in open and determined opposition. And
we do WELL in reviewing as Mr. Larocque did
the results attained. to leave out Of the question
the defects and failures as Of comparative insig-
nificance. while we take heart and hope from the
consideration Of any progress, however small,
that has been made, and move right onward in
the fight that Is never finished
1t IL not improbable that differences Of opinion
may arise among those who are devoted to the
general principles set forth in the resolutions Of
~
the details Of municipal policy. II would be
strange indeed If they did not. But It is no
less evident that these differences should bc
subordnated 70 the chief consideration, and the
main purpose Of maintaining for this great city
clean and honest government. in which The citi-
zen may rest secure IN life. limb and property
under the strict and impartial enforcement Of
law, and the wholesome restraints required by
social order and the public health. We should
be very foolish II we permitted small dlsappolnt-
ments in details. or the failure in some particu-
lars OF reform administration 10 meet all our
expectations, 70 obscure our view OF the good
results already attained. and the vastly larger
ones made possible by harmonious and united
action. The convention was wise, as 1t seems
to us, in taking no steps in the direction of
making independent nominations. There are
difficulties in the way Of bringing al the
organizations and all classes Of citizens who
believe in municipal reform and honest
government together in some plan for con-
certed action similar to that which was so
successful last year. But they are by no means
insuperabe And we have faith to believe that
wise counsels and reasonable adjustment OF
minor differences will effect it. That, at any
rate is the end that should be kept constantly
in view