New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-17
THE STATE CONVENTION.

THE STATE CON |EN1ION.
There IS no reason TO anticipate anything but
an entirely harmonious session OF the Repub-
lican State Convention. which meets AT Sara
toga to-day. The denomination OF the old ucke0
has seemed for some time to be forcgone con-
cusion. and there are no indications OF any
serious opposition TO 1t as yet, although 'hose
distinguished exemplars OF straight RepnD'
llcansm. Mr. Louis f. Payn and Mr.. William
Barnes, are represented as actively and cner-
getically hostile TO such proceeding There Is
a prevalent suspicion that Messrs. Payn and
Barnes are engaged in an Innocent diversion;
that while they are making a considerable show
Of hostility TO the old ticket. they will presently
permit themselves to be convinced by the IRE
sistbe arguments and the personal fascina-
tons Of that persuasive statesman. Mr.. Thomas
c. Plat. and forego their desperate and deter
mined irreconciabilty After which they will
unite In saying with frequency and JUNCTION that
Mr. Thomas G. Plat is probably the only man
in the State o.: IN the whole country who could
by his intellectual force and personal charms
hold together great political party on the verge
Of disruption. Among persons who are i'm
pressed with the importance of keeping Mr..
Louis f. Payn and Mr.. William Barnes In har-
monious relations with the Republican party at
any cost or who lie awake nights shivering ut
the contemplation Of the disastrous conse-
ouences that might result II they should decide
to work some other party for an honest living
this argument will have great weight In increas-
ing the importance Of Mr.. Plat. For these rea-
sons there will be no serious differences to the
ticket Messrs Payn and Barnes will reluc-
family but gracefully yield, and-wat for their
reward.
Nor is there likely to be, in the convention
itself. whatever there may be In the Committee
on Resolutions. any irreconclabe differences
with regard TO the platform. The excise q'ies-
ton IS the only one that can furnish occasion
for disturbance, and It Is with reference to that,
and that only, that the Democrats are building
their sole hope of possible divergence OF views
from which they can take q decided advantage.
II would be misfortune though only temporary
ia character and results, II the Republican party
Of this State should permit itself TO be entrapped
upon this question by so obvious device Of
partisan trickery and cunning as the present
excise laws enacted by a Democratic Legislature
and approved by a Democratic Governor. A
Republican and Municipal Reform Admnstra-
ton in this city found upon the statute books
creation 1t had no hand in making the law,
but. being placed by the voters in the position
Of responsibility for executing 1t, II has simply
discharged It's duty in that regard. as in all
others. Instead Of apoogizing for the enforce
ment Of law. which is really the only objection
urged against Republicans in connection with
this subject. il Is the manifest duty Of
the party TO stand up with It's traditional
manliness and frankness and It's trad
tional courage and say: Eyes, we have
"enforced the law: we promised 10 do II; we
"were sworn to do IT, we could not do otherwise
"and be honest either with ourselves or toward
"the people who trusted us. We stand upon the
"record. and we do not dodge consequences.
1--WE shall abide them even If the people. from
"whom we took our commission, shall in mo-
"mentary alteration turn out the party that en-
"forced the law 10 restore the party that enact
led IT," That Is the only manly and courageous
way; the only Republican way to meet that
question. which Is the only one In issue As 10
local option and the other features OF the excise
law there are differences OF opinion In the
party. They will be settled in the election Of
Senators and Assemblymen and need not oc-
cupy the attention OF the State Convention.
Nor will Il be necessary for the Republican
State Convention 10 assume on behalf OF the
party any positive relation 10 the conduct OF
municipal affairs in the metropolis. Rcpub-
lican Constitutional Convention settled de-
csively the question OF the relation between
state or National and municipal politics. when
In the organic act after full and exhaustive dis
cusson It set the municipal elections apart from
all others and established so far as II could, the
doctrine that municipal government is matter
OF business TO be conducted on business prin-
cpes and kept separate from all politics. II
was in pursuance Of this idea that the alliance
OF last year was made by which the present
Reform Administration was brought into power.
II might not be amss for the Republicans Of
the State 10 formulate In their resolutions their
approval Of what has already been accomplished
in the direction Of Reform-but II Is not neces-
sary And 1t certainly would be suicidal TO per-
nit any expression OF disapproval OF what has
been done. however clamorous disappointed
Office.seekers may be for such action.