New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-18
THE TdTTERB1CH SGRPiTION.

THE JlITERBffH tSt RPiIIoN-
whoever will take the trouble to examine. the
directions issued by Mir Lauierbacb AZ president
of the Republican County Committee to the
chairmcn Of the Assembly district .suD-coh
mttces as to the revision OF the enrolment ISIS
and compare them With the provisions OF me
constitution of the county organization VIII see
at once that Mr. LautcrI,ach has not only himself
usurpcl powers for which he can find no war
rant in the constitution. but has also instructed
tho subcommittee to act in total disregard OF
that instrument and absolute defiance of its
provisions 4 mcie cursOry glance III his inslruc-
tions is sufficient To discover its purpose. lf
those instructions are followed by his suborli-
mates In the spirit with which they have been
issucd the machinery of the Republican organi-
zotjon Of this county becomes the sole property OF
Mr. Iouterbach. Not only are all Republicans
who desire TO enroll themselves obliged to run
the gauntlet Of cross-questioning by factional
leaders whose purpose will be no; to enlarge the
Marty. but solely TO strengthen their own fac
lion but Republicans already enrolled will be
~ the mercy Of the Iautcrbach revisers, who are
authorized by the circular referred to to strike
from the roll any one who in their judgment
has ceased TO be Republican,.
Neither Mr. I.auerbach nor any Assemp!
District Committee has the authority 10 do this
II is most audacious usurpatlon OF power III ne
fiance Of the express provisions OF the cohs'lu
ton. The purpose of ii is manifes:. Aching
upon these instructions Mr. IAuerbachs re-
visers MAY strike from the rolls for instance all
the wellknown Republicans whom he denounced
some months ago in printed circular over MS
own name as traitors 10 the party FOR signing
petition TO the Legislature asking for legislation
which Mr. Lauterbach did not favor. Or if TINS
should seem too bold stroke for Them what 50
easy as to strike from the rolls upon any other
pretext a sufficient number Of enrolled RepubI-
cans 70 leave the Lauierbach following in abso-
lutte control in majority Of the districts! MI
Iauterbach has not been slow in assuming
doubtful powers since he took Office. nor has he
hesitatcd 10 exercise his authority with the over
veening arrogance Of a born Boss: but his pres
emf exhibition Of contempt for public opinion ana
defiance of the provisions Of the constitution
from which alone be derives any authority what
ever SURPRISES in monumental impudence any
thing he has heretofore done or attempted.
Nothing could he more plain than that all the
details Of his plans for re-cnrOlment hay" been
devised with a view 10 the retention Of control
Of the county organization by the gang which
openly threatened to "cut the liver out of the
ticket" on the night before the late election, be
cause the party would not trust them with money
10 defray election expenses and reward them
selves The limited time allowed for enr0lmcn'
the date at which it must be done, the suppress
sion Of any public notification Of the places OF en-
rolment the unconstitutional demand for the
old enrolment lists, the character o.: the APP
pointments of enrolling officers, the Withholding
from the public Of necessary information. and
above ali the unconstitutional powers ntruStcd
TO the enrolling officers 10 revising the lists
all these things point unerringly in one direction
1t is the desperate endeavor of Il discredted and
distrusted gang of political freeb0Otcrs 10 retain
their hold upon the organization machinery of Il
party with whose political purposes they have
nothing in common. but whose influence and
prestige and good name they prostitute to the
basest uses.
They are depending upon the Indifference and
apathy of the masses Of the party TO effect their
ends VIII the honest Republicans Of this county
permit them To Succeed through their own lack
of interest and neglect of duty? The time is
short In which to take measures 10 defeat the
plot But il is ample If the right men take hold
of the matter IN the right spirit and call the
party to its duty. 1t is simply question whether
the party will calmly submit TO gross and out
rageous usurpaiion Of power by men in whom
| il has no confidence n has already beer demon
| strated or will rise up and assert itself. II We
| must have Bosses. let us at least have Bosses
! that can be trusted with more than 5000 nj one
| time.