New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-30
TIE NICJPdL SITUATION.

Nothing is easier than criticism. II is the
weakness of all reform movements 'ha' WIN
the first real advance. ana the hrSt ac'"'l
achievement. though Il he only the capture "a
an outpost or the piercing of the enemy SHIT
miSh-linc the undsciplincd and only hall-or-'n
lied hosts engaged in the assault 1ail mo COLI
fusion and disnay. and. instead OF IN" uho'ohch
front essential TO complete the victory the arm!
becomes mob. without unity OF purpose OF any
definite plan Corporas and sergcanis aspire 10
direct the next forward movement; the rank
and file call councils of war and assume re-
snonsibilticS never intrustcd to them. and pres
emily the thoroughly organized ana WcllillSci-
plinoI foes Of reform, taking advantage OF 'he
tumult. simply pull themselves together ana
march back into the positions from whlch 'h'!
have been temporarily displaced. In such Il re-
form movement as that which displaced me
Tammanv raScalS from their positions OF power
in this city II is 10 be remembered thcr" were
hetcrorenpous clements that almost forbade the
nossbli,y of permanent cohesion. They came
,ocothpr for one specific and clearly defined
nurnosc. but without any distinct notion as TO
how that purpose was To be effected. There was
no consideration Of details. no consultation or
agreement as TO the specific legislation required
to carry out the municipal reforms which all
SO earnestly desired.
We are now in the midst of conditions WHICH
were enccnderod by the first success; by the
capture of an outpost. We are discuS>Ips in''N
ur.s and MANS by which we can make that first
success a permanent good To ms cohhu"I!
Naturally and inevitably there is considerable
confusion Of counScls and there are very VIII"
differences of opinion. Nothing else could be
II
TWO or three things one Of them is that all
the 1JA 600 voters who united in the support oil
N,vor Strong and the municipal ticket have
lust one objective point: and that j. me r'u'1hP
ton of this city from the rule or III" rogue" VII"
have 50 long tramplcd us down. lha' i 'h'
essential thing by whatever process W" r'"'h
IT, Another thing not TO be forgotten Is mat III
opposition. not always open and ou'spoKch' pu'
ever alert watchful ana active, with great re-
sources of intrigue, trcachcry and plausible III
siuuation loses no opportunity 10 retrieve ltsrl
bv taking advantage Of and magnlfylnG me
differences Of opinion and personal disSehSohS
n orr own ranks upon questions which are not
really momcntOus Another thing is That :" far
| rs The municipal administration is concerned. II
is Of our choosing; we are responsible FOR H. ana
| So long rs il does not bctray the cause which
| we have al heart II is the duty Of common
| honor and common deconcy 10 accept lis acts
| os those of or own accredited representative
| and leave criticism and complaint 10 those who
| are openly hostile to it or secretly coh'pir'
| AGAINST IT, In other words let us leave carp
! inc and fault-dnding 10 Mr. Plat and his Tam
many allies and restraining mpatcnc" AT his
| slowpeSs and dissatisfaction with his appoint
| mcntS. stand by our own Mayor
| We may we'll do this. For whatever com
| plant some Republicans Oh The one hand, 81
| Anti-Tammany Democrats and Good Govern
| mont persons on the other, may make Of Mayor
| Strongs appointments or his policy, the mas
| putablc fact remains that in Inc judgment ol
| the vast majority Of citizens. he has thus fa'
| borne himself with dignity and sclf-poisc and
an evident determination not 10 be sWerV'1
| from his own sci.sc Of duty and ideas Of righ
which in the circumstances are not only unusual
| but remarkable. He may be evaslvc ana non
commttal upon questions on which some or III
| supporters think he ought 10 be positive alt
| ou,spokcn hui it must be remembered tha
| these are the v'ry questions upon which hl'
| secret enemies have hoped 10 trip him ana lay
him open. In our Judgment he has shown grra
shrcwdness and sagacily in resisting all th'
| pressure brought 10 bear upon him III This re
| gard The clear distinction which he has con
stanty made between his own Legitimate func
tions and those Of the Legislature is worthy III
highest praise. Ii is comfort Ia all good citi
Zens to think that we have a Mayor who no
only could take such sensible view al III" out
set. hut could maintain it against such Il floo'
Of bcsctmcnlS and temptations is he has I'll
| countercd.
The Mayor has honesty good sense and al
ipncxbc will. He is The hope Of all who sin
ccrelv desire municipal reform, ana should 10
be the targc, Of their criticisms.