New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-22
TIE CRITICAL YEAR.
in destiny

This wear Is vital for good government and
genuine reform 1t Is comparatively easy 10 over
throw organizations when their rottenness and
onpression have become int0lerable. The grand
uprising Of the people then comes like the light
nngs flash for suddenness and Tor reslstless
power But II is a different matter to consolidate
and complete the victory and to prevent the re-
turn of the old band of public robbers to power
under new dIsguses or with new fgurcheads.
New York did not finish. but only began great
reform. when it placed Republican Governor
and Republican Mayor in Office. Every intel
gent man knew that abuses were too deeply
rooted to be removed in single year, and that
ono wear of defeat would arrest incomplete re-
form nj a critical point and restore to the public
robbers a material share Of the power wrested
from them. Neither did New-Jersey finish, but
only began great reform, when 1t elected
Legislature of true men. The work cannot even
go deep enough to offer fair chance OF lasting
unless Governor not at the beck and call of law
breakers. racetrack swinders and unscrupulous
partisans can be elected In both States the really
severe test comes this year. Welmeaning men
by the thousand will think they have done their
duty as happened in overturning the rings last
year. and can now answer the call Of partisan
ship by cccting to office practically the same men
who were beaten under new pretences or new
names
1t Is Just here that the great peril comes for
every reformatory movement In its nature I'M
possible Of completion within single year, or by
new hands who do not carry forward the work
with It's full spirit and scope the struggle for pure
and good government Is always liable 10 break
down when the next election comes after the first
outburst Of public indignation. The Indignation
is apt to cool. The tremendous inertia of great
bodies unaccustomed TO organized, continued and
coherent work begins to he felt. The dissatisfac-
ton of some because the upheaval has not
brought exactly the results which their interests
or ambitions had sought breeds discord The
standard set too low for some or too high for
others. is sure to repel some who are honest bu,
not broad enough to that progress In no direc-
tIon Is possible except by successive steps. The
reform which attempts to reach It's final end at
single bound is not much Of reform or else 1t
fails.
This year rather than last year, then, will de-
termine whether the people Of NewYork and
New,Jersey are going to get decent and pure gov
ernment for themselves. If they elect Demo
cratic Legislature in New York. il they elect
Governor in New,Jersey who will place re-
spectacle name at the service Of n ring Of public
robbers, reform will take q back seat, and the
people will spend another period, perhaps of
years, in getting themselves swindled and edu
Gated. 1t is their affair, and yet many of them
are exceedingly likely to act as II the whole of
their duty in the matter Of reforming government
had been discharged when they broke the Tam
many ring In NewYork and the racetrack ring
in New-Jersey The result in each State depends
upon the number Of those who refuse to turn
back until the work Of uprootng abuses and or
ganized plunderings has been completed.