New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-03
TO-NIGHTS CONVENTION.

TO-NIGHT'S CONVENTION
The Tribune has no disposition to maghi!
the local issues involved in the pending politlcal
comuaipn or TO eyaggerate their importance as
bearing upon State or National questions. Inc
Senators elected In November will have voice
In the election Of a United States Senator 10 sue
coed Mr.. Hill and in that view it Is Important
that no mistakes should be made In the selection
Of candidates who for fractional or other reasons
might fail TO poll the full party vote. II IS also
Of the highest importance that in the nomination
of hoth Senators and Assemblymen the greatest
care should be exercised in choosing candidates
whose attitude toward the question of municipal
reform Is plain positive and unmistakabc. The
Ronublican party Of this county cannot AFFORD
IN mt candidates in nomination for the Senate
ar Assembly whose position is doubtful upon
,his point. who are half-hearted in the support
Of the measures of reform already enacted, or
hes,toting rs 70 the need Of additional legislation
in the same direction. Nor can the reform ele-
ments in last years allied organizations con-
sistently stand aloof or refuse to aid In the cleo
tion of Republicans favorable to reform over
candidates whose action in the Legislature, II
elected would tend to the reversal Of last year
work or the obstruction Of Its further progress.
t,on nnon National. State and local issues.
As 70 The other offices to be flled-County
Clerk. Register and Judgcs-it may be said OF
the first two that they are clerical rather than
executive or administrative, and derive their
no,i,ical inheritance almost entirely from the
amount Of patronage attaching to them; and OF
the Judges that by common consent political or
nartisan considerations should not-though they,
ont
lection. These are the offices for which nomina-
tions are made by the county conventions. Nho-
ever gives the subject a moments reflection VIII
pcrceive that none OF these positions relates
directlv TO. or can properly exert any influence
upon, the settlement Of any political question: OF
even. except in the use Of patronage, upon any
factional differences And yet there is much
truth in the contention of the active politicians
that the effect of the election or these cierlcai
and judicial officers by one party or the o'her
will have a very considerable influence upon 'he
cause Of municipal reform, upon the part! OF
combination of parties which advocates H. anu
rpon the final outcome Of the movement For the
result of the election will be held to ndlca'e TIE
comparative strength of the party OF REFORM Oh
the one hand and the party of reaction on the
other 1t may be in some sense Illogical ou' IL
Is none the less true ana una'oiu"oic'
The Republican County Convention meets 10
night. The. main question for It's consideration
will be whether it will proceed TO make nomina-
tIons independently Of all the other organlza-
lions which co-operated so successfully Tor mu-
nicipal reform last year or Will postpone acuoh
with view 10 consultation and agreement upon
n county ticket with last years allies Inc
former action means disintegration or the mu-
nicipal reform forces. For what purpose! Is
there any principle at stake? Anythihe, IN 1ac',
exceDt the salaries Of few clerical ana Juulclai
officers and few score subordinates! NO secret
IS made Of the fact that those who urge lnde-
pendent action do SO because they have candl-
dates for the several places whose fortunes 'hey
desire TO promote and for no other reason. is II
worth while to dissolve a successful alliance ana
take the risks Of defeat, which would be IN me
circumstances not only dsgraceful in Itself, but
discouraging and damaging to the partys future
prospects, Just to give a few active Republicans,
however worthy. chance to obtain Offices OF
no nolitical significance as reward for partisan
| or fractional activity? Is this worth while! II
has been said that the action OF the Good Gov
| eminent clubs the other night in thrusting them
| selves 10 the front with Independent nominal
| lions and other foolish demonstrations furnishes
not only provocation but justification for similar
action on the part Of to-night's Republican con-
venton Such talk is absurd. The convention
tonight represents party Of grown men, not
boys; Of men Of intelligence and experience, who
act with deliberatlon and not upon impulse. And
| it represents a party, too, OF such nulncrical
strength that 1t can well afford without loss OF
prestige or sacrifice Of dignity TO say to the allies
of last year: I'VE are interested in com
mon cause In which we should be united We
| shall welcome your aid as well In making the
| nominations as In eecting the ticket. We wait
! 40 hear from YOU" If, after such concatory
advances have been made. the allied organiZa-
tons Of last year manifest the disposition already
shown by the Good Government young per-
sons then the Republican party Of this county
| will be justified in going il alone. and will be
| stronger by thousands Of votes by their wise,
considerable and patriotic action In word the
convention tonight can well afford TO stand and
wait II cannot afford TO follow the example Of
| the Good Government young persons.