New-York tribune., 1895-12-12
THE SKIRMISH LINE.

THE SKIRMISH LINE.
| The results Of the Republican primaries on
Tuesday night are in the main what was gen
orally expected. They had been foreshadowed
! by the refusal of the Lauterbach conspirators
10 grant q postponement upon the protest OF
wellknown influential Republicans against what
was admitted to be a false ana fraudulent enrol
ment and they had been provided for with much
ingenuity and cunning in the enrolment ITSELF
If there is any disappointment. II Is on the part
Of the conspiratOrs. who confidently expected
a much more sweeping victory as the fruit OF
| their long meditated and carefully concocted
| MANS Renders of The Tribune will bear wit
ness that we have never at any time expressed
i reasonable hope much less expectation, OF a
! different result But while we have kept con-
stantly before the minds of Republicans the
notent fact that the odds were in favor OF the
| constructors through their being in possession
Of the machinery Of the county organization and
consequently intrenched in the citadel Of power,
we have strenuously insisted that 1t was the
duty Of all Republicans to avail themselves Of
every possible means 10 defeat the conspiracy
without going outside the regular organization.
TO this end we advised all Republicans to COM
plv with the conditions Of enrolment So far as
the plans Of the consplrators permitted them 10
be publicly known and 10 resist SO far as they
were able the padding Of the rolls in the interest
of the Lauterbach conspiracy. We were not un'
mindful Of the difficulties In the way or bringing
ort q full vote az the primaries of the Anti
Machine Republicans. nor OF the fact mat the
Lauterbach conspiratOrs had some justiiieation
for their confidence in the slackness and indfcr-
euce Of their opponents. Nor did we fail to take
into account the important circumstance thal
while the conspirators have had months In which
to perfect their plans. the Anti-Machine Repnb'
cans. as the result Of these plans. have had
very little time for consultation or agreement
looking to concert Of action.
Notwithstanding all this. the results show lhat
a heroic fight has been made-and we point 10
them with something of satisfaction. as showing
what can be done by earnest ana determineu
Republicans when the good name of the party.
lis usefulness and its future welfare are al
stake. Too much praise cannot be awarded the
| men who have stood up SO manfully ana al
| much sacrifice of personal convenience and COM
| fort as we'll as of time and money. for the best
interests Of the Republican organization in this
| county 1t will not he their fault II the ma
chnery of what is called the regular organiza-
| ton shall be continued in the hands OF politi-
cal freebooters. whose sole purpose 1t Is to init
, ate n reaction against the wholesome reforms
TO which the party committed itself last year.
| and restore 70 power the Tammany gang with
which they have always had. and hope TO con
| tinue. profitable commercial relations. 1T Is not
bv anv means certain as yet that the Anti-Ma-
! chine Republicans have been defeated. Repulse
ON the skirmish line is not conclusive Of the
| l.o A ~
Committee has not yet been chosen SO unrepre'
sentative Of the party and so destitute or IT'S
| confidence that it cannot in the midst OF q cam
paign be trusted with funds enough to defray
necessary expenses; nor has the RepuDican
| party of the county issued to Mr. Edward
! Lauterbach its commission 10 carry Into the
lobby Of the Legislature at Albany its delegated
authority TO use its name and prestige In fur-
,herance either Of his personal ambition or Of
the interests Of the corporations which employ
him. The advantage gained by the cOnspirators
Is smaller than they confidently expected, and
far from being final. The sturdy resistance al
| ready offered gives promise Of a determined and
unyielding opposition, which will continue in
the field in spite Of temporary reverses. and, Us
we confidently believe. will triumph in the end.
| For II IS a fight in the best Of against
municipal misgovernment In the first place, and.
| as an essential factor in municipal misgovern-
| ment against the corrupt conduct Of an honest
party.
The primaries were only skirmish They
| conclude nothing There is still time for hon
| est and determined work within the lines Of the
organization. The Tribune said last Monday,
referring TO the respectful request for a post
ponement of the primaries, that there was no
need of haste. There is none now. We need not
hurry. But between this time and that which
| will be set for holding the county convention
there Is the most urgent necessity for consulta
,,on. deliberation and preparation for a last ef
fort within the lines Of the county organization
70 defeot this infamous conspiracy against the
GOOD name and permanent well-being Of the
marty There should be no relaxation Of effort
| on the part Of those who have already done SO
well On the contrary, there should be an in.
crease Of earnestness and enthusiasm and n
more determined purpose to fight the conspiracy
10 the last gasp and II need be, die fighting
| But there will be no such need The Repub.
| licans Of this county who believe in the prin.
clples Of the party: In its honesty and good faith
in the professions 1t has made Of devotion to
good government and municipal reform. consti
tute the great majority Of the party. They will
not submit TO be defrauded or betrayed Sooner
or later they will assert themselves
-
THE ATTACK UPON N. FAURE
NJ. Faure is TO be congratulated His enemie: