New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-04
rs THE SALOON OUT or POLITICSl

rs THE SALOON OUT or POLITICSl
Since the passage Of the Raines Excise bill
there has been marked change in the tone or
Democratic newspapers and the conversation of
Democratic leaders in this State. For many
months prior TO that event there was an atmos-
phere of settled gloom over the Democratic press
and prevailing dependency among the party
leaders Fractional differences in the Repub-
lcan ranks furnished the only ray Of hope that
somewhat dimly dawned upon condition OF
discouragement that was gradually deepening
into despair. The wretched failure of the first
experiment of Democratic control of the lcgis-
lative and Executive departments of the Gov
eminent since the War so overshadowcd the
whole political situation that the most sanguine
leaders expressed no hope of success in the Pres
idcntial election Nor was there any ground for
hope that in this State. always doubtful, the
party could stem the Republican tide with suii-
cient force to save anything Of consequence from
the general wreck Very few Democrats who
had any knowledge Of existing conditions would
have ventured a month ago 10 risk so much as
reputation for political foresight upon predic-
ton of anything but a continuance Of Repub-
lean control in this State.
The Situation in this regard has somewhat
changed. Since the passage of the Raines bill
the Democratic press OF the State and the lead
ers OF the party have become not only hope
full. but confident of carrying the state in
November And they do not hesitate TO say
openly that their newborn confidence Is based
absolutely upon the effect OF the new Excise
law. This not much because of the strili-
gcncy Of its provisions. This feature OF the law
is not more likely to affect the votes OF Rcpub-
leans interested in tie liquor traffic or Tor othor
reasons opposed to radical excise legislation.
than to draw to the Republicans the votes or
Democrats who favor such legislation. SO far
as the law places restrictions upon The liquor
business il Is more than probable that con
siderable maiori:y Of voters OF both parties give
it their approval, and upon test vote would
say So Nor would the fact that the law Is, as
The Tribune has heretofore pointed out loosely
drawn and full Of cruditics and Inconsistencies
hinder them from such an expression For they
would pass over these defects and walt for time
and experience to heal them by additional legis-
| lation believing. upon the whole, the general
| effect to be wholesome and sound. 1t has to be
said of course, that upon this point there Is as
yet no basis fol accurate Judgment, and much
must be left to conjecture
But what the Democratic hopes are built on
is the simple conviction that in the practical
workings Of the law honest Republicans VIII
presently find that the purpose OF It's authors
was not TO promote morality or Temperance, 3nt
| to build up faction and strengthen political
machine The proclaimed purpose has been to
take the saloon ont Of politics With that not
only all honest Republicans, but all good citizens
must be In sympathy But the fear is-and we
wish we could believe it without foundation
that the saloon will not be taken ont OF politics.
but rather transferred from Tammany to ma
chine Republican politics. That change we do
not hesitate to say. would furnish n substantial
basis for the change in the Democratic outlook.
For il would drive out Of the Republican party
upon local issues thousands Of Republicans
whose allegiance upon National questions would
remain unchanged. The consequence would be
that NewYork, while giving its electoral vote
to the Republicans. would. in sheer disgust at
the hypocrisy and double-dealing OF Republican
leaders, turn the State Government over TO the
Democrats. For the Republicans Of New-iork
would not consent 10 have the party stultiiied
or put In the position Of deliberately decciving
the voters at the behest Of any so-callcd or self
constituted leaders.
We have now law passed ostensiDy to take
the saloon out or polltcs W" award ro''rhoi
Morton great praise for having appointed an
Excise Commissioner who gives promise by his
record that he will fulfil the terms Of that well
understood proposition And we give him fur
Their and higher praise for having put a stop
| 10 such construction Of the law rs would take
the excise appointments out from under tn,
| regulations Of the Civil Service as laid down
by the Constitution. But there IS still danger
that Colonel Lyman. the new Commissioner OF
Excise, may be overcome by the spcclOus argu
ments Of machine politicians and consent tt
make appointments under their dictation which
will practically annul all the promises OF good
results from the law. And The Tribune takes
leave to say to him that the moment he yields
to those approaches and Indicates Il disposition
to use his office according to their designs, thai
moment he puts 1t officially on record that Tho
ostensibe purpose Of the law was trick and &
sham, that the Republicans who passed II were
hypocrtes, and that, so far as the party in thi,
State Is concerned under It's present leaders i
Is unworthy of public confidence. And that mo
ment, too he impcrils Republican asccndanc,
in this State IT, in fact he does not wantonly
and trcachcrously turn 1t over to Democratic
control.