New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-27
CROSSES" VERSUS MASSES.

The significance Of the late Republican State
Convention was not in the fact that 1t formally
announced and put it on record that Governor
Morton was its choice the Republican can
ddate for President. That was long ago dis
counted Indeed more significant than the event
itself was the fact that, for reasons not 1ar 10
seek since the passage Of similar resolution
by the unanimous vote Of the last previous state
Convention a considerable opposition to, his can
ddacy had developed. Nor did any unusual sig
nifcance attach to the resolutions adopted,
terselv expressed and admirable in their con-
struction as they undoubtedly were. For they
enunciate no new principle nor any new line OF
party policy They are, with only slight changes
in phraseology-as has already been pointed out
In The Trbune-in absolute accord with the
resolutions adopted by the Republicans of ONO
and Minnesota and which will in turn be put
forth as sound Republican doctrine by all the
States Nor was it in the fact that Mr.. Platt
ruled the Convention. directed its action ana
controlled its results This. too. bad been dis
counted long ago. No one expected anything
else
No; its chief significance lay in something en-
tirely apart from these salient feaurcs-Sone-
th!ng that is already slowly dawnns upon the
ume and increase in force as the canvass for
Presidential candidates proceeds II was IN the
fact that on the floor Of this Convention-in the
composition of which the resources OF the state
machine had been taxed TO their utmost. with
the hand of the Boss clearly conspicuous
through ala revolt was initiated against
BOSSES" and Boss rule which struck the key
note of the campaign. 1t came Unexpectedly.
Z. Ia Ina of Ia
ton to the machine managers. And there's a
world OF meaning in 1t. 1t was not, be II par
ticuarly noted. a demonstration OF hostility To
Governor Morton-the Morton candidacy is TOO
well understood to provoke any such action.
Nor was it against Mr.. Reed or Mr. Allison or
any other of the eminent statesmen who nave
been named candidates. all OF whom are
sound Republicans. and any one OF whom would
receive the parUs united and hearty support
Nor was 1t solely against Mt Pla't. though IL
Is undoubtedly true that his arrogant manner
and the impertousness with which he assumes
!. to hold sway over party and people Legislature
and Governor and the whole machinery OF GOV
eminent. have greatly intensified the feeling OF
hostility TO Boss rule
1t meant simply and in brief that in the nom
inaton Of the next Republican candidate for
President Of the United States the people, the
Republican voters, propose TO have something
10 say. It meant that no oligarchy OF bosses
can get together at n round table with the Pres
dency in jackpot. and in game all by them
selves wn lose or divide 1t NJ. 1t meant for
Mr.. Plat himself that he cannot, after fool
ing round with a "favorite SON for ballot
or two. bunch seventy-twO votes in his own
hand to be cast for the candidate who VIII
promise to make him Secretary Of the Treas
ury That delusion. at least has been dis
| PEELED And the demonstration in behalf or
| Mckinley, 1t should be remembered, though
partly due TO the connection OF his name In
the minds of the great body Of voters with the
tariff under which they had prosperous times,
good wages and plenty Of work. was more di-
rectly attributable to the fact that the BOSSES
| had combined against him. They have not
| made nor offered to make, any deal with him
| or his friends have they on their part APP
| preached the Bosses" With full knowledge
| Of Mr.. McKinleys strength with the great body
Of Republican voters on his own merits and
| by reason of his conspicuous relation to thrift
legislation. by which he has been put so far in
the lead Of all other candidates to date. we are
by no means certain that he will not after
| all IL nominated. owe his success 10 the under
| living and deepseateu noStilIly Oh the HISS oi
Republican voters 10 the dictation and DONNA
| ton Of Boss oligarchy
The State Convcn'ion-not so much in what
II did which had been prearrangcd and dis
counted. as in the underlying purpose which
broke forth in spite Of all attempts at repression
struck the keynote of the preliminary canvass
| and set the ball in motion. Inside the Repub
lican party there is now no disturbing question
of tariff or currency. The party Is mt one upon
all the current political ISSUES Of the day. 1t Is
only divided upon the question whether tho
great body Of voters shall have voice In IT.
councils. or its machinery, its organization, Ii
influence and its power shall be left to an oil
| garchy Of POSSES" 1t is simply BOSSES
| against the ppODle