New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-02
MANUFACTURED ISSUES.

The Democratic managers ana newspapers
have already begun to manufacture campaign
material out Of the record of the Legislature
inst adjourned Before many weeks are passed
we may expect to hear frantic appeals to the
popular feeling OF disappointment That more
good was not accomplished, and to see all sorts
of Establishments lavished upon the indepen-
dent voter to induce him to return again 10
power the same Hill, Murphy and Sheehan
whom he drove out in disgrace. The reliance Oh
the Democrats will be upon the short memory OF
the people, whom they hope to make forgetful
of the infamous deeds Of the ten years rule OF
Hill and Flower in the contemplation or the
lesser though nearer shortcomings or hepup
lican administration. But this effort 10 make
the Republican dime obscure the Democratic
dollar of evil will not succeed with any intelll-
gent citizen No Indignation, however virtuous
can make him think it for the public good to
open the way again for stealing Legislatures
and for carrying elections by means or murder
Like Aesop's fox he may be annoyed by the HES
that buzz about his head, but he Is sagaclous
enough not TO replace them by other swarms
which would suck his very lifeblood.
Nor does the fact that the Legislature this
year was placed in the control Of the Republican
party exempt the Democrats from responsibility
for vicious lawmaking If the minority had con-
sistently opposed bad measures they might come
into court with clean hands. But they have
been themselves partakers In the evil. Ihey
made an unholy combination with Republicans
OF the baser Sort and stood ready whenever
needful to give their votes to pass improper bills
and 1t was by the aid Of their votes that some
Of the worst laws Of the session were enacted
Now they denounce the legislation which they
themselves helped to carry through, and hope
TO profit from having done evil In a Legislature
which bears the name Of Republican The Re-
publican element in the two houses which was
honestly intent upon redccming the party
pledges, respecting the right Of home rule and
carrying out the mandates Of the Constitution
was sufficient 10 have defeated some OF the most
vicious bills proposed had the issue been wholly
in Republican hands. But they were consistent
" opposed by the Democrats. Every time they
threatened to overcome the sposmcn OF their
own party they were met by a sient-or if
needed, open-counter movement of the oppos
ton, and whatever men the machine lacked FOR
the passage of It's measures it was always able
10 secure from the ranks Of those who We're
vocfcrously and ostentatiousy fighting them
The minority was invariably ready 10 assist the
majority TO inlict n wrong upon the people, aud
they must share with the machine leaders what
ever blame Is attached to the years lawmaking.
There Is no issue In dcnouncing wrongs one has
helped 10 commit.
II Is unfortunate that the eve OF Prcsi-
dental election the iexisation intrusted to the
Republican party should by such combination
have been brought to such unsatisfactory results
The machine leaders, who ought TO be most deep
~ concerned at such n time for party success
should have fOrcscen the danger Of trining with
public sentiment and trading with Democrats
10 force measures upon reluctant body Of Re-
publicans. But they were more intent upon
selfish interests and grabs for spells than upon
the welfare Of the party which they assume TO
lead Consequently. at an important crisis they
have thrown upon the Republicans Of the whole
Nation the burden OF their intriguing and evil
doing. Regardless OF the organization whose
name they misuse, and whose reputation they
injurc, they have gone about making honest
citizens whose votes are needed TO bring the
country once more into Republican hands dis
gtisted with their purposes and ways. 1t Is no
credit to them If the public feeling against them
does not also hurt the party. But fortunately
the party is greater than the traders that march
under its banners and steal back and forth from
the camp Of the enemy. The people who think
on the issues and they are the people who de-
tcrminc elections, know that Repubcanlsm in
the Nation means Protection and sound money
and in the State reformed Civil Service, honest
elections, good municipal government and the
carrying out Of the spirit OF the admirable Con
sttution which Republicans gave to the people
They know this, and they will not be deceived
by any tricks OF Democrats to help Republican
spoilsmen harm their party. The people cannot
be fooled by manufactured ISSUES