New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-30

fs srnnosed TO be giving II careful consideration
and not vet TO have reached a decision. Yet so
SIRE is the enginedrivcr Of the way in which
the Executive lever will move that the Sehaie
wheels have already been made to revolve Jus,
as II II had moved and the bin was law ana
the commission had been appointed II Is moro
than faith, more than prophecy; II Is knowledge
and mastery Of every cogwhcel when Alone
make such confidence possible. Then see now
neatly and with what due regard Tor appear
anccs the resolution went through. "nen
Lexow proposed it the Democrats expresse"
virtuous Indignation Senator Mulin, who had
had experience with his constituents for failing
to seem properly Independent on the consoiha
ton question proposed to limit the committees
expenditures and almost all OF the Senator's eN-
cent those whose business II was to take the
extreme stand agreed to this compromise linen
the main question was put. and the resolution
received inst the twenty-siX votes necessary FOR
its passagc--no more and no less That was ac-
c,lrate calculation 1t took into account the eX-
act number of Independent Republicans who
could not be made TO support the scheme. III
provided for Mr. Mullins delicate situation, ana
his desire to refrain from voting lest he be again
called down" by the voters OF Jefferson Coun-
ty It foresaw the need OF strong Democratic
opposition for popular effect. 1t arranged Tor
the one Democratic vote necessary to carry ont
the scheme. and at the right moment it had that
vote and accomplished its purpose with aDso-
lutte precision.
Nothing was ever neater, though the same
thing has been done before. When the Assem-
hly first passed the consolidation bill there were
thrty-six Republican votes against it, and 1t
went through only by the engineers turning
steam into the Democratic cylinder Then when
II passed the Senate the second time Repub-
Ncan majority could not be summoned for 1t,
and the same process had to be gone through.
and again in the Assembly. when the bill was
there once more. just the number OF Democrats
required were brought to the rescue. SO. ont OF
five votes in the Legislature on Greater New
York measures which have the vehement oppo-
sition Of the Democratic party. the master or
the legislative machinery has in four cases Sc
cured his object by Democratic aid and has
made every move in absolute assurance thar
everything he needed. either from the Executive
department or from the Democratic side OF the
houses, would be at his command And he mas
been so sure Of his ground that he could LEI the
Governor virtu)usly call halt on Reckless legis-
laton for a few days whenever public sentiment
needed Cancellation and permit the Democrats
10 grow vociferoIs in their denunciation Of what
they were about 10 do whenever il gave them
pleasure.
Such IN exhibition of perfect machinery IL
would be difficult TO find elsewhere. Its work
irgs may moi be approved. but its efficiency Is
not 10 bc denied. With II there Is no need OF
the old system OF party government. Party OPP
position becomes a fiction. Separate legislative
and executive departments are survival OF an
outgrown civilization. Elections are superfii-
Gus popular amusement. which might proitably
be superseded by an annual free circus In every
town. These crude instruments Of government
ard useless when genius has perfected IL mechan-
ism that Is sure in it's workings controls leSis-
| latlye and Executive cction regardless Of argi-
ments. personal feelings or party declarations.
| and at the same time lets the political puppets
dance in opposition whenever their health re-
| qulrcs Despotism. said an old Greek. Is fine
| country but there Is no road out Of H. a per
| fccted bipartisan political machine is a wonder
| full sight. but 1t makes the people unnecessary