New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-20

THE ~BETTER ELEMENT AWAITS EVENTS.
There has been a momentary pause since the
plott-I.auterbach combination began to realize
that all their efforts to drive the better element
into bolt from the party had failed. Something
that sounded like a chucke has died away III
their throats They are perfectly aware that the
.better element is still in existence; that IL mas
not changed its attitude. and that III all thei
plans for carrying out the ultimate purposes
which they have in view il must be counted rs Il
factor OF no inconsiderable Importance. As Inc
Tribune has already stated. the better element
STAYS in the party and will not be driven out.
The better element" is wise enough to reros-
njZe existing conditions II is not beating the
air. or making a kick merely for physl eXeT-
else. All the same II holds itself in readiness.
II has not abandoned its position OF unc0inpro-
missing hostility to the false and 1rauduiVh'
claims Of the Iauterblch County COMMITTEES ~
represent the honest voters OF the Repnohc'n
party Whatever happens. it VIII s'ahd upon
thot will insist upon IT, as q vital and absolute
nocossitv for tEc permanence OF the party ana
ito continueJ success and if need be, it VIII Ole
fgbtinq The better element" sneercd ut by
pIatt and secuted as IN uaInii Sated nuisance
nv Iauterbach. is here to stay The Ilaiti-au'er-
bach people are beginning to come mo an apiI'-
hcnsion Of the fact, and to be somewhat 'houSh'-
full in consequence. So long as they indniSed III
the illusion that they could by frAuuu"h' enron
ments and dishonest primaries drive ou' 'he
better clement and retain for themselves con
troll of the party machinery with the use OF Us
name. influence and prestige they were merry
Now. that they see and understand 'hat me
.hottcr element" will stay In the party anu iiEh'
thcr usurpation Of its executive functions u ne
last gasp. they are beginning to be 'hon%h'ful'
Meantime these people are also beginning 10
realize one other thing which is that the pos
session Of such power as they claim in the county
and the State brings with it all the responsiDih-
ties of power They have not hesitated 10 81!
that through their hold upon the party in TINS
comfy. upon the Republican Legislature ana
upon Governor Morton they can work their own
sweet will in directing policies, In confronting
LEGISLATION and In moulding the Executive. Upon
rho strength Of this assumption both Mr. Platt
and Mr. Iauterbach have openly ana puDNclv
nro1njsed to their retainers legislation at Albany
unon the two important questions Of excise ana
tho Greoter New-York which viii utterly sub
vert the whole purpose of municipal reform ana
nut in their hands for distribution an amount or
official patronage and place never dreamed or
hv the Tammany magnates in the plenitnde OF
their power most eXhlarating prospect Ed
ward Lauterbach has aroused enthusiasm on
several occasions by his graphic portrayal OF the
good things In prospect 50 soon as the programme
agreed upon shall be put in operation by Re
publican LEGISLATURE backed by the active aid
and co-operation Of Republican Governor 10
the mind OF the person waiting for chance 10
serve his country at n stated rate Of pay nothing
could be more vvifying.
Well the better element" waits for the pro
gramme to be put in execution. 1t waits to see
what q Republican Legislature, which 1t helped
elect will do with a carefully concocted ana
publicly declared programme which has but one
meaning and one ultimate purpose That Is, 10
fasten upon the Republican party OF this State
"A policy for which there can be but one eXplaha
ton. which is. to make every consideration re-
latnc 10 the public welfare and the general good
subordinate tC the larger aim Of personal poll
ties and the promotion Of selfish ambitions The
better element will wait patiently and hope
fully for the outcome Of that programme. 1t
Will wait too, with considerable faith In It's be-
lief that Republican Legislature and RcpuO-
Ucan Governor may be depended upon in the
final event not to sacrifice themselves nor their
marty. These gentlemen SEEM from surface ap-
nearances. To have power. The better element
waits in faith and hope TO see how they will
discharge their responsibilities
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