New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-21
WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBILITY


Suppose it be admitted that the leading spir
It's of the Citizens Union are just what the gar
rulous Gruber and querulous Quigg loudly and
angrily insist they are. a parcel Of inexperienced
irresponsible youngsters who are trying to play
politics against practical and professional poll
ticians with the headlong, irTepressible zeal Of
amateurs but no knowledge Of the game. Sup
pose It be admitted that, compared with the
unobtrusiveness Of Quigg, they have been az
gressive and pushing. and that their naughty
manners, arrogant airs and lofty preensions are
in marked and striking contrast with Qulgg's
unpretentious demeanor, his noble self-abnega
ton. his absorbing desire for unity Of action his
intense longing for harmony and his audible,
visible and voluble yearnng after peace. Sup
pose their conduct has been cxasperatng
that Qulgg and Gruber feel Inundated at the
bare suggestion of being associated with such
canankerous persons in support of the same
ticket. to say nothing Of the degrading PROPOSE
ton that they should accept a candidate first
named by them Suppose these fresh and
bumptious youngsters have refused to confer
with anybody or wait for anybody have spoken
dlsrespectfully OF the Republican organization.
ignored the threatening attitude Of Quigg. dis
regarded the shelah he called an olive branch
him 60 first Suppose they have gone so far as
to say that as between Plat and Croker, be-
tween the Republican machine and Tammany
there was little room for choice but so far as
there was any they would prefer Croker and
Tammany. Suppose, in short. that these people
are crotchety. impractical, silly, mscevous,
dictatorlal, disagreeable and all that our ex
perienced and responsible Republican leaders
say they are.
Well what OF it? In selecting candidate
for Mayor Of Greater New-YOrk what do these
Republican leaders who pose as practical poll
ticians propose to set up as essential qualifca-
tons? Is it a disqualification to have been
named in advance Of the action Of a regular
Republican convention by number of disagree
able persons, great or small, who do not hold
the Republican leaders in so high respect as
those leaders hold themselves: Is a candidate
who IS an avowed Republican. whose quallfca-
lions for the office have already been demon
strated. whose personal character is above re-
proach and unassallable except by guttcrsnlpe
press that habtually sneers at political virtue
as hypocrltical pretence while exaltlng the
boldness OF stalking vice and holding up to
admiration the frank sincerity md lavish gen
crosby OF the political highwayman-ls such
candidate to be turned down lncontinently and
out OF hand because he happens TO be the favor
tie Of n number OF persons great or small whose
zeal In his behalf has lacked knowledge or dis
cretlon or because they are not themselves
agreeable 10 the Republican leaders? Is that
practical politics: Is that the way 10 strength
en- a party; 10 hold It's present and win new
support; TO carry elections? DO these leaders
want a large and successful party. or are they
50 cxacting In their tastes and so exclusive In
their associations that they prefer a select mi
noriiy Of cOngenlal spirits and defeat? The
Citizens Union has made no official declaration at
which any Republican, even the most sensitive
and scf-cOnscOus Of party leaders can justly
take offence. II has simply named a candidate
for Mayor who r. a Republican and rs such
eligible TO nomination by the Republican or