New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
NEEDLESS ALARM.

The Platt-Ouigg Rump is very much dis
|turbed over the passage of resolution at a
meeting of Republicans in Lyric Hall on Thurs
|day evening setting forth that the so-caled Re
publican organization does not represent the Re
publican party of this county, as was demon
strated in the late election, and that conse-
|uuently 1t should not be recognized by Mayor
|elect Van WICK in the appointment OF two Re-
publicans on the Police Commission. AS repre-
senting the majority of the party who supported
Seth Low against the candidate OF the regular
Denomination. the meeting authorized the chalr-
man to appoint a committee who should select a
|candidate for Commissioner to be recommend
ed for appointment TO the Mayorelect. The
mover Of the resolution subsequently explained
that his only purpose was TO test Mr.. Van
|Wyck's sincerity in his professions of belief in
the principle of majority rule From this point
of view there was no great improperly in the
proceeding as the effect would only be to offer
the Mayor-elect a choice between a candidate
named by the Platt-Quigg Rump and another
proposed by Republicans claiming to represent
majority Of the party. The latter apparently
did not stop to consider: First, that the move
ment represented by them is still In process OF
formation and unification, and that, strictly
speaking. they We're not authorized to speak or
act for it in so definite and formal proceed
ing; and, second. that the fundamental prin-
cple Of bipartisan municipal government for
which they made their fight in November Is
inconsistent with the bipartisan theory. Nom
partisanshp in elections does not dOvetail with
bipartsanship in appointments.
The action was doubtless taken hastily and
without sufficient reflection upon its significance
or It's consequences So far as the effort, or
even appearance OF an effort, to secure an
appointment of an Anti-Machne Republican on
the Police Commission is concerned, ii is to be
hoped that II will not be pursued further. II
Mr. Van Wyck desires to obey the spirit OF the
charter provision that mo more than two men,
beers of the Police Board shall belong 10 the
Same political party or be OF the same opinion
ION State and National politics" he need go no
further than the present Board TO find candidates
perfectly satisfactory TO the majority OF the Re
publican party of this county; men who are not
without experience and whose discharge Of Off
cial duty has given satisfaction to the commu-
nifty ut large. IT, hOwever-and we fear this Is
more likely-he is only anxious 70 avail himself
OF an opportunity, by means OF this absurd pro-
vision, to put Platt-Tammany Republicans on
the Commission. that the responsibility for
police maladmlnistration and corruption may
be divided with Republicans, st is far better
that he should be left 10 his own devices; to
make his own diczers and deals with the Plat.
Quigg Rump. Then the Republican party
would run no risk Of being scandallzed by the
treachery or the misdeeds Of It's representatives
Meanwhile, II Is interesting TO note that the
organ Of the Platt-Qugg RumD Is very much
exercised over what 1t calls "a silly piece OF
impudence" on the part OF the Republicans al
Lyric Hall in proposing 10 interfere with the
plans OF the Rump Bosses for dividing tho
crumbs Of patronage TO be distributed under
The bipartisan provisions OF the charter Moth
ing rouses the Indignation OF that abandoned
Tammany oracle 50 much az interference, oi
anything that looks like Interference. with the
plans Of the political highwaymen. In whose
cause It Is temporarily retained. for the division
OF public plumber. The Lyric Hall resolutions