New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-06
POPULAR DISSERTATIONS.
ROBBINS'S DEFEAT IN ALLEGANY.
AN EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH PARTY
RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOCAL &C

RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOCAL Ac-
TON IS EvADED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir The Tribune of October contained report
Of the defeat Of Assembyman Robbins for renom-
nation In Allegany County. but gave none OF the
particulars. THE Sum- of the same date printed
detailed account. headed PLAT Men Win In ALE
gany." in which the convention referred to as
love feast" and as complete re-establishment
Of the prestige Of the organization. The proceed
ngs were described fair and open," and as
occasoning no protest or objection from any
source.
Perhaps II is we'll that the truth about this love
feast" and the fair and OPEN means whereby,
THE Sun says with refreshing frankness. the ring
has reganed the supreme control of Allegany
County" should be known. The case has a broader
than merely local significance When proceeding
honeycombed through and through with hypo-
critical dishonesty is pausbly described the pub
lie In the great news journals love feast,
fairly and Justly conducted, may well ask
what assurance the people have that similar re-
ports OF other political struggles throughout the
State have not been edited with equal skill. in
order that the present "matchless leadership" Of
the party may be the easily and safely main
tained.
1t will DO recalled that the convention Of 1895,
which nominated Grant Duke for the Assembly,
was so VIGOROUSLY fraudulent that an independent
movement was inaugurated. the result of which
was Mr. Robbins's election by plurality Of 800
over Mr.. Duke. thus overcoming a normal Repub-
loan lead Of about three thousand five hundred.
This year the convention was not called until
nearly two months past the usual time in order. II
possible. TO forestall another Independent move
ment. Snap caucuses were called, and OF course.
tho whole force of party discipline and official
patronage brought to bear. Two cases only
need be cited since they determined the result. In
Rushford. the home of the nominee A. ". Itch
Jaia aia cd hv 90
TO 81. but the chairman without the slightest justi
ncation. refused to sign their credentials, and
this pretext the convention deprived them Of their
seats by strictly organization vote In another
town caucus Mr.. Robbins had a clean majority OF
over fifty. when nearly twice that number Of Demo-
Gratis were brought In. and the Robbins delegates
declared defeated by ten majority. The vote
stood 81 to a in the convention. and these two
towns would have changed the result. The facts
were abundantly proved before the convention. but
without avail
The objection to Mr.. Robbins consisted in the
offence Of having "bolted" on certain organization
measures. which he could not consclentiousy sup
port and chiefly N having voted against Mr. Plat
utely necessary by the circumstances OF last years
campaign In other words. 10 manifest any degree
constitutional rights OF representative or the peo-
pie. is to be marked for permanent political retire
personal Vengeance has pursued every one OF the
four Accomplishment who voted against senator Pat
machine. rather than fathfulness 10 party prin-
ciples and to the individual sense Of right. is the
new test Of Republicanism. then Mr.. Robbins Is
indeed "bolter." But. for that matter. have the
people forgotten a certain famous bolt In 1881.
when tho Senators from NewYork deserted the Ma
t,onal Administration and disrupted the Republican
party because OF petty dispute over, not Que5-
ton OF principle OF public policy. but solely over
the distribution OF patronage. the chief concern OF
certain types OF craftsmanship?
1t is lame and puerile excuse 10 say that the
organization is not responsible for the misdoings Of
its local representatives. Not essential step Is
taken by county managers without the express in
struction or implied approval of the State machine
and 1t is idiocy 10 deny this. The regular confer
in New-York not for social recreation
This feature OF party management would indeed
be of value were definite responsibility linked
with IT, Just now. moreover. the organization Is
making It's great plea FOR support In New-fork on
the need OF maintaining party responsibility. This
IS entirely right and personally, / indeed believe
thoroughly in party responsibi,l,i,ty. But let
I sham. Party responsibility which is used
IN New-York plank to get In on and dis
claimed everywhere else wherever convenience de-
man1s IS pure buncombe When we have party
responsibility which more shirk the odium Of
dishonesty and corruption in the remoest township
than IL could OF treachery to the peoples interests
az Washington, then can place our confidence
In party leadership with far less reservation and
protest than at present.
have made this statement at the risk OF pos
sible Implication OF egotism. simply that the truth
may be known about the closing incident In a
struggle which has attracted some little public at
'''''''' '' 49, H. HAYES ROBBINS.
Mount Vernon ~ Y. Oct. 8. 1897.