New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-18
GROWING THE KNEE"
fund.


Tbere was n secret council of the Republican
district leaders last Friday afternoon al 'he
county headquarters 1t was called by Presi-
dent Edward Lauterbach OF the hepuolic"h
County Committee for the purpose of announc-
ing TO that body that his determination 10 re'iIe
from the presidency was positive and irreVoca-
BILE. The fact that there was such counci''
that such was It's purpose ana mat II was
profound secret was communicated 10 tue p"oic
in hushed whisper the next morning u! "ie
accredited organ Of the leaders. The New-1orh
SIM" From the same confidential source we
learn full particulars Of what took place upon
the OCCASION: How Mr. Lauterbach recounteu
his services; how ex-P0llce COMMISSIONER
Charles H. Murray agreed with him perfectly
as TO their Importance to the commlttee' the
party. the general public and the country at
large: how Murray begged him to change his
mind: how Mr.. Lauterbach shook MS heao III
the most determined manier; how everybody
was affected almost to tears, and how hnaliy IL
was the understanding with everybody mat
his resignation would be presented to the Couh-
.tv Committee when 1t meets ON Ihursday
0nieht." Further details Of this secret council
were that zone Of Mr.. Lauterbachs IDEAS IN
calling the council was to talk about MS pos
..sible successor" but that mo successor was
talked about" and then followed what appears
TO have been an informal talk ABOUT the coming
campaign and the part that the Cltlzens Union
twas trying to play" This Is casually de-
scrlbed as "a lot of talk" but 1t Is stated that
what Senator Plat said some days ago about
the best citizens was Endorsed by every man
present.
The really important feature OF this "lOt OF
talk" was that 1.-The feeling was practically
unanimous that 1t would be the gravest KIND
"of a mistake for the organization to bow the
"lnee in any way to the Citizens Union III
ANYTHING of that sort was done it was generally
agreed that II would materially weaken the or
"oonizoton. and make it. hard to hold some OF
Its hidebound followers; and representa-
tive from Mr. Glbbs's district said there WAS
the hottest sort of a feeling over there against
any sort of tempOrizing with the Union. NO
hint was given as to what the ''hidcbound foi-
lowers would do in case there was any DoWlhs
of the knee nor how the hottest sort or reel
ing" in Mr.. Gibbss district would manifest
itself. except that 1.-THE organization men swore
that If any combination was MADE IN which
1.-THE organization did not have all the best or II
"at every point they wouldn't have anything 10
do with the organization; but the most con-
sentative view is that something deleterous
would be done, and quite likely something
swoenincly disastrous 1t is consequently a
serious matter so serious, indeed that our versa
tile and enterprisng contemporary, THE Sun,
which alone of all the city newspapers enjoys
J the confidence of the Republican County Com
mittee, may we'll be pardoned for an apparent
violation Of that confidence in letting the gen
eral public into a knowledge Of the proceedings
of this important secret council.
1t is well TO have 1t understood at this early
stage that the really momentous question in
the coming municipal campaign is not, as many
well-mean ming citizens suppose, whether the new
and greater city shall be wisely and efficiently
governed by officials Of their own choice, Sc
lected because of qualifications and fitness for
civic functions, but whether in the choice Of
| these officials the Republican County Committee
shall bow the knee to the Citizens Union, or the
| Citizens Union shall bow the knee 10 the Repub-
| Ncan County Committee. For the Citizens
| Union, or some Of its more laxative leaders,
| have already announced that the one thing they
Will not do, come what may, Is to bow the knee
| to the Republican County Committee. This
brings the knee-bOwing business TO a head. II
| the Republican County Committee, on account
OF its "hidebound followers and the hot feeling
| in Mr.. Gibbss district finally decides irrevoca-
bly, that 1t will not bow the knee to the Citizens
Union, and the Citizens Union, making the Re-
publican County Committee Its chief objection,