New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-05
THE ASSEMBLY,

The result of Tuesdays election makes one
fact perfectly evident That is that If the Re-
Dubcan party is 10 recover lis lost ground in
this State and elect Governor and Legislature
next wear, the independent sentiment OF the
people must be respected. Another season or
"iamming through" at Albany will inevitably
result in tanning the Democrats into power.
There can be no mistake about the warning 1t
is written in the returns from every county IN
the State. 1t is seen in the great excess OF the
Low vote over the Tracy vote in New-lork, in
the failure Of the local organization TO hold even
its enrolled members in the narrow Republican
majority in the Assembly and the still narrower
plurality by which some Of those Republican
Assemblymen were elected in rural districts
where the Democratic vote is generally iDsg-
nifcant.
necessary step In the strengthening Of the
Republican party is conduct Of the Legislature
which will inspire popular respect instead Of
inviting popular resentment There must be an
end TO legislation by a boss and beginning OF
legislation by representatives Of the people who
nav attention TO the sentiment OF the people
There must be an end to the tyranny which
forces Senators and ASsemblymen to vote for
measures they believe immoral or think politi-
caly unwisc and an abandonment Of the ma
chine practice of forcing through bills with the
help Of TammaLy votes when enough Republic
can members cannot be dragooned into support
Ing them. The Republican voters are plainly
weary Of electing Assemblymen 10 misrepresent
them, of having members who display indie
pcndence turned down" by the State machine,
and Of having candidates forced upon them
By outside influence and money. The election
of Mr. Laimbeer In NewYork, the small plu-
raty of the machine man who suppanted Mr..
Robbins in Alegany and the loss of Assembly
men IN many country districts all point to the
disgust Of the Republican masses with recent
party management. II a change does not take
place in legislative methods End If attempts to
cocrce primaries do not cease that disgust will
spread further and bring utter ruin.
1t Is perhaps too much 10 expect that the
bosses who have sclnshly and blindly prepared
the way for this years disaster will learn its
lesson and cease 20 invite It's repetition. But it
is In the power this year, as II was not last, Of
few Assemblymen VINO care more for their
party than for bosss favor 10 save that party
from the evils Of boss rule. Even the nominal
Republican majority In the Assembly is small
and 1t is even possible that the balance of power
may rest in the hands of the Citizens Union
men from NewYork. 1t certainly will be held
nv Republicans who owe their election to Cit
zens Union votes and are under obligations to
conduct themselves independently Moreover
there are some country members who not
utterly subscrvient. 1t is in the power Of few
of these men to make a stand for good govern
mcnt, to force the election OF n Speaker who
will not be a tool, to secure committees that will
represent the best party sentiment, and put a
stop to corrupt sale of law which has been the
mainstay Of boss power, the club with which
funds were extorted for use in the suppression
of party freedom. The honest men in the new
Assembly should realize their duty and their
opportunity, and use the power placed in their