New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-01
TIE CITIZENS UNION.

The public-spirited citizens who have under
taken the enrolment of voters In partisan
movement to prevent the control of Greater New
York from falling into the hands Of the machine
politicians Of either Of tho two great parties are
deserving Of great praise for the work they have
already done. as we'll as encouragement In the
efforts they are still making. 1t Is not doubted
for moment that they fully realize the mpor-
lance Of the undertaking end the magnitude or
the difficulties to be encountered and overcome.
1t Is by no means an easy task to persuade
large body Of voters already attached to one or
the other Of the old parties that their civic duty
calls for a separation from them and the sunder-
ing of political affiliations and associations for
the sake Of what may appear to them to be only
an experiment in municipal politics Besides
this, these gentlemen have to contend with
perhaps still more formidable difficulty In the
proverbial apathy Of voters at all times except
when there is something like pressing political
emergency or when an election Is close at hand.
In spte Of these adverse conditions however, It
is gratifying to know that the work OF enrol
ment Is proceeding and making most encourag-
ing daily progress, even though there Is no ap-
parent rush of voters to put themselves on rec
ord as members of the Union This could not
be expected by the most s8nguine promoters OF
the movement.
1t Is proper to say, too that. in the judgment
Of experienced political observers, 1t Is better
that progress should he gradual and growth
steady, as thereby 1t would appear that voters
are not acting upon hasty impulse but are taking
time for reflection and serious consideration be-
fore reaching final conclusion as to their po-
| ltical duty. And in view Of this slow growth
and the waiting attitude Of so many voters. 1t
seems to that the citizens who have, as we
believe unsefshly and with the best OF motives,
assume the task of enrolment and organza-
ton should proceed with the greatest care and
deliberaton in all the steps preliminary to TAX
ing the field actively and aggressively in the
municipal contest Above all things. everything
that has the appearance Of Fastening events by
the naming Of candidates for any Of the offices
to be filled should be most sedulously avoided.
There will be difficulties enough in the way Of
assembling and organizing voters In support Of
the cause Of honest non-partsan municipal gov
eminent They would be enhanced thousand
fold II any color were to be given TO a suspicion
that the end in view was the selection Of any
particular candidates or the promotion Of indi-
vdual ambitions In other words, 1t is vastly
| easier to mass and organize voters In behalf of
| n cause than of n candidate.
| Let there be, then, talk Of early nomina-
| tons. and, above all, none of candidates. The
| first and greatest task Of the promoters Of the
Citizens Union Is to create the Union; to enroll
| In ii formidable body Of voters who are in
hearty accord as to the main and only purpose
| Of overthrowing the corrupt political machines
| and establishing In permanence system OF mu-
| niclpal government upon business principles,
| That Ia possible But any attempt or any sign
Of an attempt, to fOrestal the action OF the Union
| when organized or to give it special direction
! will inevitably defeat the end in view. 1t must
| be borne in mind that one ground Of hostility 10
| the political machines, and perhaps the most pO-
tential, Is that they are controlled by n few
active managers who them TO make nom
| nations for the whole party to support in which
the rank and Ale have practically no voice. They
| cannot be beaten by the establishment OF an
! other similar machine or anything that has the
| appearance OF It. And though there may be no
| need Of tive certainly hope there IS Motive
| may be pardoned II we suggest to the leaders in
| the Citizens Union movement that they cannot
| too carefully avoid giving ground for the sus-
picion that they mean TO give direction to the
| movement so far as nominations are concerned
| before their organization is effected. There Is
| no need Of hurry, no occasion for haste. Get
the enrolment first, then let every enrolled voter
have q voice In the selection Of candidates Other