New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-26
THE. BOGIE OF REGULARITY
HOW REPUBLICANS MAY CONSISTENTLY
j. SUPPORT THE N0N-PARTIsAN
MOVEMENT.

1T IS MERELY THE PRACTICAL FUI.trIAHSr OF
REPUBLICAN, PARTY PRINCIPALS AND
.PLEDGES --
II "a not to be doubted that the issue pre-
scented by this campaign is a troublesome one io'
many honest Republicans. They desire. ABOVE
all things. the defeat Of Tammany Hail. ana
they clearly see that the candidacy OF Geners'
Tracy only contributes to the chances OF
Tammany victory. They are in sympathy VIII"
all movements for strictly business administra-
ton of city affairs and would be glad OF a
chance to settle local questions without regard
to National politics. But at the same tims tney
are loyal Republicans. and are strongly Douho
by party ties They see what Is recognized 90
the regular Republican organization protestinS
that the non partisan idea is anti-Repuohc*"
and running a candidate for Mayor on the
straight National party issue-under tho pre-
tepce that in spite Of the magnificent Repuo-
lican victory last year it Is vitality important
for Republicans in New-York to neglect their
municipal affairs and take the chance OF ram
many. in order to protest against the defeated
follics of Bryanism When they see the machine
so seriously in earnest for craftsmanship that IL
deliberately goes into a campaign to throw the
election to Tammany for the sake OF preventing
non-partisan success they are likely 10 con-
cude that some fundamental Republican prin-
cipIe is involved, and that 1t is their duty u
stand by the party even to the point OIL a'o'"s
the Tammany enemy
such troubled Republicans will find on study
ing the recent history OF the party ana the VI
terances OF It's most honored and most res"''
leaders that there Is no question OIL pa'' ''''
in this election compelling the support OF eau
didate for Mayor nominated by one body OF Ke-
publicans rather than another. General Tracy
has been named by an organization recognized
as regular by the State Committee Mr. 10"
has been nominated not only by Independents
but by a Republican body whose members nave
supported the Republican National ana o'a'e
principles and tickets Loyalty. and which owes
its separate existence to its conviction that the
machine management in local affairs Is SUD-
versive Of Republcanism rather than repre-
sentative of it, Bnt even passing over the point
that Mr.. Low is a Republican candidate as
well as General Tracy. and considering MN
simply AS put in the field by independent citi-
zens the fact remains that no question ot parry
regularity stands in the way Of Republican
voting for him. because the Republican party
itself is distinctly committed to the home rule
and non partisan idea Of municipai government
for which Mr.. Low stands
The Republican Constitutional Convention OF
1891 put in the Constitution a provision for
separate city elections for the express purpose
of making aon-partisan local government pos
sible That artife was unanimously proposed
by the COMMITTEE on cities. which was presided
over 10y Jesse Johnson OF Brooklyn. who has
just been appointed Il Justice Of IN. Supreme
Court By Governor Black. and among i's Re-
publican members We're the late John NJ Fran
els the stanch Republican Editor Of THE Troy
Time Tracy Q. Becker. Merton r. Lewis. the
present Republican candidate for Mayor OF
Rochester; Edgar A Spencer and Frederick W.
Hollis. This committee reported that such
provision "woud be very beneficial 10 cities.
both In its direct effect and In the announce
ment by the people Of the state that the gov
eminent Of great cities is no longer to be sec
ondary to matters Of State the Nation"
Jesse Johnson pleaded with the convention to
leave questions Of local administration Ito the
cities TO determine. uncmbarrassed by other
questions. and At n time when the issue OF the !
tarin or financial policy or OF domestic OF for |
eign questions s not before the people" Joseph |
n. Choatc declared that the people would be |
,reatiy helped "n their efforts FOR good govern !
rncnt II they have this opportunity. when the !
question Is not whether a man Is a Republican. !
but whether ne is 1T man to administer the
Affairs Of the city "a they ought to be admin
stored 30 a. to make ways and means meet
80 rs to have every dollar spent as it ought
10 b. spent for the public good. and not
natter " party patronage. Frederick w
Hollis said: III any observer would lie asked
To- point to single potent reason for the
corruption and abuses which prevail In our
lily governments. he would undoubtedly say
hat 1t arose from the fact that city officers are
.lccted upon National and state issues" When
he convention had finished it's work the Repub-
lean members. including Edward Lauterbach.