New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-16
"RRE1D AND BITTER.'

"BRE4D AND BCTTER.'
The querulous Quigg continues not only to
speak for the Republican party, but to be IT,
Seth Lows letter accepting the Citizens lhion
nomination, In which he declares himself to be
q Republican. so far from soothing or smooth
ing or toning down the Republican party in the
person of QuiGg. has only made 1t still hotter
in the collar and more implacable in It's hos
tilty For QuGg. having subjected the letter
TO minute analysis. finds reason to doubt the
sincerity of Mr.. Lows declaration that he Is
Republican. He objects to the phrase, Il am
Rppublican-but." This not because Quigg
being the entire Republican party. Is the only
recognized Republican butt" but because Mr.
Low says that If elected "the patronage or the
"city shall not be used for the purpose OF either
strengthening or weakening one party or an
"other' That's not the kind of Republican
that Quigg Is, and he says so with Infinite scorn.
Nov. | am n Republican," he says-wiih
sweeping gesture and the air Of man filed
chock IN to his load line with n sense OF re
spOnsibity, and saturated To the roots OF his
hair with the consciousness that 10000 voters
are waiting in breathless anxiety 10 know what
kind Of a Republican he Is In order 10 know
definitely what kind Of Republicans they are
themseves-"now, am n Republican who finds
mo distinction between the advantage OF his
party and the welfare of his country. In the
eight Of the experience OF the last ten years,
mot to go back further. believe that It means
bread and butter and happy homes to the
american people 10 uphold the Republican
party, and that every public place which hon
"ors a Republican and broadcns his Influence,
"however small or great may he the field OF his
"cndcavOr, tends TO maintain those principles of
government that are necessary 10 the public
.welfare." Trimmed of the beautiful language
with which QuiGg habltually adorns even his
ordinary everyday discourse, but which is not
at al necessary 10 the sense. he Is Repub-
lcan who believes that Republlcansm means
bread and butter
Slfted down to this. the definition seems IN
uncommony happy one. even for Qulgg It's
n buls-eye. lie couldn't have done better If he
had been practising on Il all summer. 1t de-
scrlbes with absolute accuracy the kind Of Re
publican that Quigg is. the kind Of Republicans
that his immediate associates are. the Kind that
he believes the whole Republican party ought
to be and are. and the Kind that Seth Low
avowedly. boldly and conspicuously Is not. 1t
sets forth in n phrase the radical and Irrecon-
cllable difference between the Republican party
which Quigg not merely stands for but actually
Is. and the advocates Of Seth Lows nomination.
Seth Low and his following represent what they
call the aspiration for good government and
honest Observation-Disclosures 10 Qu!gg. an
empty abstraction. The Republican party, ac-
cording 10 Qulgg. IS not foollng away time on
empty distractions or visionary theories. Its
purposes practical, It's aims visible. tangible
concrete. /, is after bread and butter and
bo for 10 yrho nj
no distinction between the advantage Of their
party and the welfare Of their country. and who
believe that every public place which honors
q Republican" tends TO maintain those prn-
"cpos Of government that are necessary TO the
public welfare" 1t will be we'll for applicants
for Office under the new Civil Service rcgula-
tons without starch TO bear this In mind For
II Is not unlikely that In the examination for
fitness they may be nskcd. What are the
principles and aims OF the Republican party?
II they should. they can quote Qugg, Bread
and butter and happy homes" and they might
add in the words Of Flanagan. of Flannncan's
Mills, THAT'S what we're here for
1t Is not likely that the election Of Seth Low
as Mayor would reduce the amount Of bread
and butter or the number Of happy homes
in Greater New-York. The conditions would bc
about the same as now in that regard. The
difference between Seth Low administration
and Quigg administration would he that the
distribution Of bread and butter and the main
tenance OF happy homes" In one case would
be conditional on faithful public service; In the
other upon devotion 10 Quigg The distinction
Is an important One-lmporant to the taxpayers
on the one hand and to Quigg on the other
Quigg has done well In making It plain. 1t Is
about time the line were drawn between Repub-
leans who believe that Repub!icansm means
good government and honest administration and
those who believe It means bread and butter"
If Qugg has his way, the latter will have an
opportunity to stand up and be counted. The
result Will. Of course, be Tammany control Of
Greater NewYorh. but II Tammany has any
sense Of gratitude for so important a service,
the Quigg following Will not be without dread
and butter and happy homes for the next four
years.