The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-28
The Issues OF the Campaign.

Usually, political issues manufacture
themselves. They arise spontaneously out
Of the actual political situation, and can
neither be created artificially nor smoth-
cred by issues devised for the purpose of
covering them up.
In spite Of that unalterable law Of the
philosophy Of politics, the manufacture of
artificial issues to replace those made by
the logic of events is now proceeding in
dustriously in New York, with the assist
ance of political mechanics elsewhere.
Mr.. JOHN c. SHKEHAN of Tammany Hall
has been working for several months in the
fabrication of one of these artificial Issues.
He calls it Home Rule" and claims patent
rights on it on the ground that, although
not novel in principle, it is original in its
application as q means Of covering up the
real issue.
1t will not work, for the question of
home rule is already determined. The
charter of the Greater New York estab-
fishes home rule for the enlarged mu.
nicipality and settles the question
finally. That instrument was drawn by
a commission, Of which Democrats were
among the most distinguished and &C.
tive members, and the only dissent from
any Of its provisions came from two Re-
publicans, Mayor STRONG and Mr.. SETH
Low. All of the Democratic Commission.
ers voted for 1t and urged its passage by
the Legislature. The fullest measure of
home rule practicable under the Constitu-
tion of the State is secured by the charter
of the Greater New York, stamped with
absolute Democratic approval.
MI. SHEEHAN will have to go back to his
Tammany Hall mandatory of political
fetiches, and expend his ingenuity in get
ting up some other continuance to shut of
the real issue of the coming campaign.
Herr OSWALD O~TTENDoRFER has wrought
out his issue. 1t is the lager beer issue, the
most tremendous question of the ages, In
Herr OrTENDoRFER's opinion; the pivot on
which everything really momentous turns.
Herr OTTENDoRFER will support no candi-
date for Mayor who is not sound on the
lager beer issue, and az proof of his sound
ness the candidate must enter under "bind-
ing obligations" to array himself on the
side Of lager beer by forswearing himself
If he is elected and takes the oath of office.
Tho trouble with Herr OTTENDoRFER's
tremendous lager beer issue Is that 1t would
cause the practical notification of the cleo.
tion. No Mayor could enter under the
"binding obligations" Herr OrrENDoRFER
insists in imposing on him without subject
ing himself to impeachment, so that all the
trouble of electing him ON the momentous
lager beer issue would have been wasted.
The Citizens Union clique have carved
out as an issue the irresponsibility of a
Mayor, save to his own conscience only.
He Is to be elected solely on his personal
goodness. That is, he Is to be elected on
faith, as a "ruler by Divine right" The
Citizens Union issue may DO described,
therefore, as faith against party. 1t Ger.
tainly has the distinction of novelty; but as
1t does violence TO our political System of
party, and not individual government, it
must be excluded from a vulgar contest.
and be reserved for the private delectation
Of the elect, unique, and Site Goo Goo soul.
Meantime, the real issue forged by the
developments of politics remains immov-
able. 1t is Organism, and the moro the
ingenuity of shifty politicians is exhausted
in efforts to smotherit 1t, the larger, the moro
dominant, and the moro portentous 1t be-
comes. 1t is too big to be hidden by any
toy issue they can manufacture, though
they expend all their time upon the task
between now and next November.