New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-25
PRIMARY IA VS..

IegislatIon IA generally an unsatisfactory In
t-,mont NJ reform We have no faith In either
the political or social morality that Is founded
on the statute law. The tendency TO seek IN
Albany a remedy for every Ill Is not only iru''-
less OF good results. but also the cause OF gen
eral forgetfuness OF the power and the respoh-
sibllty OF individual citizens as the primary
constituents OF the State and the ultimate
source of good or bad civilization regardless OF
the law books II the Republican organization
In this city IL 10 be made once more representa-
tive OF n united body OF voters. and capable or
winning victories, II must be by renaissance
of the old party spirit OF devotion 10 hiRh
ideals. So long as regular" Republican voters
are willing TO accept as practical politics the
use Of their party machinery Tor the levy Oh
blackmail so long ms cowardice holds suD-ieau-
ers bound to n disgraceful service that they
themselves desplse, the Republican party VIII
be at the mercy Of the boss the spokesman ana
the auctoneer OF law.
A party Is not an entity In Itself 10 be treated
as an 'instituton." II Is nothing but the EN-
bodimcnt Of the virtues and vices, the opinions
and aspirations Of the individuals who COM
nose H. All the legislation In the world Will
not bring back to the Republican organization
In this State its lost prestige except as II Is
accompanied by a renewed determination of
the great body Of Republicans collectively and
individually to hold their party and its leaders
true TO high and honest aims not to let any
personal advantage abate by one jot the
earnestness and strlctness OF that demand, and
to use to the full for good every power that
| can be gained by legislation and not to think
that their duty Is done with lcglslatng
Without such an awakening new machinery
| can be Of no USE but with 1t wise reorganiza-
| ton and legislative safeguards may be of In
| valuable assistance Indeed, II may bc said
| that without such aids even the most devoted
| Republican sentiment Is helpless, owing 10 the
| way the bosses nre intrenched by existing laws.
The old theory that government IL the direct
creature OF the people and primarily responsible
| TO them does not apply TO our present condition.
! Intermediates have been created. States within
| the State, which are recognized I'm the stat
utes and perform functions In the selection of
] officers from which the people have no appeal,
| they being permitted simply TO choose between
the sets OF officers proposed. This was well
! enough when the people controlled the inter
| nedlary machinery. But the law. while au-
thorizng the machines and giving them practl.
cal control OF the ballot, has neglected 10 make
the machines surely responsible 10 popular
sentiment. 1t has allowed them TO be domi-
mated by bosses, until some Of the Bosses like
| Mr.. Quigg, have concluded that an Intelligent
despotsm" is the natural order OF the universe,
| and then by making the organizations so doml-
| mated the arbiters of the State the law has
practically established despotlsm In place Of
popular rule. IL is the function OF legislation
to correct this, secure to the individual citizen
fair voice in the party, and so in the govern
ment Without that voice he is helpless. With
it he is himself 10 blame II he lets the party
be used by boss or blackmailer.
Before any effective work 10 strengthen the
party can be done the Legislature must throw
about the primaries all the safeguards now
thrown about elections, providing the same pen
alties for fraud and guaranteeing TO every clti
zen free vote and a fair count in the selec-
ton of candidates and the shaping OF policies
for the party which he intends TO support The
system Of primaries must be so reconstructed
that the popular sentiment Of the Republican
voters not the selfish likes or dlslikes of execu-
tive officers, shall determine nominations. II
Brooklyn Republicans want to nominate Seth
Low their choice must not be negatved by
tho announcement that 1.-THE organization' v