New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-05
PARTY EYPEDJEECY.

A good deal has been heard in the last few
days about the duty of the leaders of the Re
publican organization of this city 10 preserve
that body intact regardless Of the welfare of
the people who dwell here. 1t might be highly
unfortunate to have Tammany hold sway it
might be sad that the opportunity Of having
SO excellent Mayor as Mr. Low could not be
improved but the Republican organization owed
a duty TO the country. 1t must not yield 10 in
dependent sentiment, nor permit this city to be
governed by a Mayor free from partisan re-
sponsblity, lest ii should weaken itself and be
less DOtent to rcpel the forces Of anarchy. Let
us put aside all moral questions, all consldera-
tons of duty toward the citizens Of New-Iork
who wish honest municipal administration, and
all righteous Indignation at the idea OF deliver
ing three million people to Tammany for tie
sake of snatchlng organization advantage from
Marty defeat Let us consider the question pure
" as one of Republican expcdiency VIII the
party get more by taking the only open road TO
defeat Tammany, or by standing aside to let
Tammany into office?
In the first place the Republican Is generally
a minority party in the city. and often IN the
State. and 1t fails in the Nation whenever the
majority Of the floating vote turns against 1t.
In other words 1t has power in city, state or Ma
ton only as ii draws 10 Itself voters who 10 not
follow it through thick and thin. If the organ
ization would plan its course for the future II
should look out for future majoritles Suppose
II Is convinced that It would be no better off
under a non-partisan than under Tammany
Mayor and concludes to court defeat to pre-
serve its defiant independence Of outside public
opinion. What will be its position as political
organization next year! 1t Is safe to say that
not until Tammany rule became once more so
uncomfortable as to cause a political revolution
would any Republican candidate ever get an
independent vote in this city. The party would
doom Itself to years OF minority existence IN the
city and ALLEVIATE thousands of voters whose sup
mort is needed in the State. As force for sound
money protection or office getting it would have
robbed itself of the ballots which form the mar
gin between victory and defeat.
Then there is another phase OF the question
Tammany rule in this city. as Republican con-
ventIons have frequently charged, has been in
the past the means Of robbng the Republican
marty OF many victories. Time and time again
have fraudulent counts here defeated the party
I'm the State SO far was this fraud recoS
nized as the usual thing that IN old times the
Republicans never hoped 10 carry the State I'M
less they could roll up country majority So
large that It made no difference how the city
vote was counted. Under the non-partisan ad'
mInistration Of Mayor Strong the Republican
voters OF this city have had their ballots fairly
canvassed, and to-day the party is strong here
Under another non-part!san Mayor !; would
have the same advantage. Under Tammany II
would have to prepare again to be defrauded ana
made impotent in the city and then in the
State. More Maynards might make fraudulent