New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-12
THE NTNICIPAL DEBATE.

If tho municpal election next November Is to
be carried by the advocates of good government,
who believe that the separation OF munlclpal
from National politics is essential preliminary
10 the accomplishment Of the end in view, there
will have to be a great mlny concessions made
on all hands. and some very prominent, influ-
entail and active persons. whose earneStness and
conscientiousness are beyond question, Will find
II necessary 10 sacrifice their preconceptOns,
preiudices and prepossessions for the sake of the
cause. In view of this obvious necessity cti-
zens who not only have positive convictions upon
measures and men, but have the habit also OF
giving them dogmatic expression without reser-
walton or restraint will do well TO put check
on their exuberance. In the effort to establish
the new order Of things large body of voters
who have no bond of political union and no
Doint of contact, but who have hitherto been
widely separated and hostile to each other, must
be brought together and persuaded to act har-
moniously and cooperate for the common cause.
Old differences will have TO be laid aside and
personal dislikes kept in allegiance, if not en-
tirely overcome; men who have fought against
each other must forget former hostility and its
causes and line themselves up against the COM
mon foe This is the important thing 10 be
borne In mind in the discussion of policies, meth
DDS and candidates antecedent to organized
action. All other considerations are subordi-
nate TO the necessity for unity and cooperation.
All this has been said before. but the occa-
sion is so important. the necessity for harmo-
Nous action so obvious, and the danger OF
fatal blunders through overZeal and lack OF tact
40 constantly recurring that II cannot be too
often rspeated. The discussion at its present
stage relates almost entirely to candidates. Its
usefuness appears in the fact that it has already
brought to public attention a number Of names
of influential citizens, whose merits and quail
ificatIons will undergo wholesome scrutiny in
the interval between this time and the calling
OF the convention for making formal nomna-
tons This Is both fitting and proper. 1t ac-
cords with the purpose Of the movement and the
sentiment that animates it; It's objective being
the establishment Of a system OF municipal gov
eminent in which all the people have really
voice in cOntradstiDctiOn 10 the old and dis
credited system in which few machine man
Ayers selected the candidates without consulta-
ton with the voters opportunity for debate.
Nor is II a bad sign that politicians who are not
citizens Of the new municipality are taking an
interest and participating in the general debate
now on The contributions Of Messrs. Plat, OF
Owego; Fassett, OF Elmira, and Hackett, or
Utica certainly Go no harm. but add to the
liyeliness of the discussion. Their views are
Interesting, even II they do not much iumi-
nate the situation.
What Is most necessary TO guard against Is
too early and too positive cOmmittals on the
question Of candidates or the policy to be pur-
sued II the movement is to be successful as
already said. great many concessions must be
made and a great many prejudices conquered.
In this The Tribune expects to do Its share.
1t will work in harness with politicians whose
Views upon other subjects It entirely disapproves
and condemns. 1t will not be disturbed even
II II finds men in line with itself on this ques-
ton whose sincerity it doubts and whose mo
lives II has reason to believe are selfish and bad