New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-19
THE CITIZENS UNION.

The decision or the CltllenS CHioh 'o hoiin
n permanent organization Is the logcal out
come Of the recent election. The Republican
doctrine OF municipal non-partisanshlp re-
ceived 10000 votes in this city, ana EVIL
IDENTIFY has n hold on the conscences or peo-
pie that commands systematic effort Tor JUS
safeguarding and further spread. The organ
ization that attempts this work VIII, OF course
be looked upon as an enemy by the llatt ma
chine which, rather than obey the party pat
form and sec n Republican pledged TO the con-
sidcration Of local questions without regard
TO National politics In the Mayors chair, pre-
ferred TO turn this city over to the tender mer-
cies Of Tammany Hall. But with that organl-
cation the great body OF loyal Republicahs
have no quarrel If 1t confines Itself to Its
proper functions MS a guardian OF local inter-
ess II will simply be obcying the spirit OF tho
Constitution formulated by Republicans, ana
carrying out the promises Of tho Republican
State and city platforms. which the failure or
the Republican machine to regard has com
PEELED Individual Republicans to fight Tor
through outside agency.
II the party organization had given Its ad-
heson to the non-partisan principle, instead OF
lighting desperately against 1t since 1874 ana
announcing last spring that II would prefer
Tammany Mayor TO one pledged 10 administer
the government solely with view TO the
clty's interest. all honest Republicans and,
we believe, the great majority Of independent
Democrats would have been glad TO trust TO
It's machinery Of nomination and campaigning
as the most available one 10 promote an OBJ
tcct 10 which II and they were pledged In com
mon. But when the machine. under Plaos
dictatlon, declared that II meant to make the
city government an instrument OF partisanship,
and would nominate no man except one
pledged to make the requirements OF the or
ganizatlon the rule OF his official conduct IL
compelled all men who believed that IN" party
was not Juggling with words in the State ana
city conventions Of 1894 TO seek some other
outlet for local political activity. As the Re
publican machine has In no wise departed from
its attitude Of hostility 10 Republican princi-
pies, and has given no indication 10 voters
that II Will show any respect TO their demands
that the organization In municipal contests
shall be devoted 10 the election OF officers
pledccd 10 the conduct OF the public service
on n non partisan basis, and Will support them
in keeping that pledge inter election. there
exists no ground OF union between Republl-
cans for principle and the men who have Sc
cured control Of the party machinery. Tho re-
suit OF the Mayoralty Tight left questions or
doctrine lust where they were last spring. when
| Mr. Plat and Mr.. Lauterhach repudiatcd Re
| publican Platforms and the Citizens Union Is
bound 10 continue It's work 10 protect the poo
| pie OF this city from the evils which the Con
| stltution recognizes as inherent in an admins
tration concerned with external questions.
The next election OF n Mayor Is four years
| off. but the Citizens Union has much practical
work Immediately before t. II Is evidently
the chief reliance Of the people OF New-York
! against vicious legislation and administrative
corruption, for the Republican machine has de-
! llbcratcly put Tammany In Office, and cannot
! be expected TO check the rapacity OF It's bene-
| nclaries On the contrary, the Platt organ
| openly rcjoices In the prospect OF free-handed
! partisan rule in the city. Croker and Plat
unite in expressing hearty contempt for In
| dependence in politics, and they can be trusted
! 10 unite their forces ut Albany and New-York
for common profit There Is need Of nm ng-
grosaive agency 10 defeat their Vaccinations
now and educate n public sentiment TO re-
| deem the city four years hence. The mngnn'
cent vote OF 10000 which the Citizens Union
held against the combined power OF the bosses
! IS It's encouragement and It's warrant for future
| labor.