New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-11
THE EXTRA SESSION.

DISPATCHES from Albany and admissions by
local statesmen returned from wrestling with
the elections problem tend TO confirm the I'M
preston that no way Will be found at the extra
session to change the present arrangements.
The Spokesman Of the Republican Machine in
this city want. or pretend to want. reorsail-
jZation Of the Police Board. The Governor Is
reported to be as firm as ever in his refusal TO
recommend that project to the Legislature,
which, of course. can initiate nothing while still
disposed TO think that some new body OF election
officers ought to be created for the purpose or
preventing Tammany frauds at the polls. Some
rural Republicans. including Senator Ranes'
are said TO be hankcring after vast election
establ shment which will make patronage
highly important factor in November. and some
Of their local brethren seem to be Wiling 10
have a grab at such a blg as that But re-
spectacle sentiment throughout the state ap-
pears to us to be strcngt hcning against al arti-
fetal measures for dealing with evils which
have grown inevitably out OF the abominable
compact by which this city was turned over to
Tammany administration. or course. no
man can safely predict what cunning manp-
ulation of legislative forces may accomplish
during the next few days. but at the present
moment the prospect IS clearly unfavorabc for
amendments either Of that precious document
the charter or Of the elections laws.
In our opinion this unfavorable prospect is
q cheerful one. The Governor Is unqucstion-
ably right in refusing his consent to the police
REORGANIZATION scheme. which. in spite of Mr.
Abelrs appointment and Mr. Hess's partial re-
Mobilization. the Machine leaders in this city
continue to announce a. the Republican policy
With respect for his intentions. we still think
that the Governor is wrong in his cDdcavOr 10
snpersede the existing election machinery. II
Is impossible 10 frame bill which would not be
complicated and costly in operation. and which
would not appear to a multitude Of voters 10
Involve an arbitrary Interference with the natu
raj working Of local governments lawfully in
stalled by pODular vote. We do not think that
the Governor ia bound to undertake the task
which he has not yet succeeded even IN fornu
latng II there were no practical difficulties
In the way, he might well be- warned by this
greedy talk Of patronage against an enterprise
which at the best would be Of doubtful utility
and which would probably develop gross scan
dals between now and Election Day.
The people Of this State, as Governor Black
well knows are not enamoured of the material
and political results of the distribution Of
patronage There is an impressive Illustration
under the public eye at this moment of the
melancholy operations Of the patronage sys-
TEN. and the Governor must be at least rs al
tentve and dissatisfied an observer OF II as any
other citizen This whole canal business has
been a riot OF patronage. which was expected
to he Of great benefit politically to those who
controlled it and through them 10 the Kcpub-
lean party. Does anybody. contemplating the
history of the canal improvement, now really
think that the Republican parry is stronger be
cause Of the interests which Mr.. Aldridge has
been diligently taking care Of during the last
two years? In our Judgment the party has bad
Just about as much patronage as II can stand
up under.
OF course. Tarmany's Intentions regarding
the election are dishonest. They always have
been The fact was never better known or
more emphaticaly proclaimed than during the
campaign Of 1897. when the Republican Ma
chine leaders who are now whmpcr!ng were
impudcnt and successful in their troachery
The Governor will do well to let the object
lesson derived from that performance sink into
the public mind and produce It's legitimate Of
feet.