New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-26
mr.. HACKETTS SUCCESSOR.

In the selection Of a chairman TO ill the VA
cancy caused by the death OF Mr.. Hackett the
Republican State Committee or whoever Is re-
sponsble for It's action, has an opportunity to
render in a quiet and inoffensive, but effec-
tive. way great service to the Republican
party. 1t is perhaps needless to say, on the
other hand, that 1t has the power which 1t Will
be sorely tempted to exercise, to do the party
serious mischief; imperilling Its future useful
ness II not indeed insuring It's defeat The
essentially important question for consideration
In making this selection IS not one OF individ-
uals, but Of party policy. That question Is not
a mere abstraction, but Is coldly concrete and
easily defined. In a nutshell, 1t Is whether the
machinery Of Republican organization In this
State shall be used for or against the Demo
cratic party. If 1t Is TO be used as the Repub-
lican Machine of this county was in the last
election. by indirectiOn, by chcanery and IN
trgue, to promote Democratic success, Mr..
Hacketts successor will be chosen on account
of his devotion to faction and the singlcness
OF purpose with which he seeks TO perpetuate
discord and dissensOn within the party, while
the opposition prohting, as It did last year, by
Republican disorganization, marches into power.
But II the policy Of the leaders Is to use the
organization machinery against the Democratic
party, In accordance with It's legitimate func-
tons and the purpose OF It's creation. Mr.. Hack
ett's successor will be a man who always and
every W here sets party above faction; who, with
out being a special favorte OF any faction
or clique. has the confidence Of the mass or
Republican voters: who knows that the essen
tial prerequisite to success Is unity OF purpose
and harmonious action and who VIII not be
swerved from an intelligent, aggressive and
uncompromising campaign against the enemy
in front by the petty disputes and personal
chickering's Of the disconnected and unruy in
his own camp. No one who knows anything
Of current political conditions can fail to recog-
nize the absolute necessity for Republican unity
and harmony In this State In order to carry
the Congressional and State elections next No
vember No one Is so shortsighted or silly ns
to pretend that anything but defeat awaits the
perpetuation of the factiOnalism which proved
50 fatal to the party in this city last Novem-
ber A divided Republican party In the State
at the next election will do for the opposition
what Republican division did for 1t last Novem-
Der in this city. The only hope Of Democracy.
in fact, Is In Republican dlssenson.
Are these considerations worth taking into
account In connection with the selection Of a
chairman for the Republican State Committee?
1t seems to US that they are; more than that
that they are vital. 1t is because Of our firm
conviction upon this point that we take leave
to call them to the attention Of the leaders upon
whom the responsibility Of the choice will rest
We do not lose sight of the difficulties in the
way. OF candidates representing fractional mar
rowness, personal rivalries, the perpetuaton Of
feuds and continuance Of discord there will be