New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-12
CANAL REFORMS.

The Republican party of Newly York faces
tremendous responsibility in undertaking to re-
form the canal management. Nothing that Is
likely to happen in the State administration III
the next TWO years will have greater Influence
OIL the future prospects of the party than the
public opinion formed concerning the success or
the Republicans in righting the wrongs III canal
work The ordinary responsibility 10 conduct
affairs honestly and ably is doubled by the cir
culnstanccs under which the Republicans are
continued in power. They are. so to speak put
on their good behavior There can he no doubt
that a large majority of the voters believe that
the canal enlar gement was ScandaiOusly mSman-
aged but thcy said to the Republicans; Rather
than set Croker to reforming your bad work.
wei give you another chance. If the Kepup-
lcans are warned and bring forth fruits meet
for repentance they may hope for popular ap-
proval in 1900. If they diSappo.nt popular eX-
pectatlon they will leopardize if not utterly ruin
their prospects in this State.
As Colonel Roosevelt recently told his fellow
Republicans they can ruin his administration
by letting politics stand in the way of giving him
hearty support in Furnishing rascals and reform
Ing abuses. In no place is there greater need OF
party self restraint than i'll the department OF
Public Works, and il is to be hoped that what
ever recommendations the party organization
NAV be led TO make concerning that Depart
ment it will for its own sake be animated solely
by desire TO redeem its reform pledges and
avoid all temptation 10 minimize reorganization
there OF the most radical kind, even If ii does
injuriously affect friends and supporters The
natural tendency of politicians in such case Is
u punish positive wrongdoing, but to perpetuate
the political features of a system under which
the wrCngdoing occurred, so far as they can be
of use to the party and are not distinctly dis
honest But that will not do IN this case ana
no Superintendent of Public Works, no matter
how honest and respectable he may be- will be
of service TO Governor Roosevelt or the party
who does not bring to the administration of the
canals an entirely new spirit and purpose. His
aim must De thOroughsong reform without re-
gard to politics There are doubtless many men
employed on The canals who have never stolen
ANYTHING who ar(, latter ALL not in office to
serve public but private and political ends. The
superintcndent who is trying to use the office
for politics, even honest politics II is to DC
conceded that many honest men have played pol
itics in oi,ice--ls sure 70 think OF the poi''ica
ASPECT Of the employment Of these men. That
might be endurable under ordinary crcum
stances We do not believe that policy the best
one. bu, II is one which has much prevailed and
beea honesty defended by honorable men. Bu
o,dln,ry circumstances DO not now confront th'
ReDublican party. Mere following IN the old
noliijcal track without creating scandal Is moi
enough 10 win good opinions shaken by paS'
scandals The canal administration must DC
conspicuousy good and above criticism or Il
will be counted as positively bad. The sus
picion Of the canals being used for politics now
Is worse than The reality at other times. Tha
10 one Of the penalties the party pays for III
past mistakes in giving the canals mp 10 poltl