New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-08

the proposed action Naturally. "The Albany
Journal leads off in responding to The MIS-
ters" reQuisiton. Its explanation or the sltua-
ton Is no less ingenious than Its justihcation
Of the measure is ingenious IT begins by say
ing that the Republican party has undoubtedly
lost many of its voters in NcwYork ana hlngs
counties on account Of the excise law, ana that
the localoptlon amendment has been suggested
lin difference TO the sentiment which has been
expressed loudly in all OF the large cities. Ihat
is to say: This is not matter Of principle Mt
"all. but of votes. We have lost votes on ac-
count of the law in the large cities. Let us
get them back by taking the starch out OF the
law" Objections are anticipated. OF course,
and here IS what 1t says on that head The
clergy and the "ulira-religious laity'' will read
it with interest:
The suggestion that Sunday opening be made
possible at all will probably meet with strong
opposition from the clergy. the total abstinence
people and the ultra religious laity; but THESE
classes should remember that this IL a govern
ment Of the people and that IL the people Oh tiie
city OF New-York want to have the saloons open
upon SUNDAY they a~e entitled probably TO tnat
privilege The remedy which the Church snouiu
use ought not to be legislative but moral. IL
should exert its effor; TO get the people or me
city of NewYork to vote against the proposit'o,
for the opening Of the saloons upon SUNDAY al
ether than church hours.
Clever. isn't it? The "ntra-religious laity,
remembering that this Is government or the
people" may next be called upon TO approve OF
submitting the question OF gambling or other
kindred vices TO local option. And the Church'
when this comes to pass. will have an oppor'
tunty-at which il should rejOice-to get the
people of the city to vote against the PROPOSE
ton" How ingenious this Is, to be sure. But
the most brilliant part of this studied defence
of the proposed measure is in the statement mat
"bv submitting this proposition to the people
"the Republican party does not commit Itself
Gin any wav shape or manner to Sunday open
ing but il distinctly declares that IT VIII no
"longer be held responsible by large number
'of the people in the counties of New-l ork anu
"Kinys who seem 10 feel that il exists III TINS
state simply To make life TO them unbearabie
upon the Sabbath day" Moreover. to remove
all objections. The Journal says. with the
Plat organ in this city, that il is a serious ques-
tjon whether the option would he accepted Al
any rate il would be Interesting as a study or
political morals"
The long and short Of /; is that, nowihsand-
ING the Republican party of this state stands
committed to "the maintenance OF the sunday
laws in the interest of labor and morality,
Republican Legislature is asked to pass ana
RopubIican Governor to approve measure
which submits 10 the voters in the large cities
where the Democrats are in n majority the
question whether they will maintain or abrogate
them It's a fine scheme.
And. mind Won. this absolute sacrifice Of prin
ciple IS made and this wretched pa Tor Vo'es
offered in plain view of the fact that u VIII
drive away thousands of votes up the stare ana
will not win enough in Ncw-iork TO MI an East
Side barroom or crowd the PRISONERS pen Oh
police court And the charm OF II Is mat 'he
"Republican party does not commit itselr IN any
"wav shape or manner to Sunday opening.
Oh il doesn't, 1t lodges responsibility does
il: Is that what Plat and Qugg are educal
ing the party up to: 1t used to have the cour
age Of its convictions. We believe II mas SUI"