New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-31
DOWN WITH THE BOSSES
WARNING OF, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE
OF CIvICS

IT'S NEw YORK COUNCIL ISSUES Az ADDRESS 70
THE PEOPLE AND CALLS FOR PRIM,RF
ErroRM-A COMMITTEE TO co
TO ALBANY
Tho Nov York Council Of the American Insti-
tute Of GIVES held meeting on SATURDAY even
ing AT No e Eas' Twcnty-third- Inere were
present George f. Seward, Charles +. Adams
Edward pavson cone. Henry Randall Waite
Colonel H. ~ Adams William IRWIN MARI"
and others The address and preamble win 'ne
resolutions given herewith. reported py John
Elderkin from the Committee on PRIMARY f'-
form were unanimously adopted commit
tee Of Five consisting of the president "i 'ne
Council the secretary and the treasurer ana
George r. Seward and Charles r Adams was
appointed To take active steps toward making
the influence Of the institute felt in the eh"rt 10
procure good primary reform measure. ms
committee will go to Albany The address IS as
follows:
Under republican Government when derIyc.
it's Just powers from the consent OF the goveins,n
and it's Initiative in an matters concerning me
public welfare from the expressed "lHn's OF ~
~ 9pe IT is primary duty OF a., ~ nbbaid
the proper authorities in the exercise Of helr funG
tiGns. II Is equally their duty 10 nodn 1Ios' Id IL
office TO u strict accountability. 10 expose fndIau
mnistratOn. fraud ana corruption an" ~
ate and punish those who have BETRAYED mn
trust ard discredited and injured the common"
The above will be readily assenied to. but IN"
question Will be- asked. How can II be done l n,
boards Of observation-disclosures ana representative bod
les more or less independent with checks ana
trates robbed 81 power and responsibility the pr
vato citizen Is practically pow,rcss ,pn neonIo
Means whrh nao Dec ~ theip pesponsbilitos
n,,.i and IN inn Q public
ton have not been heretofore successful. ny ~
,iding responsibility and stripping our Goyerpo sIr
slibordnaies TO hold Office during good behavior
we have created bosses and machines irresponi,
the place Of tho people toward thosf lntrus,sn
chlnery 10 self-seekine and subseryent spoilsm
are Synonymous with power. and whose insurer
able arrogance Is insulting 70 communities OF tree-
men BY their compact organizations boldnesS
on tho part Of tho people. dictate nominations. OK
local and state governments rrofigate ana mem
What is needed is method Of making nom ni,a,
tions more Immediately dependent on me acr,"n
sion Of Mr.. Lincoln that you could fool part OF
m people s all N bG n e n8 bt that YOU could NOT
fool all the people all the time W men me PUBL publ,
Is satsed tna' he man rs on made dependen,
on the people whom he is 10 serve ne VIII hnd y
mnreiv depends on boss ana his tools pres
ont such men a re tho favoritas and gravitate INTO
public Offices by virtue Of their own unnfness i.
In view Of these facts the New York Council OF
the American Institute Of Cjvics presents for me
information and consideration OF those inirus,ed
with the task OF primary reform the iollo"lhs
preamble and resolutions
Whereas The objects and purposes OF the Amer
can Institute OF Civics the promotion, by al Ieslt
innate means OF good citizenship. and OF all that
makes for good citizenship as the active partlcipa-
on In public affairs and politics OF all citizens me
freedom and purity OF the ballot the simpincatlon
Of tho nomination Of good candidates for ONCE ny
improved primaries. making action m these pri-
maries a easy. convenient and necessary part OF
the citizens duty voting az elections ana IN all
ways 20 relieve the public Of ho-ssm machine
motives in the control OF parties in defiance OF the
majority 81 good citizens. therefore
ResolI Cd. That this council Of the American IN,
s-itute Of CivicS l. earnestly opposed 70 any Dill
which may NJ prepared or introduced into the Legs.
iature OF the State which Is In any way calculated
those who grossly outrage public sentiment. and
sacrifice the best interests Of all our cltlzers oN
throwing the powers OF government into the hands
of corrupt spOilsmen. from whom nothing can ne
expected bur on education. public decency good
morals property rights and independent non-par-
isan action in municipal affairs 10 when tlls IN
sfitute is pledged. and
Resolved That this Council OF the American Insti-
tue % Civcs t. unalterably opposed 10 the arrogant
dictation Of bosses Of Whatever parties. regarding
the same as an insult TO freemen ana contrary 10
the genius Of free institutions. threatening the
These consideration constituting grave menace
20 popular government make II the imperative duty
Of this Council body o. educated ana patriotlc
citizens utter warning cry and 10 consecrate
rs best endeavors to- bring - naught the machna-
lions Of INSCRIPTIONS usurpers Of political power