New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
THE NEW ENROLMENT.

The distinct issue raised by the Committee OF
Fifty-three in the movement which they have
so successfully initiated is the same that the
Republican majority in the last Constitutional
Convention brought 10 the front and made prom
inent in the constitutional provision separating
local from State and National elections. The
deliberate purpose Of that separation was en-
phasized in the address submitted by the Re
publican majority. in which they said: I'VE
seek 70 separate in the larger cities municipal
elections from the State and National cleo
"tions 10 the end that the business affairs OF
"our great municipal corporations may be man
"aged upon their own merits. uncontrolled by
National and State politics" This address
bore date September %. 1894. On October
following the Republican County Committee
formally adopted the principle therein set forth
in resolution which said I'VE denapa that
"the public service of this city be conducted
ION a strictly non-partisan basis. We appeal TO
"the people of this city to cast aside party
prejudice and 10 combine with us in a deter
"mined effort 10 elect candidates chosen solely
with reference 70 their ability and integrity
'and pledged to conduct the affairs OF this city
ION a strictly non-partisan basis and who will
"as far as may be in their power insure good
government 10 The city Of New-York" That
was Republican doctrine in 1894. 1t Is now.
II has never been recanted. never modified or
changed in the slightest degree. Upon it the
city was carried and the Tammany candidates
were defeated in 1894.
Immediately after the election Thomas G..
Platt had the assurance 10 call upon Mayor
Strong 10 betray the voters who had given him
their support on the strength of these profess
with hio npr-
sistence, was that the Mayor should turn his
back upon the principle thus clearly enunciated
and proceed 10 administer the municipal gov
eminent on a purely partisan basis for the nd
vantage of the Republican machine. With this
end in view he insisted upon his right the
machine leader 70 name the men for the munic-
ipal Offices and that the Mayor should appoint
them without question. Never was there so
open and brazen demand upon a public off
cial that he should betray his trust and cheat
his constituents. The Mayor unhestatingly
spurned the solicitation and refused compliance
with the demand. That was the signal for open
war on the part Of MIR. Platts county machine
against Mayor Strong's administration. No Sc
cret was made of the cause OF It. IT was be-
cause Mayor Strong would not administer in
The interest of the Republican machine an office
10 WHICH ne was elected upon me express I'M
Outstanding with the voters that he would not
so administer IT that Plat did all In his power
10 hamper his administration through his control
Of the Legislature. and pursued him with vim
dlctive bitterness In the columns Of his personal
organ. "The New-York Sun"
Later Mr. Edward Lauterbach whom Plat
had made president Of the Republican County
Committee, openly and publicly proclaimed the
guiding principle Of that organization when ne
said: Better have as Mayor a true Democrat.
'even a Tammany Democrat. than n man re
"sponsible TO no party and with no party be-
hind him." That this was An absolute re-
versal Of the principle enunciated by the Con
stitutional Convention and explicitly avowed by
the County Committee in October 1891, is too
plain TO need pointing out On that principle,
amplined and emphasized with constant itera.
ton and reiteration. the Republican County