New-York tribune., 1898-11-16
UiSCREEITEU LEADERSHIP.

The Republican party in Brooklyn did not
make a good showing at the recent election, anu
there is much questioning and searching OF
hearts to know the reason why. The result APP
pears 10 he a general agrcemen, on the part
OfeevcrybOdy except the campaign leaders them
selves that The campaign leaders were at faut
aud that the ticket suffered through their 'lll-
popularity with voters. This may be highly
unjust 20 the campaign managers. Perhaps
il l. not true that Their way of answering q'es-
lions of doubtful voters was TO shove campaign
buttons n them. Perhaps it was unfair for Il
wealthy citizen 20 limit his contribution to Mr..
Dadys committee TO S. on the ground that he
did not feel safe in intrusting 10 IL any larger
fund. Perhaps the voters were undu!y sus-
picous and reSentful over past differences.
The leaders themselves may answer that the
kichers do not attend primaries. and that in
their policy they represent the majority or
those who do attend primaries. But neither the
injustice Of the suspicion nor the truth Of the
answer meets tho situation so far as the future
Of the Republican party In Kings County is
concerned The business Of campaign man
ayers is not Ia live down suspicion in official
station nor merely 10 represent the sort of poll
ties that can carry IL caucus. but To win vic
tories by commencing their organization 10 the
favor of the voters If they cannot do this or
viii nor do this they should retire.
The vote Of BrOoky yn makes il perfectly evil
den. thar the Republican voters OF Brooklyn
are not satisfied with the management OF the
party there. No other explanation will III the
case in face Of the magnificent vote OF other
sections OF the State. Not in many years have
the Republicans made so poor a showing III
Kings County. yet there are more Repubncans
there than ever before, more people who in
general favor Republican policy and with prop
or encouragement will vote the Republican
ticket Their refusal To sustain what they re-
gard as unfit party management. and the in
dependence Of their voting shown in the
case OF individual candidates. Is rather testi-
mony to their political ncrtncss than 10 their
apathy. They evidently did not Ike the party
situation in Kings County. and they meant to
show If with the same emphasis that al other
times they had shown their readiness 10 sup
port the party organization
viii the organization learn its lessOn: VIII
it face the fact that It's business is TO draw
every voter of Republican leanngs to it. or
will il be content with serving the purposes OF
the men who can carry caucuSes: II is per
hars not tho fault Of some men high in the
councils of the orga nZatOn that their names
have been dragged into unpleasant transac-
tions from the time Of McKane to the recent
contract scandals that many men will give no
aid 10 a movement engineered by them. If so.
that IS their misfortune But the Republican
party should not bc made TO suffer, as Colonel
Roosevelt suffered. through their unpopularity.
even if it is undeserved. If they have been
wronged. and are pure patriots seeking only
the welfare Of the Republican party. they can
best prove It by strengthening the Republican
uartv at the cost Of little self sacrifice.