New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-31
t4tif -
A CONTRAST.

II IS less than six months ago that a campaign
was in progress in this city which divided the
voters on the question: Of municipal non-par-
tisanShlp. ThousanhS % Republicans loyal be-
levers in Protection and the gold standard and
ardent supporters Of President Mckinley, IA
vored non-partiSan municipal ticket as the
one having the best chance to give this city
good government and AS the only one which
could hope 10 gain enough votes In this natu-
rally Democratic community to prevent the
return Of Tammany 10 power. Against them
was arrayed the local Republican organization,
which, in the face Of repeated non-partisan
declarations Of Republican conventions in the
former cities Of the new municipality, asserted
that non-partisanshlp was a scheme of traitors
10 Republican principles, and that party duty
compelled ii, in spite OF all consequences to
fight the heresy, TO hold mp the standard Of
strict partisanshlp in city as we'll as IN State
and National affairs, and avowed preference
for n Tammany Mayor to n nonpartisan execu-
tive. The organization invoked the aid of out
oftown Republicans TO help fasten upon the
people of NewYork partisan rule Republican
If possible. Tammany an alternatve-and.
among others. appealed TO Frank s. Black, Gov
ernor OF New-York. To the call Governor Black
responded
For any man 20 refuse 70 DO his utmost now
would be treason. I will come.
And he did come. And on October 20 he
made a speech at Lenox Lyceum. in which he
said:
To attitude Of the Republicans of New-Yorl1
has now a meaning which | wish could be
waited to every citizen in this land. 1t would
strengthen those who have never fatered; 1t
would call back TO their senses those who are
tfa4ir
parisanship; II might even move the conscience
OF those whose vanity and indiscreton have
led them to sacrifice 10 their own ambition the
principles OF their party, and to be the means
perhaps Of retarding for many years the prog
ress OF society. / have never had conf
dence in political movements which pretended
to be free from politics. a creed that is worth
maintaining at all Is worth maintaining all the
time. conviction that is we'll founded Is
strong in repose as In times OF excitement. A
political belief that lasts only until danger seems
TO have passed is like religious fervor that
fades away when the revival is over. Back
sliders should occupy the same position In poll
tics that they do in the church. they should al
ways be welcome to return, but they should not
be permitted after each relapse 10 occupy the
pulpit. man who at crisis like this can be
a non-partisar cannot be safely trusted II he
IS not sincere his want OF candor should exclude
him: II he is sincere he is too weak to be clothed
with responsibility. Do not put your faith in
those who hide behind the pretence OF non-par-
tisanship. 1t is device to trap the thought
less and unsuspecting and to conceal a purpose
that Will not bear exposure.
That was said on October 20, 1897 On March
20, 1898, this same Frank S. Black. Governor
of New-York. put his signature to an act. IA
vored by himself and passed largely through
his influence, In relation to enrolment for DO
lltcal parties by which the following IS made
n part OF the statute law OF this State:
No organization or association OF citizens for
the election OF city officers shall be deemed q
political party within the meaning OF this act
and membership In any such organization or
association shall not prevent an elector from
enrolling with. and acting as member OF n
political party.
The attitude of the Republicans OF New Yor,
has now meaning which should be waited
TO every citizen Of this land II means that
work for honest politics carried on with ear
nestncss and determination can win. II means
tina. the party Is the voters, not the machine
and that the Will OF those voters can convince
even the most sceptical dsbelevers In their
principles. The backsldcrs who declined TO 90
with their party organization In n local par-
tisan struggle are not only welcomed back, but
occupy the pulpit and their doctrine OF mu-
niclpa non-partisanship Is not only accepted as
an edifying text, but is Incorporated into tho
canon OF party law The independent Repub