New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-27
NEGLECT OE ENROLMENT.

The small number Of names enrolled so far
under the new Primary law may be accounted
for in part by the fact that various political
committees have large bundles OF afidavts
which they are holding to file at one time when
they have finished their work Of collecting. II
has been said that the machine was deliberately
following this policy with a view to confound-
ing its critics. but probably both sides are sole
iting enrolments and delaying the filing Of
them. so no conclusion can be drawn as 10
the strength which either machine men or anti
machine men are likely to have, or as to which
will need TO make extraordinary efforts before
the enrolment closes Neither faction can rely
on bringing In q batch of voters at the last
when the strength of the opposition is known,
for the other side can pursue the same tactics.
The only thing for anybody to do is 10 get all
the support possible.
The mere fact, therefore, that few names are
already on the books at the Bureau Of Elections
Is not Of ITSELF dscouraglng. What IS discour-
aging, however is the report Of politicians who
know more or less about the work being done
by the political committees that they are unable
to secure anything like the number Of names
desired 1t is one Of the unfortunate incidents
of war that it leads men to forget their ordinary
who stay at home more than ever careful 10 act
conscientiously and faithfully in all the rela-
lions which they hold to the State.
But 1t Is not the war alone which causes neg
lect Of this opportunity to make political parties
really responsive to public sentiment The
crowds which stand about the bulletin boards
and the people who neglect their usual work to
talk war are not those whose failure TO enroll
no
doctors and the merchants who have not al
tered their daily habits in the least, who go 10
their offices every day, read their morning and
evening papers with war news no more regu-
larly or attcntlvely than they read the same pa
pers with stock quotations and reports of pollt-
zeal conventions and legislative proceedings,
who 60 TO church. 10 the theatre. to dinners
Just as they always have done These are the
men who complain that the parties are corrupt,
who at election time say this eminent citizen
should be made Governor or that one Mayor,
and wonder why they cannot secure such nomi-
nations They are anxious and indignant when
their anxiety and Indignation accomplish moth
ing but now when they can make themselves
tho arblters of party destiny they cannot be In
duced to take the least trouble.
II would have made no difference II there had
been 10 war. They would have been just as
elothful. Hitherto they have made excuse about
disorderly primaries and padded rolls Now
they have free way primaries under legal con-
troll and protected lists. Yet they still arc averse
TO active politics" They pref II TO growl and
leave the active workers of the baser sort to
outvote the respectable elements which have the
patriotism and energy TO try to secure good
nominations and enlightened policies. No war
excitement will excuse these people If they neg
lect to take the parties In hand when they have
a chance. If they do not they will deserve the
bad government which they invite.
Unfortunately though. better men than them