New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-30
THE 1RtBuNE AND TIE SESSION.


. On reviewing the events of the legislative
session Just concluded The Tribune is led to
indulge what we think is a pardonable pride
In its record as an advocate Of policies of gen
sra benefit 10 the people and calculated to
promote the true honor and success OF the Re-
publican party II is easy TO adopt the policy
I Of commencing offhand everything bearing
: party label That is what James Parton once
/ declared editors were for in the scheme Of the
Tammany school Of politics and it must be
admitted that the old Burr-Nan Buren, notion Of
political machines and Of the function OF news
papers 10 be their obedent and not too curious
servants has found sympathizers in the Repub-
lican party. The men who manage legislation
generally do not like what Mr.. Greenwood, Of
Wayne, calls newspaper clamor." useful
Republican paper 10 their mind is one that is
prepared TO forget that there is any day Of
party reckoning. any duty TO the people and
Is ready through thick and thin TO hail every
act Of theirs no matter how unwise or how
se6shly dictated, as inspired, and not 10 be
questioned except at the risk of charge of
treason.
That is not, however, The Tribunes concep-
ton of a faithful Republican paper. We do
not believe that our duty is merely to persuade
voters that white Is white, and perhaps even
that black Is white, when they come 10 scru-
tinize the party record. We think that our
duty is rather TO see that the party record Is
white. Such work does not please politicians
with selfish schemes which they hope to jam
through by affixing Republican label to them
but we are convinced that nothing is more
essential TO strong political party able to
secure the peoples confidence and win cleo
tons and make good use Of power than party
press watchful and warning against party mis-
takes. The newspaper echo of the opinions and
arguments, conferences and caucuses may
serve the schemes of the political manipulators
but not the great ends for which party ex-
lists.
The Tribune has had occasion this year 10
criticse some propositions which seemed to
be booked for passage as Republican party
measures, and TO urge several pieces of legisla-
ton that the Organization" was apparently
reluctant 10 advance. We do not mean to
End fault with the organization on that ac-
count. The wisest political leaders with the
best of motives may make mistakes In legsla-
ton, and while maintaining the duty Of party
newspaper to point out such mistakes We
should be the last TO refuse TO them the same
liberty in devising laws as we assert for our
<6elves In discussing tnem. Inere were many
reasons which made radical interference with
the New.York police seem desirable to the Re-
publican leaders. 1t was natural that they
should not see the objections to the plan, but
we are convinced that carrying IL out could
only have brought misfortune to the Repub-
slican party, and we are proud TO have helped to
save it from that danger. Similarly with re-
gard to the Commission in Lunacy most I'M
fortunate blunder might have been innocently
made to the party's detriment but for the same
watchfulness and independence.
Looking over the results of the session we
see much evidence OF the usefulness and ef-
fectiveness Of such independence, for in the
main the sober second thought Of the Legls-
lature has conceded with our opinions. AS
we had urged, the temptation TO extreme par
tisan measures was resisted, the people OF
Amsterdam-ave. were protected, starch" was
put back in the Civil Service law franchises
. were taxed, and reform removing State In
etitutions from the too exclusive subservience
& 20 local interests was begun In the case Of the
Eimira Reformatory. Also the granting Of a