New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-21
THE OPEN DOOR TO NOMINATIONS.


One of the principal reasons brought forward
to overcome Mr.. Odelrs reluctance to run for
Governor is that no other candidate would stand
in his way and that only his nomination would
prevent rivalries up to the time of the conven-
ton This is probably true. Mr.. Odells posi-
ton in the State organization is such that no
body would attempt TO secure delegates In oppo-
sition to him if he enters the field At present
no other man can command the instant acqules-
cence Of politicians from every quarter of the
State. There might be a spirited contest be-
tween the friends of the several men mentioned
as available candidates which would only ter
inmate with the vote in convention, unless Mr..
Platt saw fit beforehand to terminate the race
by making choice among his supporters. This
he might not like to do Nevertheless we do
not think that Mr.. Odells ability to forestal the
entry of other asprants to the course is ade-
quate reason for forcing a nomination upon
him There may be other valid reasons why
he would make a good candidate With that
question we are not now concerned. But avoid
ance of an open rivalry in which the strongest
and most popular man would win If the organ
zation proclaimed n fair fight and no favor
and stood by it's word, is not one of them. The
idea that this is a consideration of Importance
proceeds from distorted conception of the pur-
pose Of nominating conventions.
1t is a new and by means healthful theory
of party organization that sees danger in open
party contests. 1t is the narrow proscriptive
doctrine of the most Objectionable machine rule
which tolerates only one regular or "organi-
cation" candidate for nomination, and classes
all rivals AS factionists. That is the doctrine
which makes a desert and calls 1t peace. Mr..
Platt tried to act upon 1t in 1896, when he used
the party machinery, which he controlled nomi-
nally as the representative of the whole body of
the Republicans to prevent them from support
ing Mr.. Mckinley and to punish as factonistS
those who in spite of his orders persisted in
work TO secure delegates in this State for Mr..
Mckinley. He did the same thing in 1897,
when the whole force Of the organization was
used to dragon the districts and delegates IN
this city into opposition to Seth Low, when If
Mr. Plat mad kept his hands off and left the
question freely to the Republican voters union
on Mr. Low would have been secured by a
large majority.
OF course, IL the organization is bound to
continue these prOscrptive methods, a course
reported not to be IN accord with Mr.. Odelrs
disposition as leader, 1t cannot afford any con
cessiOns to the open door policy in the making
of nominations. If Mr.. Plat has got to choose
the candidate, and will not keep hands off to the
end, the quicker he strangles the various in
FAINT booms the better. He would only make
hard feeling by starting half dozen men in
pursuit or the prize and then stepping in at
convention time to say who must have 1t. He
might better say whom he wants at the start
and keep the others out entirely, and if he has
a man, like Mr.. Odell in whose behalf it would
be a positive duty, not to say pleasure, for
others TO step aside, so much the better for
him. Nevertheless we do not think that is the
hest method 70 build up party and commend
it in an important election to the people whose
votes necessary to success.
A lively contest between the friends of Chair
man Payne. Justice Russell Lieutenant Gov
ernor Woodruff, Senator White, Speaker Nixon
and half dozen others TO secure not the decid-
ing wink of Mr.. Plat, but the support of uncon-
strained Republican primaries throughout the
Slate, would be glorious sign OF party strength
aud not an indication of weakness. And we
are not at all sure that it would not strengthen
Mr. Plat himself more effectually than the
pToscrIptive method he seems to prefer for no
man really Objectionable to him would deem it
worth while to enter the contest when the ac-
tive politicians all over the State are his sup
porters, however much they may differ in their
preferences for Governor This is a year when
New York Republicans need ali possible popu-
lar support and respect and we know of moth
ing which could do more to earn 1t for a State
ticket than n return to the old time Republican
practice of untrammeed nominations. Moth
ing would do more 10 leave the State ticket
behind the National ticket than the impression
that the organization was still intent on pre-
serving a political trust and afraid of the open
door to the Governorship. Parties do not lose
votes by healthy rfyalries for nominations but
by treating every aspirant except the organiza-