New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-29
Mr.. GRUBER'S VICTORY.

Mr. Gruber has never posed as a reformer in
politics. He is a machine man who frankly
avows his belief In spoils politics and his gen
era agreement with the aspirations of Mr.. Platt,
Mr.. Quigg and Mr.. Austin, who by chance at the
moment were angry with him and determined to
drive him from power. His success could not
fairly be called victory for political reform.
and Mr. Gruber would probably be the last man
so to describe it. But such is the strange turn
of political rivalry that circumstances have
made him all instrument working for freedom
and individuality in the Republican party. The
failure of 1.-The organiZa ton TO ruin him by the
eXertion OF all its power Is an encouragement
for other regulars and other district leaders TO
think for themselves and act for their constit-
uents. not merely sit like wooden men to regis
ter the DEGREES of their boss
In theory the Republican organization is
instrument for recording the will Of Republican
voters. In reality il is Il machine to carry out
the will of its high officers and force 1t on their
creators. Mr.. Gruber, from what motives we do
not pretend to know presumed to cast his vote
in the County Committee to suit himself. and
not 10 suit Mr.. Plat. That was all right accord
ing TO the democratic theory, but all wrong
cording to the mOnarchic practice The organ
iZation' was at once aroused to teach district
leaders that county committees were not repre-
sentative bodies This was necessary. If one
man could think instead of obeying orders
others could do the same, and the commands of
Mr.. Plat would no longer as matter Of course
be the unquestoned law. Mr.. Platt was under
the same necessity to maintain military disci-
pline that Mr. Croker was under in Mr.. Shee-
hans district Both leaders assume private
ownership and sovereignty of their organiza-
lions. They use them not merely for political
purposes, but for private business purposes,
Mr on a witness stand
summer. and as Mr. Platt confesses now in
using the Legislature for the benefit of the
Ramapo company. The usefulness of ''the Or
ganization' for such purposes depends on its
complete control and the unqueStioning ODE
dience of Subordinates. no matter how corrupt
work they are told to do. Every man must be
taught that his political life depends on his
standing in line on all occasions.
Therefore the inability of the organization
to drive Mr.. Gruber from the leadership of his
district is an exhibition of serious weakness. 1t
is a loss of prestige that may conceivaby revive
the discouraged independent sentiment in the
Republican party. 1t shows what can be done
in spite of the machine. 1t should inspire good
citizens with shame that they, with honest poll
tics and representative government their aim
cannot do what machine man can do even
when the machine is against him. Mr. Grubers
triumph may not be lasting. Mr.. Plat. with all
the power of Federal patronage may buy away
the opposition, just Mr.. Croker has at last
succeeded in doing in Mr.. Sheehans district
with the of city patronage. He may ESQ
late' the XXIst District. was threatened. 1t
remains to be seen if the Republicans of this
city have far lost all sense of their rights
members OF the party that they will tolerate the
Croker method Of getting rid of an uncomfort-
able minority. Whatever Mr.. Gruber's charac-
ter as a district leader. he is to-day the repre-
sentative of the voters of his neighborhood. 1t
is their right TO choose their leader, not Mr..
Platts or Mr.. Qugg's. and these leaders
deservedy rebuked for their despotic attempt to
isolate" a politician who does not obey their
orders