New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-02
DIAGNOSIS AND PRESCRIPTION.

Governor OdelI has exemplifed again ID a
striking manner his gift and preference Tor
main speaking In expressing his views On
saturday night to the Republican Club as to the
moor showing which the party III this CITY ndue
AT the polls last month the Governor old not
exceed the privileges OF a guest. and II Is eFl-
dent from the hearty applause which greeteu
his remarks that he said nothing which lhose
present were not glad to hear. He was not Ill
tempered or unduly severe, but his ADDRESS WAS
enthusiastically an admonition which the party
in general and some Of its leaders in particular
cannot afford to ignore. #. as seems to be the
case. there is disposition in certain quarters
10 resent it. that is not necessarily discouras-
ing sign. 1t was highly desirable that some
one. speaking with knowledge and with au-
4horitv enough to compel attention. should dis
tIJrb the conposure OF those who, when eiectlon
results here are satisfactory. are sure to ap-
rropr;ate the credit but who. when things so
wrong are accustomed TO diSclaim response
bilitv.
Inasmuch as the Governor did not choose to
designate Republican deiinquents by name IN
Indicating what he conceives 10 have. been the
chief causes of the Republican slump here
abouts il would be obviously improper to as
sert a positive knowledge Of whom he meant
It has probably been noted. however, with
some amusement that Nh Gibbs Immediately
assumed that the Governor had made coat
for him and proceeded 10 try it on. AS mat
ter of course. he processes TO think it does not
fit but there are some not unwclcome evidences
of anxiety on his part lest general sentiment
should insist that he accept it and pay the bill
1t is interesting also to observe the unanimity
of the opinion that the Governors discrimina-
ton between control of the primaries and
strength at the polls applies with perfect &C
curacy 10 the Hon. Timothy L. Woodruff, OF
Kings County, while it is quite natural TO in
ferpret his cordial commentator of the chair
man OF the New-York County Republican Com
mittee as a rebuke to those who were lately
schemng to huIniliate Mr.. Norris and under
mine his authority
But while it may not be altogether judicious
10 fill in the blanks which Governor Odell pre-
ferred to leave, 1t is entirely safe TO say that
he himself is not guessing. He is not a man
who wastes time in conjectures when questions
OF personal responsibility for political disap-
pointments are under discussion He is not
obliged to grope around for the causes Of Re
publican collapse in this city. He knows where
the fault lies. and the men TO whom in his own
mind be attributes Ii know that he knows. 1t
is an incontrovertibe fact that many Of the So
called Republican workers here, who eagerly
commencing it to public confidence, winning
recruits and bringing a victorious army TO the
polls, need to be imbued with radically diff
ferent idea of the obligations which they incur
OF what leadership must mean If it Is to achieve
results worth having-and to learn how con-
temptible TO majority of intelligent voters ap-
pears the sort of zeal which exhausts itself In
maintaining grip on party machinery.
Governor Odell is TO be particularly COM
mended for frankly condemaing those citizen.
of superior intelligence who. processing an uhe
common devotion to principle, have evinced not
4 high minded independence, but narrow,
querulous spirit, and in some instances a
treacherous partisanship. in their treatment Of
the administration which they helped to elect
and morally contracted TO support II. while
making an honest and q helpful acknowledg-
ment of whatever errors Of judgment Mayor
Low has committed, they had taken care like
Governor Odell, to comprehend, defend and
sustain him. their credit for fidelity and useful
ness to causes which they have pledged them
selves to promote to the best OF their ability
would have stood much higher. A Republican
leader. educated in the organization and nat
urally in sympathy with 1t, has taught a salu-
tary lesson Of political dscernment, sincerity
and faithfulness to men OF both parties and no
party who are wont to assume that they are
themselves peculiarly qualified to fmpart such
instruction.