New-York tribune., 1902-12-05
NEW-JERSEY NEWS.
LESSONS OF THE ELECTION
CERTAIN REPUBLICAN oFFICEHOLDERS
MUST BE PERMANENTLY DROPPED
WHEN THEIR TERMS EXPIRE

Trenton. Dec 4 (SpecldIt--Ine effect VI IAAS i"S~
election upon the Republican party in New-Jersey
was inpressive II also was instructive. and i'm
provement in the conduct of the party not only III
the mana cement and control of the local conveh-
tons and organizations. but also in the matter OF
return to higher principles and policies, is now un-
der serious consideration. 1t said In this city
to-day by a Republican who is entirely competent
to express the sentiment of the most prominent
party leaders that Republicans who had oeeh
passive or indolent would in time become more m
dustrious and aggressive, the outcome OF Wnich.
it is expected will be greater cohesive strehsth "
both harmony and activity
It is true that the result of the election was not
so surprising the Republicans who are fegarueu
as leaders 1t to the machine MADE man
sagers Indeed the latter appear to be the only
party men who unconscious OF the un1ailhs
signs of satisfaction which were everywhere ap-
parent to the Republicans whose conservatism ana
patriotic loyalty to the party enabled them 10
see in making up ante-eleetion estimates Ihose
Republicans to whom the party is more uselui aS
means to ends In which they are interested imam
as an organization Of State Importance have not
yet it would appear, recovered from the surprise
which the returns brought to them on the morning
of November 5. These Republicans are to be FOUND
everywhere in New-Jersey, and some of them are,
fortunately among the defeated candidates ana
their prospective benefcaries For some reason
plan enough to Republicans who are not misled
and misguided by blind faith in the constant ndel-
ity of the people to partisanship. right or wrohs
a voters had come 10 lHS COHCiuSicH
that the Republican party was being guided by the
concentrated effort of certain into the control
of men whose interest in its success was more
closely allied to their own political success than
would promote the perpetuity OF the prlncipieS
which had not only given TO 1T. but also had re-
tanned for IT, the balance of political power. The
returns from Republican counties. and in some
cases where such evidence was least expected
show that there were many Republicans who be-
lieved that ''off year was not only propitous
but safe opportunity wherein to rebuke the man
agement of the party conducted of late years
The rebuke was administered. and it stunned no
body but those who largely make a business
Of politics upon more or less commercial basis.
according to ability and opportunity The returns
also show that in counties where they did not make
gains the Democrats uniformly held their own
1t is unnecessary here to relate specific incidents
in support of these statements. The incidents are
too general to need recapitulation. although they
not pronounced in some localities as they
are in others The hint 10 State political manage
ment. as well as to local participation. was so
broad and general that already there is apparent
a determination recognize il a warning that
the popular demand for change in party matters
cannot safely be ignored.
In plain terms some of the Republican officehold-
ers in high and low places are unsatisfactory to
sufficient number of Republicans to make an in
dorseInent of their further retention when their
terms have expired more than hazardous to party
success in some instances and dangerous to the
point OF defiance of public opinion in others. 1t is
not necessary go to the State capital to obtain
these views. They 10 be prevalent among the
prominent patriotic Republican leaders of the State
%ho 1o nave nay f now reacaed ia point whefe % fney
situation would not become the servants they must
pay greater heed TO their duty in the control OF
party management, and make an effort to
it from those TO whom in some instances the pro-
all intents ana purposes. greater obligation than
II the people @ as t Whole ANY od aTgdmens @ I'm
worse than the Republicans have done Invariably
done as well as they might, and that the only way
for them fully TO regain public confidence Is to
and abier representative men in the party conven-
tons Otherwise the recent reouke would be fol-
The Republicans to whom the above truths have
and generally with the concealment Of their
identity forcibly urged lest their efforts for the
individuaiiEe men and measures when they discuss
political affairs But what is papaoie to them IS SO
speak plainly is the betrayal Of no conhde1ee. II
ican party is to thrive and prosper and retain its
hold upon the people OF New-Jersey it must at
must get @ back to where il stood decade ago when
the Republican State Committee under tae re cnaIr
monwealth its very depths by assaults upon
msnta anG prnepies of mancipal and State govern
ment. In turning out the so-called Democrats VINO
WAS not simply to provide place and power Re
publican politicians The voters We're disgustsed @ TED
public service was measured. In fact. there WASH
al standard. The revolution Whcn began Ten
Years ago and ended triumphantIy three later
was expected 10 change all that There was, in
deed a RENAL rkable and wholesome change but lat
terIy some OF the professional politicians seem 70
have got IL into their heads that the people will
stand for ANYTHING IL the label Republican be at
tached TO IT, and that efforts to perpetuate the
power of unpopular individuals or machines VIII De
meekIv acuUiesced in. Even the election figures or
last month don't appear to have brought much sign
of repentance or reform from those chiefly respon-
sible These figures show that S2S4 Republicans
did not vote and that where they did vote, as In
ICssex they tried 70 make their dissatisfaction as
clear emphatic and decisive as possible
Fortunately the men to whom an oVerShelInlns
majority of the rank and file of the RepuOlCan
party look foE guidance and inspiration are awak-
sninr TO the need of vigorous action. and pretty
soon n concerted movement may be looked TOT IN
the direction OF improving the situation and renoE-
INC the eyesores which annoy voters.
u.Tr Iru pTjTE lTTSSTNG