New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-06
THE FUTURE.

It is perhaps not unnatural that in the first
disappointment at their failure TO continue good
administration In New-York by means of a
fusion campaign some Republicans should i'm
patiently exclaim that they have had enough
Of fusion and will henceforth make strict party
fights at city elections They VIII think better
OF II, however, after a little, for several rea-
sons. First, they can never win party fight
but merely play into the hands of Tammany by
attempting one. Second, the Republican party
I'm making the constitution of 1894 opened the
way TO non-partisanship in city administration
and in its platforms has repeatedly affirmed its
adhesion to that principle. Third, the Republ-
can organization of this city made disastrous
trial Of going It alone" in 1897; was, accord
ing 10 its own party constitution, technically
voted out of existence In many districts, and
was compelled to reorganize itself and repent
in sackclOth and ashes. That lesson is not likely
TO be forgotten by thoughtful and responsible
party leaders. Fourth, the great body of Re-
publican voters sincerely desire to secure good
city government believe in the party principle
of municipal non-partisanship. and are not dis
posed to let members Of their organization who
are Tammany men at Heart ever use IL to bring
upon the city such another evil as the Van
wyck administration.
So long as Tammany is what it is the anti
Tammany movement is movement for civiliza-
ton and humanity. Under other conditions the
work Of solving the great problem of municipal
government in a democracy may take another
form. In Chicago an entirely different method
is pursued with q measure Of success. But so
long as one national party is largely preponder-
ant here, and so long as the men who control
that party's action on local affairs are mer-
cenaries who use power to fill their own pockets
and sell favors alike to rich corporal lions and
vulgar criminals, the fight for liberty, equality
law and efficient administration must be q
fight against Tammany Hall. II the two par
ties were about equal in strength and were both
under the control Of patriotic and honest men.
good city government might be secured through
the parties by the inclination OF the independent
voters to the one which made the highest bid
for favor in the character Of its nominees. Even
then, however, there would be danger OF sacri-
ficing the city's interest to State and national
considerations. As it is, the only way for any
body Of honest citizens, Republicans or Demo
Gratis, TO protect themselves and their city is
10 forget party differences and unite year after
year against Tammany. There ought to be n
strong and Trustworthy anti-Tammany Democ-
racy here which would overcome the prejudice
OF Democrats TO fusion on the plea that il is
Only diluted Republicanism. Then Republican
and Democratic organizations might join on
equal terms in the work, with everybody con.
WINGED that the local election had nothing to do
with general politics, and that the party or
CARNATIONS were involved only because they
had in existence the machinery for effective
campaigning.
Non-partisan government has met with a re-
verse. but the principle is as valid and as vital
as ever. II has given us the best administra-