New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-24

ii, &c wearing an air Of rigorous scientific
sa5,c+io1 without the reality" The same thing
-av he said Of Mr.. Ostrogorskis investigation Of
she workings Of democratic government in Eng
Ind and the United States 1t is monumental
work fairly TO be compared with that OF de-
Foooueville Great research has been made Tor H.
75a autbor. with years of experience in the
russfan Government service comes 10 the SUD-
;ar- with q broad comparative knowledge,
phsosophic detachment, and, as he says, with
> belief II democracy He is penetrating
ofearz-er and an acute reasoner. But his deduc-
+;ovs all make for the establishment Of a theory.
The same facts might have been the basis OF an
a,na1lv rIausible treatise Of different ten
de1cy. showing the evolution Of real popular
government out Of democratic forms under the
control Of aristOcrauc olgarchies. 1t might be
shown that power is now in the hands OF al
who VIII take the trouble 10 exercise it. MI
Ostrogorshi's theory is that in both England
and America the political party machines nave
usurped control, abolished the sway Of pohtl-
cal principle, substituted for il devotion 10 or
ganization Cor its own sake, and set aside true
democratic government His proof however, is
nc; so satisfactory as he seems to regard IT,
This lack Of conclusiveness IS not discreditable
70 Nj. Ostrogorski. II is inherent in his subject
which is one for high speculation. with field of
observation so vast and complicated that every
thinker may find good support for his views.
The mistake in dealing with it is in presenting
II the guise Of logical proofs what must be al
best insufficient inductions-
AIr. Bryce while admitting that the authors
description Of party government in England Is
minute and, on the whole. accurate and talr'
holds that the generalizations are open to ques-
ton and make a darker impression than the
realities OF the case warrant. He thinks lhal
The power and poison Of the caucus are exag-
Eerated and that sufficient allowance is not
made for the healthy influences at work TO cor
rect its dangers. This is certainly true Of the
description Of American conditions Nothing
but praise can be given 10 the authors keen
analysis Of our political history. The rise Of the
Confessional caucus, the substitution OF the
convention system with the diffusion Of political
power, and the construction Of the consolidated
party machines are admirably set forth. Ills
facts ere with rare exceptions, accurately
stated. his exposure Of the detailed defects OF
the party system as il operates Is as just as II
Is ritiIess. We agree with what he says about
corrupt bosses and subserYient legislators, the
evils Of the spoils system, and the difficulty in
making the parties act as efficient and pro
grassive instruments Of government. He is
Doubtless right in his conclusion that political
Journalism and rachinism are most serious dam
gers Of democracy and that they are more in
evidence here because democracy has had
longer and freer sway than in England a vast
electorate, little interested in the problems OF
politics but acutey jealous for its appearance
Of power. offers in both countries the material
for the organizer Of selfish machines But bad
as these machines are, much as they need to be
purified and brought under the domination OF
enlightened opinion, il is doubtful if parties are
responsible for the evils Of American politics, as
they must be # reform Is TO come, as MI Ostro-
gorsE recommends.
He urges their abolition as permanent ORGANIZE
tons and the remodeIIirg of the machinery OF
The State 70 make the executive elective by Con-
gress with z ministry responsible to boIn
houses somewhat on the French model lie
would have occasional parties formed for me
decision Of a single question, to be dIsbanoeo
Immediately. so that the citizens may IreeIy
reaIi-n themselves on the next issue Thus the
remedy Is sought in machinery, as is natural II
the party organization is in itself the evil ana
lot a mere manifestation Of the faults OF so
ciety. 4 fair argument may be made, on the
other hand. that the parties do represent Ihe
average VIII to-day, as well any other po-
ltcal organ ever expressed the viii Of less DEM
ocratc generations. True the parties Jack
Ideals but the machinery Of other governments
have generally lacked them, and likewise gen.
orally been fun Of corruption. And after all
tn parties do respond 70 public opinion Wheh
there really is any