New-York tribune., 1903-05-29
TIE COUNTY COMMITTEE.

It is pleasure TO credit the report that Sen
htor Platt and Governor Odell are in full accord
rs to the necessity of animating the Republican
County Committee with a radically different
spirit es soon as possible. Since the last cleo
ton IN which the party made SO melancholy
showing below The Bronx, there has been no
doubt OF the Governors sentiments in respect 10
this matter. He took occasion last November,
first IN the course Of informal conversation
with members Of the committee, and soon after
ward in a speech at the Republican Club dinner
given TO himself and the other candidates, TO
show that he clearly understood where 4 large
share OF the responsibility for that collapse be
ioneed. In his speech he put the blame in part
on citizens Of independent proclivities, who
having helped TO elect Mr.. Low. had failed dur
snr the first wear of his administration 10 give
him the support that he deserved, and in part
on tndolent half-hearted Republicans Of the
rank and file. But he reserved his strongest
censure and admonition for leaders Of the
organization who took no pains TO recruit and
lead an army Of voters TO the polls, but were
satisfied when they had successfully used the
resources conferred on them by the party To
serve their Own political interests Republi-
ca nism" said the Governor, which depends for
Its power on carrying the primaries is Of no
use on Election Day" He mentions no ns mes.
but nobody doubted that he could nave pro
s1uced an accurate list Of delinquents.
II Senator Platt did not at the time publicly
approve the Governors diagnosis Of the trouble
and the remedy prescribed, neither did he sig
r1ifv disapprobstion, and so IL is not necessary
TO assume that he is q recent convert 10 the
Governors views. But II It IS true that be is
now making It plain 10 the district leaders that
he and the Governor are in thorough agreement
ne is doing the party q good service. One way
OF making over the County Committee would be
10 get rid Of a considerable part Of its members
snd put men Of different type in their places.
and rve have no doubt that If such a process of
substitl1tion had been employed some tine ago
the present condition OF the party IN this city
rvoul6 have been much better than It is That
method Of procedure is apparently inlpracticable
at present but there IS we hope, possibility
Of doing something else which would prove
worth while The resignation Of Mr.. Morris
from the Craftsmanship creates an opportunity
which ought TO be embraced.
We shall not he suspected Of unfrendliness 10
Mr Morris e We say that his leadership has
been disappointment His chief fault has been
that he has not led, and perhaps that is a mis-
fortune. rather than fault, for be has had an
intrigue against himself TO contend with, and
much of the advice 10 which he has felt con
strained TO yield has been bad 1t is entirely
probable that his successor, whoever ne may be,
viii at first encounter similar opposition, or at
least feel the lack of hearty and sagacious CO
operation: but We believe it is possible to find
man presunptively well qualified for the county
chairmansbip who would take the place on
clear understanding that he was TO be the actual