New-York tribune., 1905-11-26
GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION.


Every gystem of government by parties Us
,,,ndsd on the s,rpposition that there Will be an
oroanized body responsible for administration
and another organized body of opposition. oppo-
sition does not mean or ought not 10 mean uh-
reasonable criticism and factious obstruction, but
tie watch constructive criticism and read
mess when the time for appeal to the people
comes 10 present the issues in clear, authorIIa-
five and convincing fashion. In England parlia-
rnentarv government secures such an OPPOSITION
Wa have It I'm q less perfect form at Washington,
or did have until the Democracy as party or
RESPONSIBLE opposition with a recognizable poncy
broke down. In the state, however, and in THIS
CITY government and opposition mean nttle
more than rivalry for Office. State and city cam
paigns seldom involve clear cut issues OF polcy
which are tried out before the people in any ade-
ouate way: and this Is largely because the party
machinery is almost entirely devoted for eleven
months of the year to spoils hunting and for one
month TO frantic electioneering, while the true
business of government is largely left to ind1-
yidual oflceholders and volunteer effort Ii our
cities could be divorced entirely from politics.
this neglect with respect to them would De
wholesome; but so long as city elections are
made party contests, even by one party, the pese
results can only be obtained by the creation Of
systematic opposition in the proper sense OF the
word however desirable It may be TO approach
the ideal of separating city from state and ma
tional politics
In This citv the Republican organization sell
dom responsible for government even sent1IHen
tally as q partner in fusion. has never oeen an
effective opposition. That is what 1t SHOULD De
made. No reorganization of the county commit
tee will serve its purpose which does not secure
an active Intelligent watch on the city govern
mont and draw to itself the support of thought
fY,I progressive citizens by true leadership IN
shaning whether by administration or criticism,
the policies of government. Tammany encoun-
ters no real and comprehensive opposlnon- IlS
acts are criticised through the year in news
papers with the touch-and-go half knoWleoge III
seDarable from such comment and denounced III
discriminatory by speIlbinders in campaign time,
but the organized opposition does not oppose. 1t
does not know or much care what Is going Oh
most Of the time and when 1t really does want TO
bring the administration TO the bar OF pubic
opinion It is unable because Of the natural ols-
count upon campaign criticism and its own lack
of previous preparation to present us case clearly
and carry conviction. The time for opposition 10
he effective is while q measure is at stake II
the county committee through the year works ac-
tiveJz for the best interests of the people IN mar
nnony with citizens of all shades Of political opn-
ion interested in the wise solution Of public qes
tious and does the work for the city which they
are now forced TO do through semipohucaI
bodies Il will have their favor at election time
If it neglects them for eleven months 1t VIII have
hard work winning their allegiance IN tne
twelfth
President Roosevelt has performed remark
able service in making the Republican party
marty of Ideas IN a time of transition when old
nolices are ceasing TO be issues and the natural
tendency of an organization is simply TO repeat
ancient formulas. He has rallied to IL the pro-
gressive thought of the country. We need some
man or men who will put the Republican organi-
zation Of the city In touch with what IS vita! In
the thought Of the people on city affairs. Our
| county committees should be organized with sub
| committees on the conduct Of the Mayor, the
Board of Estimate, the aldermen and the city de-
partments. Competent men should themselves
| know and keep the public trustworthy informed
| of what is going on. and then, when occasion
arose the voice of the organization would be po-
| tent in the checking or exposure Of bad acts.
| Such a working. responsible opposition would
command confidence and be Of great usefulness to
| the city; and Il would also build itself up as
political force