The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-17
RLAIN TAN.
Needs Of inc Repuhliesn RaFty % New York.
guperfiuouhneas Of Higgins.
From Mo Rochester Post Express.

guperffuouaness Of Higgins.
From to Rochsstsr Post Exprsss.
Thare ara more than $780, 900 Republicans
IN this state-men who are devoted to the
party. believe In liz principles and want IL TO
win-and they are represented By an honess
and intelligent press. These Republicans
and theBe newspapers care nothing for the
Quarrels OF their leaders, nothing for the
personal ambitions Of Individuals above all
and beyond all they want honest, decent and
capable government, free nom ~selhshness and
bossiam.
An election of very great Importance Will
be held In November, and tho time for the
nominating convention ID close at hand.
The universal demand among Republicans
10 for tho nomination Of the best available
men. This 10 o very simple matter II the
Republican masses and their newspapers VIII
act for themselves instead Of allowing self
necessary TO administer o defeat OF the polls
to bring the leaders Of the party to their
senses. The present leadership 10 bad. ills
better TO change 1t before q defeat than after
ward. Let us get about 1t now.
The Republican press can do an immense
service II II will take hold Of the situation
without further delay. throw aside Plat and
odeil and Higgins and all their selfish crew.
and demand o reorganization, not In the Inter-
cot Of an Individual or any group Of .individ-
uals. but In the interest Of the Republican
party itself. The political bosses cannot
Withstand o united demand from the Repub-
llSan press, but % far most Of the newspapers
have been Indifferent; without being satlsfed
with conditions they have refrained from
protects. they have let things drift. and the
rocks are right ahead. They ought to plunge
into the thick Of the contest now. As they
viii be expected to elect the Republican ticket
after It has been nominated, they ought. to
insist upon q powerful voice In the selection
Of the candidates.
Above all the Republican press should
insist upon the retirement Of Governor His-
gins, Just es II infested upon the retire.
ment OF Governor Black IN 1898. Mr., Higgins
was nominated two years ago; he was known
20 DO an able business man, to have had long
experience In state politics, to have served
with credit In the Senate, and to be person
ally honest: but we know now what was not
known then, that he Ia wholly lacking In
courage. This Is o very great defect In q
Republican leader. Republicans all over the
State are disguised with his wabbling. his
indecision. his palavering. The Republican
party has never lacked for honest, able. cap
able and courageous men, and this year due
regard for the interest Of the people and due
regard for the future OF the Republican party
alike demand that We shall put our best men
to the front-men Of courage a. well as
honesty.
The spectacle Of Governor Higgins refus-
ing to say whether or not he will be o oan-
didate--dodging the reporters. evading, the
natural inquiries Of his party friends. with
holding the information to which his party
is entltled-is anything but edifying and
Inspiring. There seems to be no doubt that
he will want to run II there Is to be q three
cornered contest, but will be afraid to run II
the opposition Is to be united. That attitude
10 not only cowardly and contemplate. but
it is an outrage on his party, which is entitled
to candid treatment from all its bene6ciaries
and frankness and courage from all leaders.
Let the Republican press take hold at once
and put an end to q situation that LIS hurting
the party and is rapidly becoming farcical.