New-York tribune., 1906-09-11
MR. HEARSTrS DECISION.

Our two great Independents are drawing in
their horns. Two weeks ago they were lnde-
pendents with a capital l. Now they are both
dropping the capital for lower case. Mr.. Jerome
originally consented 10 run" as the Democratic
party's candidate for Governor with no plat
form but his record and his oath of office.
There was TO be no other obligation on his part,
express or implied. Now he is talking about
running. like any other candidate, on a plat
form made 10y the convention. But the plat
form must not be "claptrap" and must not con-
fict with the candidates personal views; other
wise the District Attorney might possibly be
compelled 10 send an exegetc telegram 10 Buff
falo the day after and 20 conduct another 1904
Man at Last" canvass Mr.. Hearst, too is
meditating deeply on the dividend paying quail
ties OF independence. He believes in boss bait
ing and boss busting" but he sees that under
certain circumstances the support of the bosses
may be useful He purposes TO run for Gov
ernor as the candidat Of his Independence
League but he is perfectly willing TO wait around
the corner at Buffalo with a smile on his face
and a speech Of acceptance in his inside pocket
Murphy, McCarren, COnners. Mack. Hogan and
McCabe may all be SOulless politicians and
agents of the "pIunderbund." But who shall say
them nay If they profess repentance and meekly
ask this year TO join the rear rank of the lnde-
pendence procession?
Mr. Hearst's latest statement makes IL clear
that he has weakened in his purpose To break
with all existing party organizations and stand
for Governor on the bare issue Of opposition to
the bosses. He has attacked particular Demo-
cratic leaders, like Murphy and McCarren, but
he is willing 10 tolerate their support, and has
been for months working hand in glove with
other leaders, like Mack and Conners. 10 obtain
a Democratic Endorsement II his Independence
League-which has no will of fits Own-puts
only partial ticket in nomination today il will
be conclusive notice that Mr.. Hearst and his
allies within the Democratic machine are conf
cent that they can control the situation at Buff
falo. The league will have done its work II
IL has been used successfully as a club TO beat
the Democratic machine into submission, and
AIr Hearst will become a regular again. with
a disappointed and dwindling following outside
the Democratic organization. Independence will
be stabbed until il is needed once more as
stalking horse In state local or national politics
Mr.. Hearst takes little trouble TO conceal his
real meaning. Last year" he says. "the cor
''poratiOns We're undoubtedly intrenched behind
"Tammany and Tammany's candidate" II the
corporations owned Tammany a year ago, they
own il just as completely now. There has been
no change Of character in that honest graft
association. But this year. Mr. Hearst asserts.
the corporations are going 10 desert Tammany
anu support lne hepuDllCdu sldle uCheI
lated into plain language this means that Mr..
Hearst thinks il easier and safer 10 run this
year with Tammany's support than without it.
He has had a rather difficult choice 10 make,
for excellent politicians in all parties still be-
iieve that he could poll a larger vote without
a Democratic Endorsement than with II. His
readiness two weeks ago to repudiate any feel
ing Of friendliness for Mr.. Murphy proved that
he still hesitated- A failure in to-day's conven-
ton 10 cut loose from all other parties will
| inevitably result in a disruption of the Inde-
pendence League. Thousands OF voters who
have taken the Independence idea seriously will
be repelled by what they must consider a sur
render Of principle TO expediency-a bargain for
personal profit with the abhorrent forces in poll
! ties which the league was called into being 20
destroy. Mr. Hearst's choice may not have
been the less advantageous one for him from
! the point OF view Of practical politics. Yet IL
punctures much formidable pretence and will
be helpful 10 the Republican cause by putting
the editor-candidates latest venture in its true
! bargain-counter light