New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
NEW-YORK PROSPECTS.

The Republicans of this state are, without
concealment. worried about the next elecuon.
Even under ordinary circumstances they would
have for anxiety, for twelve years OF
unbroken success warn them TO watch for the
inevitable back swing of the pendulum. 1hey
have been wondering If IL would not come every
off year for six years Now special dangers
confront them. The revelations of business and
political abuses are bound 10 hurt the party
in power They whet the popular appetite for
change for its own sake without much regard
to the nature of the change. Cleverly timed to
take advantage of this disposition is the spe-
cious demagogic agitation of socialism only
skin deep" as young Mr.. Patterson. of Chi
cago has described municipal ownership. Add
To these the accumulation of mistakes. personal
enmities and popular prejudices handcapping
party which has long borne the responsibilities
of government. and there is presented prob
lem TO tax the powers Of Republican cam
paign manager So every hand we hear the
question What shall New-York Republicans do
10 be saved?
The obvious answer is. Get hold of popular
cOnidence-an easy answer in the abstract, but
not so easy when concrete plans are sought.
Yet we do not believe that there is a Repub-
lican leader in the state who, if he will lay
aside selfish considerations cannot point out
the specific road TO victory. There is no mys-
terry about the popular temper and how to meet
its demands without any dangerous concessions
TO the socalstic spirit. The Hearst forces are
dangerous only because they are the nucleus
of a party of protest. The great mass Of Mr..
Hearst's followers do not really believe in him
or his doctrines. but feel that the old parties
will not respond TO their desires for more hon
est and more democratic government II the
Republican party can Enthusiastically show its
devotion TO political and business honesty and
its ability 10 be an effective instrument of the
aroused public conscience il will rally TO itself
not only the great body of its natural adher-
ents but also great body of thoughtful Demo
Gratis who have no more desire to-day to plunge
into the depth of Hearstsm than they had ten
years ago 10 espouse the doctrines of Organism
On any fair test of his theories Mr.. Hearst
would be overwhelmingly beaten in New-York.
The danger is that there will be no such test,
but that the Republican party Will fail TO
command the respect and enthusiasm or MI.
Hearst's natural opponents by neglectng TO
carry out q vigorous policy of sane and conser-
vatiye reform.
The name of Mr.. Hughes has been in many
mouths in the last few weeks in connection
with the Governorship. Why? Simply because
every political leader knows that the fearless.
thorough constructive work of the Armstrong
committee is the sort of work that endears
most conspicuous example Of such devotion TO
public welfare. and whether or not his candi-
dacy be possible, the suggestion of II Is sig
nifcant Even the Hearst boomers, who do not
need TO count votes TO be sure they have won,
concede that Mr.. Hughes might beat their man,
and if the Republican party is to win under
any leadership ii must be by appealing 10 the
conscience and intelligence which pay tribute
TO Mr.. Hughes How may the Republican party
do this? BY cutting deep into abuses. by pro-
posing thorough remedial measures, by serving
the people regardless OF the interests of the
time servers who hang upon the skirts Of the
party TO discredit 1t and enrich themselves
1t is not necessary TO plunge into socialistic
schemes or throw a sop to every demagogic
agitation in an effort TO outbid Mr.. Hearst for
his own particular following. The insurance
investigation WAS thoroughly conservative. vet
its work arouses enthusiasm. The mass of the
people are not fools and are not socialists. They
will stand for a conservative party which con-
vinces them of its honesty and its competence
TO protect their interests. Only popular anger
and determination TO have change at any
cost can elect Mr.. Hearst. Let the Republican
marty pass the insurance bills and the corrupt
practice bills respond to the popular demand
for light on banking conditions. confirm TO the
people of this city easonable gas rates, secure
them water supply on fair terms and go into
the next campaign sustained by public con-
viction that il is an efficient and honest instru-
ment of government. and It need fear no army
from the Cave Of Adullam. no matter how much
noise that army may make. The Republicans
I'm the Legislature have the prospects of the
party in their own hands.