New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-07
THE WAY OUT.

Our neighbor "The Evening Post" expresses
the opinion that we have been misled by party
optimism" in thinking that anything like
united Republican support can be obtained In
the state Senate for Governor Hughess reform
measures We have not been inclined to be-
lieve that the vote In the Kelsey case was a
fair test Of strengthen the Republican side,
at least-between the friends and opponents Of
the Governors policies. There were Republican
Senators who voted to retain Mr.. Kelsey In
office because of personal friendship and because
they felt themselves free in a semijudicial
process TO follow their own convictions and I'M
pulses They were acting more as jurors than
as legislators, and, however much we regretted
their misplaced leniency Of judgment, we were
! not disposed TO accuse them of party Inhdelity
or party characterization. Mr.. Hooker, who
represents the district in which Mr.. Kelsey
lives and who helped TO prevent the latter's
dismissal. announced yesterday that he was
thoroughly in sympathy with Governor Hughes's
general political programme. Undoubtedly
other defenders Of Mr.. Kelsey's title will be
found heartily supporting the Governor when
the utilities bill is taken up.
Because ten Republican Senators differed
with the Governor in weighing Mr.. Kelsey's
culpabllity, 1t Is by no means necessary to con-
clude that the required Republican support
cannot be secured in the Senate to pass essen
italy Republican legislation. The chief oppo-
nents of the Governor on the Kelsey issue are
fond of classifying themselves as Organization
Republicans" Their stock in trade is regular
ity, and they rallied TO the support of the Super
intendent Of Insurance largely because he also
wore the organization" label. But an "organi-
cation" can be maintained only by practising
cooperation and subordinatiOn. The ten Sen
atOrs voting to retain Mr.. Kelsey, supposing.
which is improbable, that they will all continue
to stand together and that they represent
roughly the strength OF the Republican op-
position to the Governor, cannot, Of course
pect to outweigh in party councils the twenty
two Senators voting to accept the Governors
recommendations On a vital question like the
passage of the utilities bill the Republican party
is entitled to ask that the Republicans in the
Senate get together, and they only get to-
gether by meeting in caucus and letting the will
Of the majority rule. We have no Idea that
Governor Hughes's policies can be defeated in a
caucus of the Republican members of either
branch of the Legislature.
United party action seems the more consist
ent and advisable because the Democrats in the
Senate have evidently determined TO make a
partisan fight against the Hughes programme
That eminent Jeffersonlan statesman and
"autonomst' the Hon. pat" McCarren, though
undergoing prosecution In the courts for polit-
ical heresy the prosecutor being the Democratic
State Committee, has IN spite OF his tainted
regularity" captured the Democratic organiza-
ton in the Senate and Is ready 10 deliver it's
practically solid vote against any and every
projected reform. Mr. McCarren, as he tells
u.s. has rooted hostility to "Pharisees, Ishmael-
ties and nOtorlety seeking blathersktes" who
want TO regulate public service corporations or
interfere by "sumptuary legislation" with the
activities OF deserving but downtrodden excise
law ViOlatorS and ''bandhOOly mon JJa
would not trust a refOrmer with a dogs break
fast" and If he can arrange it the grand old
party Of Jefferson represented in the State
Senate Will be found voting solidly against any
limitations on autonomy" or any arrangement
Of transportation conditions as they exist to-
day. If the Democratic party is to be conso-
idated under Mr.. McCarrens leadership, 1t is
apparent that Republicans cannot afford to be
found longer in his company. The Republican
Senators owe it to themselves and to their Re
publican constituents TO fall in line unltedly be-
hind Governor Hughes.