New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-25
Stupidity or Worse ?


the question which the leaders OF the
Republican party must answer. The
measure is by no means wholly bad. 1t
contains, possibly for decorative pur-
poses, provisions advocated by organiza-
tons as little concerned with machine In
t.rests as the local Citizens Union.
But there are two amendments which
serve TO open discussion which will
have unnistakable consequences for the
Republican party In New York State.
The first Of these proposes TO destroy the
Massachusetts form Of ballot by restor-
ing the party column; the second aims at
recreating the official party convention
as a nominating body, subject to the
sanction of a referendum 70 the people
next fall.
Now. the restoration Of the party COL
umn will not prevent independent vot-
ing-it may even have a tendency TO
stimulate It at the moment, since the
New York electorate In recent years
has shown itself sufficiently alert in
meeting and thwarting the plans of the
professional politicians.
In the same fashion return to the
party convention, which means the prac-
teal abolition of the direct primary,
will not leave the voters helpless, how
ever indignant it may make them. Nor
will they be deceived by the plausible
suggestion that the proposal be submit
ted to the voters. This fall is an off
wear. There is no campaign for Presi-
dent, Governor or Mayor Of New York
City. There is small incentive to large
registration, and the combined efforts of
the Republican and Democratic machines
NAV easily succeed in obtaining the ma
iority vote Of the very small minority
who will vote.
What is vital, what counts, what will
mean an incalculable amount TO the Re-
publican party is the fact, not to be
blinked at, that such an attempt,
whether II succeeds or not, will be justly
accepted as a sign that Republican lead
ers, newly returned 70 power, have
learned nothing and forgotten nothing"
that the same spirit which wrecked
the party few years ago once more
dominates 1t.
The direct primary battle Of this state
has been fought out. Before II was over
the very large majority Of the people
Of New York we're convinced, convinced
in no small measure by the tactics Of the
politicians Of both parties, that there
was at the least promise Of better con-
ditions under a real direct primary. In
opposing the direct primary tho Republi-
can organization lost unity and public
confidence. It's subsequent defeat, at the
least, gained IN magnitude because Of
this fight,
More than all else that long struggle
convinced thousands Of Republicans
thousands Of young men in the Republi-
can party, that the men who controlled
It were alike hostile TO any new ideas
and determined 70 maintain their con.
troll by familiar and discredited machine
methods. In their mind the boss had
succeeded the leader.
More than the personality Of Thee
dore Roosevelt, moro than any specific
issue Of the Progressive party, this spirit
of revolt against stupid and hidebound
party rule contributed TO sending thou
sands Of the young men, the very life
Of the party II It were TO live, into tn,
great instruction Of 1912, which almost
wrecked the Republican party.
To-day by no means all Of these young
men have come back. The Republican
victory in the state last fall was won
not on Republican virtues but Demo
cratic offences. IL was a negative
achievement, which left the electorate
wholly cold.
The passage by the present Republi-
can Legislature Of measure such as the
Argetsinger bill will serve as a new
advertisement TO young. independent and
forward looking men. who are naturally
Republicans, that there is still no room
for them In the party toward which more
and more in recent months they have
been turning.
Is II the purpose Of Republican leader
ship IN this state 20 serve as the recruit
ing agent for the present Progressive
party, for some new party Of protest