New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-11
New York City and the Re-
publican Party.


and ex-senator SAKE which will weigh
with the people of this town. 1t is found
in the very general suspicion that what
has been undertaken. conceivably without
the knowledge of Mr.. Whitman, is one
more effort to make the taxpayers Of this
city carry burdens disproportionate to
their obligations and to serve political
ends.
The Republican party is weak IN New
York City. 1t has been weak for many
years, because the policy Of successive up
state Republican Governors has been to
pile up indirect taxes paid by this city and
thus to relieve the rural communities,
chiefly Republican, from their share in the
D., cost of state government
Between 1900 and 1907 this policy was
more and more vigorously applied. Excise
taxes were imposed and doubled, mortgage
tax laws multiplied, stock transfer tax
was adopted. every known device was in
voked to benefit the Republican community
at the expense of the metropolitan tax
payer.
And the answer was always to be found
in this period in the decline of the Repub-
Ecan strength in the greater city. Those
who voted the Republican ticket in ma
+ional elections acquired the habit of
voting for the Democratic candidates for
state offices or staying away from the polls
between Presidential elections.
Just as long as New York had Tam
many administration it was helpless. The
disrepute of the machine which controlled
its local fortunes deprived it Of voice at
Albany. and it was possible to disregard
the Just and proper protests Of commu-
nifty which spoke through McCarren or a
Grady.
But that time has passed. The city has
an nti-Tammany administration. 1t has
in Mitchell, Prendergast and McAneny off
cials who can speak for it with every claim
upon the attention and the respect of
Republican Legislature. What was posi-
bic in 1904 is thus impossible now.
Governor Whitman is entitled to his day
in court No one suspects him of having
consented to the juggling Of state financial
statements to serve his own personal ends
No one believes that he consented to any
Juggling. But the fact seems to be that
figures have been juggled, that false
statement of the actual condition Of state
finances has been published, and on these
figures a Republican Legislature has laid
down a programme calling for $18,000,0 900
of direct tax, when no tax or a wholly in
significant tax was needed. OF the $751;
100000, Sl3,5OO,OOO would be the share of
New York City
Now, before such a programme can be
adopted New York City will be heard at
the state capital. In year Of misery and
suffering in this town, at time of bread
\ lines and unemployment, the people Of this
community will not patiently or quietly
see money taken from the city to swell
the total of legislative extravaganza or to
serve the purposes Of political man pula-
ton. On such a question we shall not be
Republicans, Democrats, Progressives. We
shall be citizens of New York, equally
aroused and equally aggrieved.
To The Tribune it seems that the Gov
ernor may have been led into an unfortu-
nate mistake by i'll selected advisers. From
this mistake it is easy to escape-the road
is clear, honorable. unmistakable State
finance is too tangled thing to be mas
tered by a man with far more experience
and time for study than has Mr.. Whitman.
But, dismiSsing the Governors part in
the incident, which is relatively insignif-
cant, there remains the larger question Is
il the purpose of a Republican party new
" returned to power to adopt the very
methods and system which brought upon
it disaster in the past? Are we to go back
again to the Odell time, to the Republican
rule which was founded upon dscrimina-
ton against this city?
This year is fitting time TO build a
real Republican party in New York; 70
rally the young men who believe in decent
government, honest public officials, who
hate Tammany Hall and all its works. to
the ranks. Defeat after defeat has left
Tammany an organization destitute of
patronage in city, in state, in nation. 1t
is an empty she'll thing that can be re
stored, if at all, only by the folly and
blindness Of its political OPP ents.
Does the Republican party desire to give
hack 10 T.mmanY all the force and favor