New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-01
MIR. BARNES INTERPRETED
A First Voter Explains His Devoted
Stand for An erican Ideals.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The editorial appearing in The Irib-
une Of even date entitled END the Barnes
ISSUE" in which Mr.. Barnes IS held up as
the dominant obstacle to the progress OF the
Republican party, whose membership IN the
national committee would make the return oil
those members of the party who joined the
Roosevelt movement in 1912 impossible. and
bar from the old party young men who nave
attained their majority in the meantime, Is
fortunately an opinion rather than fact
The statement that Mr.. Barnes's reelection
as the New York member Of the national
committee would make the party no place for
Young voters was especially interesting, as
the writer OF this will vote for the first time
this year. Since your paper has referred to
the Young men like myself as being inftu-
enced by Mr.. Barnes as a party ofhcer' a
brief reply is ventured.
To sympathizers with Mr.. Roosevelt any
beliefs or acts of Mr.. Barnes are shoekingly
undesirable lie is credited by such individ-
uals with being the one hindrance to bring
ing about the establishment of the views
Of certain radical persons by the party
Those extremely radical propositions, which
would, in the event Of their adoption, com
pletely destroy the American system of gov
eminent, are termed examples Of progress.
There are large number Of people in this
country to day. who apparently have no re-
gard for the American governmental idea
as imbedded in the Constitution. They in
ternret progress as meaning an act That VIII
create decided change without considering
its necessity from any standpoint except
personal popularity. in most cases, and with
out moments hesitation to determine
whether such a change would improve the
existing system. Some men are cherished
for their bitter denunciation Of the Amerl-
can idea Of government. Popular PERIOD
Gals and leaders of minority political or
CARNATIONS are ever eXpoundlng the doc
trine that the overthrow of the American
idea must be utter and complete. II IS EVIL
dent that these have reached the extent OF
their ability 20 design plans for the de-
struction of principles already established
with reference 20 the powers and limitations
of public officials and institutions, such as
the Oregon system OF popular government
and Mr. Roosevelt's advocacy OF popular re-
view OF Judicial decisions However, their
extent of ability has only been reached IN
one direction, which has until recently been
in the form of giving the people absolute
authority in the affairs of the government
Now our attention is called to the mad
visibility of clothing the voter with too
much power. and his existing powers must
be wrested from him just as soon as this
action can be pesceably accomplished As
evidence of this belief held by the pro-
motors Of the welfare of the people. the
short ballot, for instance. Is advocated, where
in public official receives power formerly
held by the electorate. Right in this con-
nectioa the budget system is introduced.
which fuses certain movers Of the legislative
and executive departments OF the govern
ment.
II Mr.. Barnes's attitude OF maintenance
Of the American system of government and
the selection of public officials who are in
sympathy with it is any reason for his
presence being undesirable in party organi-
cation. which has thus far pledged itself TO
the continuation of the American idea, then
the party should not be the Republican party
as it has come TO be known.
Persons who left the party four years
ago or who have since become voters and
who believe in the American government can
find no justice in refrainng from member
ship in the Republican party, whether the
fight for the preservation Of these princi-
Piles is led by Mr.. Barnes or some one else.
Young voters may some time in the distant
future have 10 prouder memory than that
their first ballot for President was cast By
a believer in the true American government
and for candidate pledged to its mainten-
ance c. l.. RYDER.
Cobleskill. y. Y, March %, 1916.