Politics; Brookfield not a very competent politician

Active Very Like Machinists.

The independent Republicans in New York City are divided among themselves. William Brookfield, a well meaning but not very competent politician; General Wagner Swayne, their chairman, one of the finest characters in American public life as well as one of the grandest soldiers of this generation; Travers Jerome, a bright young lawyer, and others, have been their leaders. There was a meeting of their General Committee on Monday night, in which disorder prevailed.

The disorder was due to the importation of machine methods into what ought to be a parliamentary body. At a previous meeting, Mr. Brookfield, who then queerly thought that Governor Black was almost a reformer — Mr. Brookfield being a very credulous and expedient person — had introduced resolutions supporting the Governor for renomination. Since then several things have happened. Mr. Brookfield was not quite so sure on Monday night as he was before that his resolutions were right or, at least, he was not so sure that they would pass as he was. He was, therefore, willing to withdraw them or to keep quiet about them. Jerome and others, who are earnest men and who know Republican opinion, were ready with resolutions favoring Mr. Roosevelt. There was a good chance for a quarrel.

General Swayne, ablest of preceding officers and the fairest of parliamentarians, had the fact of no quorum at all present brought to his attention, and thereupon adjourned the meeting. That, was resented, although it was right in itself and in the interest of seemliness. Afterward part of the two factions present informally met and discussed Black and Roosevelt, until the gas went out. Allusion is made to the gas in the pipes. When it was turned on again, the discussion about the two candidates was resumed until a determination was reached to call a special meeting of the whole body, ten days hence, when a quorum will, it is hoped, be present and when the momentous question can be thrashed out.

General Swayne was right and should have been sustained. Disorder and reproach would have been avoided, had he been sustained. Mr. Brookfield is a well meaning man, but to call him one kind of a politician and Mr. Platt another kind is to do injustice to both of them. Each is of the same kind. Only their feet are in different camps. Their heads plan and think alike, though Mr. Platt's head has a length and levelness that Mr. Brookfield's has not.