On Tuesday Mr. Roosevelt had a personal triumph in being
elected to the temporary chairmanship of the New York Republican State Convention by a majority of 122 (567 to 445) over Mr. Sherman. The " Old Guard " know that they are fighting for their life, and they have put all their force into the struggle. It would not be easy, therefore, to exaggerate the meaning of Mr. Roosevelt's victory. Such bitterness has not been displayed in American politics for many years, if ever before. The " bosses " know no limit in their abuse of Mr. Roosevelt, and on the whole the New York Press is opposed to him. But he has evidently judged the popular temper rightly, and knows that Republicans are ready for a general cleansing of the political stables, even though their party should be temporarily weakened, and perhaps fatally weakened. "Our first duty," said Mr. Roosevelt after his election, "is to war against dishonesty." By virtue of his chairmanship, he has appointed the Com- mittees of organisation and such-like. The reformation of the party has fairly begun, and for ourselves we believe that it will gain in the process, and that Mr. Taft will have nothing to complain of in the long run.
