New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-11-08

tute The telegraph had been extended 10 Tue
summit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, whence
dispatches had reached San Francisco. The rainy
season had just commenced, and its usual effects
upon business were experienced.
Our lsts Election for County Officers presented
some noteworthy features. 1t was the first con-
test in which the Democratic voters OF Irish
nativity or lineage insisted on full share OF the
best places on their partys ticket. Though they
poll more than half the Democratic vote OF the
City, they are seldom allowed any place on the
ticket above that of Coroner, and il has been re-
garded as quite concession to allow them can
didate for Congress in ont of the SIX Districts
into which our City is divided. Probably not less
than One-fourth of the votes pOed for Dem
ocratic Members Of the last Congress throughout
the Union were Irish; yet We know no Irish.
born Member sent to Congress by that vote, ex-
cept John Kelly, from District of our City whose
Democratic voters at least two-thirds
Irish; nor do we know that single Member
of Irish birth has been elected to the next Con-
gress. We believe not even a candidate of Irish
birth was supported BY the Democracy throughout
this State, though at least one-third of
her entire Democratic vote must be Irish.
But this Fall, the two leading candi
dates on the Democratic County ticket-John
Kelly for Sheriff and John Clancy for Clerk-were
Irish, with one of the Coroners (Francis O'Keefe),
and, though there was much grumbllng and some
scratching, the whole ticket is elected by large
majority. And instead of arousing by such ticket,
as some would anticipate, more widespread Ma
tive hostility, there has not for years previously
been polled so light an American vote here as
in 1853. These facts will not be forgotten.
We think the election of James Moncrief over
Benjamin w. Bonney to the bench Of our Superior
Court not calculated TO add to the favor with
which the election of Judges by the People is re-
earded. Yet the same choice might have been
made by a Governor and Senate of the Moncrief
stripe in politics.
The election of Nelson j. Waterbury as District
Attorney has disappointed the general expectation.
Could this Office have been filled by the People or
the Bar without reference to party politics, John
Sedgwick, the present Assistant District-Attorney,
would inevitably have been chosen. Mr.. Andrews
4
petent for the duties of the post, but is not decidedly
popular; while Mr. Waterbury, though respectable
chamber counselor, with some experience as Ma
rine Court Judge has never distinguished himself as
an advocate, and is hardly known in criminal prac.
tice For some years past he has been Cashier of the
City Post. Office and of course never seen at the
bar. Add to this that seven-eghths of the promi-
IL, I, tk,,,t
so that most Of them were busy before and on the
day Of election cutting and trading him of, and the
prospect of his defeat seemed almost certain.
But the general collapse and dispersion of the
"American" party, a large portion OF which has
taken refuge in Tammany Hall, left the Slave
Democracy with larger absolute majority (though
a smaller plurality than was generally supposed
certainly, much larger than supposed it. Then
Mr. Waterbury is still comparatively young man,
of exemplary industry and irreproachable private
character, who has raised himself from poverty
and Obscurity to influence and competence by ps-
tient assiduity and unAinchng fidelity to the for
tunes of his political friends lie probably comes
as near being man of principle as it is possible
for Barnburner turned Doughface to do. His
troops of friends worked for him with will, as he
worked for himself and thus, perhaps, two thousand
Opposition votes were secured for him, which
nearly balanced the Democratic votes given to
his opponent, so that he is elected by some
thousands. Mr.. Waterbury has yet his spurs to
win as a criminal lawyer; bat be is worker, and
we predict that be will leave the Office with far
more legal reputation than he takes into it. If he
will let Fowler henceforth run the Tammany ma
chine by himself, and devote himself absorbingly
to his official duties, he cannot fail to prove
full and creditable officer.
The Republicans elect just one man on their
City ticket-and that one Mr.. Thomas Little as
Supervisory because they could Mt help it, the
law allowing but one candidates name to be borne
on each ballot, while the two candidates highest
on the poll are elected. Though his vote is not so
heavy as that of his competitor and future col.
league, We believe his usefulness and fidelity as
public officer viii not easily be exceeded.