The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-25
Tho Democratic State Observation-Disclosures
Ahead.

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and from present indications it seems highly
probable that the prize will fall to the share OF
the rural democracy, as represented by the
heirs, executors and assigns Of the old
Albany Regency. The outside impression has
been that the fight lay between New York and
Kings, and that the democracy on the two sides
of the East river were prepared to tear each
other in pieces over the rival claims of the
Baron Won Hoffman and Misther Murphy, of
Brooklyn. But the fact is that the contest
has much wider significance. Henry G.
Murphy has been an aspirant in the Senate for
Governor on the democratic side for the past
seven or eight years, as Charles J. Folger has
been on the republican side, and with no better
success. This year he has been encouraged to
make bold effort to attain the goal of his am
bition; but the leading democratic politicians
OF the rural districts who have given him their
countenance have only been using him as they
were accustomed few years ago to use Fer
nandO WOod-to break the strength and inf1u-
ence of the democracy of the southern portion
of the State, and after having rendered him
instrumental in pulling their own chestnuts
out of the fire, will let him go his way with
burned claws. The real struggle is between
Tammany and the Albany Regency-between
the democracy of New York, with its immense
majority packed into one locality and the
democracy of the State scattered about in
spots, but scarcely anywhere powerful enough
to secure local triumphs. The Office Of Gov
ernor in itself is of very little importance.
Since the adoption of the present constitution,
stripping the executive of large portion of
the power he formerly possessed and giving
the election of judges and all important
officers to the people direct, the patronage has
barely been enough to rid an incumbent of his
own poor relations. The salary, about equal
to the pay of an ordinary bookkeeper in
respectable commercial house. is insufficient
to meet the expenses of the position. But in
the event of Seymours election it is believed
that the democratic Governor of New York
will exercise large influence over the federal
appointments, and hence the anxiety of the
leaders of Tammany and the aspirants for the
succession in the Albany Regency to secure
the nomination.
Tammany puts forward John T. Hoffman as
her candidate, and demands his nomination on
the ground of personal strength as shown in
the large vote he polled last December in this
city, and on the plea that he was counted out
by the Fenton canvassers in the western part
of the State two years ago. Sanford E.
Church is the aspirant from the interior, and
he is playing a shrewd game. He takes
Murphy by the hand at Saratoga, fills him with
the hope Of support from the rural districts,
and thus keeps up the fight between the demo-
Gratis at this end of the State. When the Con-
vention meets he will be found in the position
of the sharp lawyer, who, having fostered
litigation about an OYSTER is seen swallowing
the fish and handing the shells to the parties to
the suit. In other words, he will play over
again the game of Seymour in the National
Convention and, after knocking the heads Of
New York and Brooklyn together, will carry
Oft the nomination himself
Church is the rising man in the State. He is
stronger than Seymour, with more sound sense
and greater firmness of purpose. He partakes
of the character of the old Silas Wright and
Marcy school of democracy, and is, moreover,
| full of ambition He aspires to take control of
the Albany Regency as the successor of Dean
Richmond, and he had the aid Of Peter Gag
ger before his death to help him into that posi-
| ton. If he can secure the Office of Governor
he will 80 direct the federal patronage under
Seymour, in the event ola democratic national
victory, as to completely wipe out all rivals in
the State and to confirm him in the post of
| loaJar Ia Ia pr0bahIy 4, l;ar
State policy than any other living democratic
politician, and would make good Governor.
His reign might not be long at the head of his
party, for the reason that he has political as
| piratons TO crafty and a fortune to make, and
must necessarily raise mp jealousies and COM
binations against him, from which man like
Dean Richmond, possessing large wealth and
rejecting political office, would be exempt.
But he would make his mari, while his power
lasted and would not fail to secure the rewards
due to his friends. Thus the contest at Al
bany next week promises to be sharp and per-
sonal, and its effect on the election In the
State may be important. AT all events, the
prospect is not very promising to Seymour,
who is compelled to look on at repetition of
his own policy played by other actors. As the
snews of war come from New York Tammany
is very likely to draw close the strings Of her
plethoric purse IL Hoffman should be defeated
and to allow the election to run itself. On
the other hand, the Albany Regency has
never placed any great trust in Seymour, and
Church, who was used as a catspaw in the
| National Convention cannot be expected to
have much heart in the. election of the Presi-
dental ticket. The Murphy movement may
be regarded as out of the field; but between