The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-05
CITY POLITICS.
The Charter Dection-General Considers
tiOns-SU.vey Of the Battle Field
The Offices to be Filled-The
Candidates-End OF the
Political Excitement.

or rather 1t might be said In view OF recent occur
yences the last shot fired, the last stab given, and.
It Is 10 be hoped the last man killed. The scramble
has been enormous, and the mental, moral and
physical energies expended over the vast field OF
local politics would have been almost enough pro-
pery directed, to overturn two or three dynasties
OF the Old World before the Prussian Bismarck
absorbed so many OF them by his Sadowa
campaign. The prize fought for In some in
stances is worthy OF the struggle. To DO an
alderman under the new regime OF democratic
supremacy IN city and State, with vote on the
composition OF heads OF departments, Police and
Fire Commissioners, and the long list Of appoint
ments, falling like ripe fruit into the hands Of the
Tammany leaders and the fat pickings thercanent Ia
just now no small or valueless distinction. The
municipal favor fair to become the royal road
to high distinction In the city government as well
to corner lots and high stopped brown stone front
houses. Since Andy Johnson made known to an
astonished world that his first step the ladder OF
fame the placing OF his foot the low rung OF
assistant aldermanshp Common Council stock has
very considerably appreciated, and now, under the
new democratic dispensatl0n, 1t is no wonder that
the FIRST step to The politicians paradise s supposed
TO lie through the councilmanc adermanic ONCE.
The golden harvest is ripe for the sickle, and thou
sands Of eager hands anxious to be at the gather
ing. But as the Scripture hath 1t, "Many are called,
but few are choscn." This in another sense is unlor
tunate for the woudbe political harvesters or Office
seekers Political strength more than any other quail
fcation tells in the struggle that is being waged
among the wOuld-be elect. All the angry feelings
and the worst dispositions OF men have been famed
into fame over the contests, and 1t Will be well
when the memorable ballot OF the people shall inter-
vene to dissolve the disturbing elements that now
n0at In the political atmosphere, and s, ence the
feuds that now 80 fatally prevail over the spols.
''Time at length makes all things even" and day
or two more will end the long struggle of turmoil,
strife deadly feud has marked the past State
and fast closing charter election.
TIE TAAMANY NOMINATIONS.
OF course the Tammany nominations will be gen.
orally successful The power OF the machine and Its
controlling influence, as developed in the result
Of the late November election, make its regular
nominations" the almost certain precursor Of sue
to the lucky nominees The leaders Of the party
are alive only to the desrabty but to the neces
siy Of nominating strong and popular men, to build
up and strengthen the political fabric rather than to
choose from the blatant crowd OF oflce-seekers who
after election, become deadwelghts deadlocks
upon the machine and who often have no other
csaim TO once but an Importantly and persisency
In seeking 1t that have often been fou,d hard to
come. The contest over the offices to be filed
nine police and nine civil Justices and twenty-one
aldermen and assistant aldermen--has been one O,
the severest, SO far as the Tammany element has
been concerned that the leaders ever had TO direct
or control.
THE CIVIL AND POLICE JUSTICES
contest has been waged, with but the inermission
required for the making OF the slate for the State
election In this city Tor Senators and Assemoymen,
since the early sumner. These, to certain extent,
present the choicest prizes Of the charter lottery
The term OF Office ID Tor six years, the salaries
large for the amount Of services performed and the
perquistes numerous and profitable. the duties
Light and the distinction of.being known recognized
hand ''1 as Judge" with "' somewhat "a slIot lot
nc press, in which the daily, Goings
are duly recorded-an these considerations make
the offices OF civil and police justices objects OF
worthy emulation ana enough to call forth the best
cxertiOns Of impecunious or vaulting ambition.
The field Of contest from the Tammany standpoint Is
clear and defined; and no matter in what direction
the eye turns the victory Is certain for the party.
except 10 one or two quarters where the smoke Of
than ordinarily hard contested struggle hangs
over the field leaves the fate OF the contestants
yet in doubt, and where no quarter win
be either given or accepted on either side.
domitable pluck and determination on either side
against the fearful odds or o Tammany nomination
next and on that day from the rising Of the sun to
the going down OF the same. The struggle in the
interim, In one notable instance Will know no
waverlng, at least no Sinking OF the blows on the
part Of the principal 1anmany opponent; no cry for
might or Blucher' will be heard.
He has set his NE upon cast
The grand struggle over the one contested police
tussiccshp Is IN the new district where inc inynci.
BILE Wiley measures his strength with the Tammany
Observation-Disclosures at present every pros
pect OF securing the guerdon OF the struggle-the
SutH a dread which casts it's fatal glamour over
most opposing candidates, but which has no terror
for the "great captain OF independent democracy.
Many VINO entered for the tight fortnight ago,
full Of hope and confident OF success, have paid for
felt and quietly withdrawn from the lists, the Skin
nAehing having proved that the contest would DC
hopeless. Some, despite OF this, lead fororn hopes,
with the CONSCIOUSNESS that certain defeat stares
them broad y IN tue face; and, Notwithstanding the
VINO Halter but TO betray with the regular nominees
the love Of fighting is clear and well defined. The
and courage OF the captains on whom they rely AZ
sured on many hard fought fields, and the standard
OF victory almost be discerned half way ad-
vanced before a bow is struck. But the irregular
candidates traverslng Jordan,s rugged pavement
have smpnacay hard ID road to travel
by many false lights on the shore that they know
not whittier they are drifting. Inc result VIII be
pledges OF mercenary supporters, they Will go up
rs balloons and must come down in the ordinary
way of such aerial traversers AZ sucks.
II Ia a singular matter Tor consideration how tho
importance OF q struggle for police magistrate Is
magnfed into such proportions. Generally the can
didates Saving those renomndted and those n0min-
ated) are OF the ordinary. caiibre OF men,
who might have talent equal to keep
ing grocery store or, what is better, and which,
indeed, generally prepares them for candidates
Tor political Ie-a corner liquor store; but beyond
tIus Recommendation ana qualincati0n lew OF them
nave any just pretenSons or claims for the ollce.
Nevertheless, one curious feature prominent In the
claims Of ali outside candidates is that they com.
blne al the Christian virtues and they are the most
moral, honest and reliable members OF the commu.
nity. the regular nominees, on the other hand are
Nj mat Is bad, unreliable, the creatures OF ring,
and 10 the ike effect. IL Is a compromising fact,
however, to the select that the number OF their
virtues are few the merits OF the leaders are many
This political can't however, does not amount to
much, aud gives no consolation to defeat. The
nominees or the regular organization TO be sup
nj rauan f MOI wi martin
merits which advance them beyond the line Of the
rank and ME and recommend them TO position.
In tins election there have been many special
agencies forced into the In addition to the
claims Of special fitness OF the irregular candidates
thcie have been all sorts OF combinations and con.
spiracies on looS. Thus democrats are seen buying
Gus the nominations o republican conventions and
tine leaders OF those conventions for certain con.
alterations giving nominations TO democrats. In
Another drectlnu Ia sec. altemLt To lrInQ