The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-19

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The CeusresslenaI Contest.
There IL more than the usual amount OF ex-
element over the coming contest for the
nominations on the Congressional ticket to be
elected in this city in November next. This
does not so much arise from the attitude taken
by two adverse political parties a. from the
hesitation of the Tammany Regency to select
candidates. The policy Of that party ostensi-
bly, is to leave the nominations Of candidates
to the nominating conventions appointed in
the several wards and districts, the leaders
reserving merely revisionary power, with the
privilege of making such changes in the
names Of parties as the ever varying temper
and policy of the powers that be deem adyisa
Bile. If this policy were rlgidly observed it
would throw upon the several candidates the
herculean task Of manufacturing political capt.
tai with the members OF county, district and
ward nominating conventions, according TO the
Office sought for by the candidate. One de-
sirable object, however, attained by this new
plan is, that It to very considerable extent
relieves the Tammany leaders or great deal
OF the political pressure and personal impor-
tunity to which they were heretofore subjected
under the old plan, while it at the same time
protects them from much of the odium which
is naturally felt for the man in power by the
disappointed place hunter.
The struggle for the Congressional nomina-
tons in this city partakes very much of the
nature of this new phase Of dealing
with candidates. In the Fourth Congress
sional district Tammany appears to hold
aloof from evinciug particular favor for
any one candidate over another-leav-
ing to each to develop his individual
strength and popularity and thereby prove his
claims to be considered worthy Of Tammany
endorsement. The candidates In the field are
all strong men, and each, for his specially, very
popular. First in the field, az he il undoubt-
edly first so far in the race, Is Robert B.
Roosevelt, who has one strong recommends
ton, that he Ia to the manner born-being q
native of the district Independent of this it is
peculiarly commercial district, most of its
interests being connected with the business
and commerce Of the port, and Mr.. Roosevelt,
as the descendant Of very old commercial
family, may very naturally be considered as
identified with those interests and as having
the support of all those persons most intimately
connected with them.
The district is almost thoroughly Irish, how
ever, and this, to some extent, ia in favor Of
his opponents. One OF these is General
Mcmahon, late Mioister to Paraguay, and
whose record during the war would entitle him
to the suffrages of his fellow citizens for almost
any Office within their gift. Algernon s. Sui
Ivan is another candidate claiming the Irish
support as his just and well earned need for
his devotion TO the cause on all national ques-
TONS
Mr.. Roosevelt, however, will assuredly re-
ccive all the support that the Democratic
Union party can give him, backed by the slight
republican vote in the district, and as, not
withstanding this opposing influence, he stands
well with Tammany, it may be safely con-
cluded, from the policy Of the regency referred
to above, that he will get the nomination Of the
convention and the endorsement of Tammany.