New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-19
PHILADELPHIA POLITICS.


THE CONGRESSIONAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
"CUr AND DRIED BY THE RING-How CASDI-
DATES ARE SELECTED - PREMATURE SLATE
MAKING.
FROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUSEl
PHILADELPHIA, June i6.-It is long time before
the Fall election comes off, but local pohticlans
have pretty much arranged the Congressional nom-
nations, which is all there is OF much Importance 10
quarrel over this year. Customhouse Offices Post
Office clerkships and good deal of patronage in the
way of places in the civilian departments at the
Navy-Yard are dispensed by the City Congressman,
and it is of no small Importance to send the right
men down to Washington to distribute these nice
plums where they will do the most good. For the
benefit of the few innocent readers who imagine
that the representatives of the people are put IN
nomination by conventions freely chosen by the in
dependent voters of their districts, may remark by
way of preface that these same independent voters
have about as much TO do with the matter as they
have with observing the transit OF Venus. The
business is managed by that potent organization
known as the Ring. Whether A. B. or c. ID. Is to be
run n the party candidate in certain district. Is
sometimes pulling question TO the knot OF patri-
otto gentlemen who compose this organization, but
it is not supposed remotely to concern the men who
do the voting. The Ring decides who the nominee
shall be- ard issues its instructions 10 its numerous
retinue of officials in the City Government the Gus
tom-house the Post-Otfice and the Navv-Yard. and
to the still moro numerous throng Of unofficial
hangers-on who live by crumbs OF patronage thrown
them now and then rewards for the display of
what Mr.. Civil Service Reformer Kellogg calls mere
party zealD Those faithful subOrdiuates thereupon
hold the primaries elect themselves delegates TO the
Convention and elk the thing up without the least
ado l. is all as sure and simple clock-wak II
an aspiring candidate rebels against the system he
can do nothing The whole machinery of the party
is turned against him. and TO say that he is crushed
very inadequately expresses the humiliation that
overtakes him.
The old Congress districts of the city have been
remodeled under the apportionment law.
Bucks County used to belong to of the districts,
but 1t is now left out, leaving five districts in the
city proper This arrangement has thrown two Of
the present Representatives. Messrs. Harmer and
Myers into the new With District, and has produceda
brisk fight between their supporters. Myers is the
more popular, especially among the carpet weayers
and other workingnen who furnish the largest con-
tingent of Republican votes. He is also much the
more influential IN Washington, and has zealously
upheld for many terms in Congress the peculiar IN
terests of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. The Ring
has decided according to report TO give the nominal
ton to Harmer. who though OF less account at
Washington appears TO be an active politician at
home. If this be the decision Mr. Myers stands no
chance, and will, as matter Of course, withdraw
from the contest.
The lid District will return Charles O'Neil
without opposition in the party. The Hid is the
only Democratic district. and will no doubt send
back It's old representative. Samuel j. Randall The
Ring could count him out if it wanted TO- presume.
hut il has heretofore had the decency TO allow the
Democrats one memh er out of iye and will not be
likely 20 adopt any new policy now. William d.
Kelley of the WITH District will have two more years
at least to talk about the "bailiol-mongers Of
Europe and 10 urge initiation, 365 bonds, and high
tariff upon the House. In the Lt District the field
is clear for Neither of the present menu
bers resides in il, and it does not that the
Ring has a candidate a. yet. Chapman Freeman,
prominent and wealthy member Of the bar, George
Handy Smith, O member OF the Last Legislature.
Col d. b. Branson aud Thomas Cockerill. are the
competitors, with the chances rather IN favor of
smith, Gen. McCandess, influential Democrat,
is seeking the nomination Of his party.
The politicians of both parties appear to think
that everything is going to along in the old ruts
next FALL and are planning the campaign if there
were TO be no desertions. no independent factions
appearing on the field to take part in the fight no
new battle cries. uplifting of new standards to
rally honest intelligent voters who long for reform.
These tricksters and wire-pullers who have made
such profitable trade of politics for the last ten
fifteen years are making their states early. Ring
ridden as Philadelphia is the mutterings of revolt
against the rule of corrupt politicians heard all
over the West will break out here long before cleo
tion day comes round. if am not greatly mistaken.
THE MASSACHUSETTS LABOR REFORM PARTY.
BosroN June 1S.-At meeting of the State
Central Committee of Labor Reform Party yester
day. It was finally decided 10 make nomination OF
candidates for officers this year. II also de-
clded 10 draw up E,ghtboar law for all classes Of
laborng men, women and children, and to present 10
every candidate for office this Fall for explicit answer
as TO whether he will support IT, Tue OF the meet
Ing was that instead Of making Independents nomins-
tons party should the balance OF power which
claims election of such u1cn only vs. are
favorable TO Its principles