The New York herald., 1874-11-01
WEsTCHEsIER POLITICS.

Probabilities Regarding the Political
Groundswell-The Excise Problem
flaguing It's Inventors.
As election day approaches 1t requires no un-
usual amount OF sagaclty to perceive that the
political groundswel which has set in Is fraught
with disaster to the republican cause In West
chester county. That this condition OF affairs
Is known to the party leaders may be inferred
rom the apathy into which some OF
them have subslded and the utter indifference
they manifest in the contest; while the almost
frantic appeals OF the local administration organs
to "stand by the party ticket" are answered only
by gloomy looks and grim smiles on the part Of
the rank and file. THIS lukewarmness, or what
ever else 1t may be termed, Is especially no.
ticeaple among republicans living in the rural
districts, where the present scarcity OF money,
owing to the paralyzed state Of nearly all indus
trial pursuits combined with the cherries aspects
OF the immediate future have brought about
depression and dissatisfaction where party fealty
and political enthusiasm were wont to be nur-
tured. Not the most insignificant among the
which have contributed to this result Is the
obnoxious manner IN which the excise interests
OF the county were handled at Albany last
winter, whereby Westchester was singled out as
A TARGET FOR SPECIAL LEGISLATION,
which not only deprived the people OF the privi-
o. hn na an tns IN 81 sne
the county OF q large sum OF money formerly re-
celved from the granting OF licenses and used Tor
the support OF the poor eand the worst feature OF
this bungllng legislation is, that to-day
there is no excise law in the county, each
when ana how ne chooses, with impnniry. 1t Is
not improbable that those who were instrumental
s
and that instead OF winning It was . losing
game they played. That the bin was introduced
IN the Legislature by the republican candidate for
Congress Is proving
DEAD WEIGHT
to that aspiring gentleman in the race for Con-
gresslonal honOrs. The dsatiecton In the repub.
lican party assumes singular aspects, some OF the
more Intelligent members thereof having avowed
''the interests OF tue country require cnange in
the affairs OF government" When to these un-
disguised evidences OF discomfort Is added the de-
fection occasioned by the prohibition movement
1t need not be wondered at that the republican
politicians are awaiting the peoples verdict In
PROSPECTS OF THE DEMOCRACY
Generalization OF their heretofore formidable op.
ponents, nave forgotten any petty local dlssen.
may may have threatened TO impair their rs strength
and, having closed up their ranks, are now march.
ing shoulder to shoulder toward what will
probably prove sweeping victory for them
on Tuesday. Every indication now seems to war
rant the prediction that n. Holmes Odeil. the
W wSS nrss
members OF Assembly to be chosen, there is
scarcely any doubt entertained that In
the First Assembly district Dennis R. Shell,
democrat Will be elected over E. Y.
Bell, the republican nominee. In the Second
district the matter Of q choice o! candidates by
the people appears to have passed beyond the do
main OF speculation, tine question now being as to
date Charles M. Schlefen over his political rival,
George w. Davenport. Although the democrats
Of the Third district are working hard TO
effect change IN the towns composing 1t, the
pa.pabe probabilities are in favor OF Major Gen.
eral James W. Husted's again carrying II over over
majority. The nght over the county offices prom.
ises to be closely contested, especially those OF
Daniel Clark Briggs, the republican candidate,
however, are still sanguine OF his being reelected
to the former position by o handsome majority.