The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-16
THE QUAKER CITY ISSUE.

tne bebI Wen OF the Common W. olths
Independents OF Party-What George
w. Childs and Colonel ,. w. Fornsy
Have to Say I'm HIS Favor-Interview
with Mr.. Littleton-His Surprise at the
Herald's Lettcrs-BoId Effort on the
Part Of the Ring.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. Is, 1874
In q great political issue like the one in luture
for this city there is no telling what an hour may
bring forth. Last night, at bedtime. the rumor
upon the street was that Mr.. Littleton would not
accept the nomination for the Mayoralty,
even were IL offered him, while the conditions as
sunrise this morning not only indicate the re-
verse OF this, but also show that the chances for
his election are not to be ndinerenty set aside by
the powers that be, The TACT OF this whole bust
ness Is that the circumstances which brought
about Mr. Littleton's selection by the reformers
and democrats are but vaguely comprehended by
the republicans, and they do not imagine
for moment how many prominent diplomatic
and influential individuals back him up. Your
correspondent has the means OF knowing Just who
have signed the paper urging his personal accept
ance OF the honor, and recognizes among them
many who have not only always stood before the
community as upright and unimpeachable repub-
licans, but, at the same time, those very persons
who have hitherto been regarded as earnest sup
porters OF the administration. The document, Of
which an analysis was given two days ago exciu-
sively IN the HERALD, and which makes Its ap-
pearance In the local press Of to-day, urges Mr..
Lltteton to accept the nomination as the
CITIZENS CONSTITUTIONAL CANDIDATE.
and that document Is already signed by many in
fuential persons, irrespective OF prejudice and
party.
While your correspondent would not for one
moment underrate the extraordinary power Of the
reconcIed and cooperating combinations OF Stokley
and Manu. he would not. on the other hand, draw
too rigid lines about the new movement OF o con-
sntutional caste, which is daily and hourly more
and more rapidly developing. As was stated in
to-day's issue Of the HERALD, the selection
OF Littleton took every one by surprise.
For years and years, indeed from the
very hour in which he arss figured In politics. he
has ever been recognized as q republican, stanch
and true. but at the same time as an enemy OF
cliques, combinations and rings 1t Is certain
that, under such circumstances, the democratic
party, acting alone in this matter, would never
have selected him its candidate 1t is as certain
on the other hand. that such movement would
have been equally as impossible upon the part OF
the republicans; and yet. when the best blood Of
all parties meet in communion, Mr.. Lttleto Is
selected
IN PREFERENCE TO ALL OTHERS.
The result of the coalition has been commonly
regarded as surprising; perhaps the result OF the
campaign may be equally 80. The Ring, robbed OF
Its power to manipulate the ballot box and rem
dered unable TO ascertain its success at the polls
during different hours OF the day. may greatly
0verrate its present strength: and, consequently,
decided upon honest returns. However this may
be, There is one thing regarded certain. viz.
that II the democrats, as party, endorse Mr.. Little
ton, as few of their representatives have lately
done, he must carry with him an enormous power,
sale US a wager Ia the other. If the democrats as
party, however, repudiate Mr.. Llttleton and take
up an out and cut party representative, Mr.. Little
ton himself ceases to remain q candidate, and
takes no personal prominence In the contest at all.
In an
INTERVIEW WITH MR. LITrIEroN
this morning he assured your correspondent that
he had the least courJed the ONCE, and gave
me to understand that unless he were heartily
assured that his nomination by the people
would be acceptable TO the general pub
Tic. irrespectye Of politics, he would not
a champion. Upon this point the Ring are fully
convinced, and hence they Will use every means
date upon the democratic party, and, by splitting
the union towards which minor factions are now
tending, Will seek TO render victory Of compara-
tive ease 10 themselves. In conversation with
COLONEL J. W. FORNEY
a few hours ago, hen your correspondent asked
MN whether he did not think that there were men
representing themselves as prominent democrats
In the city who were In reality acting
according to the mandates and Inducements
OF the present republican Ring, he said to me that
1t was absolutely true, and he said, moreover, he
was as certain that by the actual vote at the
cumDents were defeated, as he was certain he was
not elected himself. He assured me that the Ring
under the old constitution had absolute power over
the ballot box, and that they could render to the
commonwealth any returns that they pleased.
Colonel Forney anticipates different Or
der Of things for the future, and may be
regarded as a strong opponent oil the present
administration. He told me that he believed there
existed, independent OF tue so-calied democrats
the RING, great many earnest ana sincere demo-
cratic partlsans who would prefer and who he
halfn uAAw I'M O la a -Nndn ptf tctat
Colonel Forney spoke in the very highest terms OF
Mr.. Littleton, assured me that he would do ali he
could lOr him, and stated, moreover, that he would
would sign the letter urging his acceptance OF the
nomination as the peoples constitutional candi-
date. He also thought that, In case pure demo-
crat were selected, Judge Porter would be the
man.
During the course OF very pleasing and informal
interview with
Mr.. GEORGE w. cHrLDs
publisher and proprietor OF the Itotic Ledger, the
gentleman spoke earnestly In behalf OF MIR. Little
toms ability and personal integrity, against which.
he said, no man could justly say word. He said
that he was familiar with the genteman's
who had been left an orphan and who
had attained his present high position by means
Of personal industry and without reproach was
corning the part the Ledger would take in the
present campaign neither Mr.: Childs nor your cor
respondent said q word. but was assured that the
Ledger might always be considered ~ the sturdy
opponent OF clIques and rings.
Inc AGE wiz endorse Nr; Llttleton througnous
ing expresses qualification at their non-par tlsan
movement in these words 1.-THE friends Of the
new constitution can win most important VIC
tory by putting up non-partisan ticket In Febru-
airy. They can secure crushing defeat by listen
ing to the syren songs OF those who declare for
pure tickets. The people OF Philadelphia must
choose between the two paths"
Mr.. stokley, however, and his friends are in the
meantime vigorously at work. IL Is folly 10 under
rate their strength. Under Mr.. Stokey's rule tile
city has been better governed than ever before,
and all speak in the highest terms OF the manner
which he attacked gamblers and thieves
and punished the participants in every variety OF
crime. better police force than his never has
sale arrest he has melted out justice and
punishment as freely to his friends as to his ene-
miles, and under his rule the city mas always been
quiet and orderly. The main arguments brought
against him are that he WAS placed IN ONCE
through the power OF the Ring; that lie Is identified
with the Ring now, and that he was strenuOusly
opposed to the adoption OF the new constitution.
These are the arguments brought against nun by
the opposition. and should be considered IN pre-