The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-05
ONONDAGA COUNTY.
C-,..,-... -.
SYRACUSE, Jan. 4, 1870


The late Chairman Of the Finance Committee OF the
Senate, Mr.. d. P.wood who had his eye the State
Comprollership for 76 and III but who was politically
bot:ed out last winter by the revelations made con-
corning the suspicious manipulaons by somebody Of
the Supply bill Of IA aud his profitable a
canal claim lawyer replaced Senator at the last
election by Mr. Dennis Mccarthy. The new Senator is
like Wood republican He is a dry goods merchant
in this city, and some years ago member OF Con-
gress Mr. Mccarthy, as he said himself, when your
correspondent had conversation with him relative to
the spring election question, is not rule, "non-
committaln political questions However, he was
very loaIh to talk the subject at all and would not
give even an indirect answer for some time to the
question whether he thought a separation of the
municipal election in New York from the
general election would or would not be
beneficial the citys interest III do not think he
remarked "that 1t would be quite proper for say
exactly what ought to do in the Senate II this CUES,
ton should come up and had to vote upon it In
fact" said he, growing little facetious II am not
yet a Senator, and have not been sworn in and
think, besides, am not person whose opinion would
have great weight anyhow. Ben Butler, or some man
like hun, would be the man 10 talk tor He then
1.-The question is one 10 which have not given
very much thought, and there may possibly be many
good for separating the elections as
there may be for the separation"
Your correspondent suggested that Mr. Mccarthy
could judge OF The probable good results that uld
IRON spring municipal election in New York
from tho results obtained in his city, where The
municipal election takes place in February.
al do not think. he replied, "that it would be fair
to compare Syracuse TO New York in this matter but
my opinion Is that that system which allows the voter
the best opportunity reflection ca indicates
he should vote for is decidedly the bestn Then
added, ''You must, Dir. Mccarthy ooncede then that
separate municipal election affords the voter better
opportunity to decide MS to what local candidates he
SHOULD for than general election when the local
and State candidates together majority OF all
the local candidates being, in TACT on the ticket
He replied, III a separate election for municipal
officers allows the voter better chance dscrmin-
ate between good and bad candidates. and gives him
greater surety against voting unntenuonaly for men
he does not want to vote Tor, why then it would be
better. However, think the elections have been held
pretty well IN New York lately The voters certainly
did some good work there last in November
AssEMBLYMAN MONROE
Allen Monroe. wealthy property holder Of this city
who years ago State Senator from this county
is the gentleman who defeated "Old Sat Avord in the
Assembly Nominating Convention OF the First district
by four votes, and who was elected to succeed him by
large majority met him at his Office in this city,
aud had difficulty elictng from him his views on
the question Not having any good cause to be trim
mer he did not hesitate instant about giving his
opinion frankly, nor try 10 buoy himself up with Ifs
and ands to make his position doubtful Alter little
preliminary talk about matters and things generally, he
81 have always been of the opinion that cleo
for municipal officers should take place the
same day as general election, and have as yet to
find the argument that could change that opinion.
To my mind the interests OF all cities stand
the same footing in this regard, DO they
and If there should be any difference at all think the
argument holds better for large city than for small
one. IL necessarily follows that In great city like
New York the local candidates numerous than
u smaller city aud where there many conflict
ing interests and 50 many opportunities for deception
when she voter votes for most of his local candidates
not only the same day, but the ticket with
the State candidates, is clear to my mind that sepa
rate election would be Of immense advantage. II !
would certainly enable the voter TO cast his vote with
more discrimination. Instead Of voting for ques-
onable democratic republican candidate for local
tha nf fhn
a democrat or a republican, and votes his party State
ticket accordingly, he could deal with the local cand-
as hSs y SGs Sss s9
take the time, but | understand IL very
few care to take the time 10 study the tickets
thoroughly or to pick out the proper local candidates.
particularly when 10 suit the purposes OF the small
ward politicians, Of local candidates are badly
"mixedn sometimes on both State tickets believe
the only argument used some years ago. when the New
York charter election held in December, by those
who advocated its beng held the same day the
State election was that the change would be saving
Of expense TO the taxpayers not say anything about
a saving OF time. But consider that very weak ar
gument IT. by holding the municipal election in the
spring or at some different time during the year from
the general election, voters Afforded better chance
to select at their leisure better local candidates than
they could in the general scramble for State and local
officers together Ii possible that the voters cannot
all be got out TO the polls al separate charter election
when the attraction state candidates is taken awav
But that is their own lookout. IL they are given by
separate election the opportunity TO concentrate their
whole strength upon good local candidates and
ana not Of the separate election. Indeed with
the trading and log-rolling absent, which are
so prevalent when State and city candidates
at the same time local election oven If the voters
did not turn out as strongly at the State election
would yet be advantage for the better class OF
voters From all hear this class has ofsiate be-
more than ever alive TO the necessity of going TO
the polls when important local issaes are at stake.
Since the overthrow OF the TammsDy Ring they have
learned that their votes count Under all the clrcum
stances then, think spring election for New York
city for local officers is the right idea"
AssEMBLYMAN SMITH
Carroll f. smith, who represents the Second district
OF the county, - editor In answer to your cor
respondents question as to what he thought the
subject he at hrst gave very strange reply have
never given the matter a thought" said he He ac-
knowledged nnally that he had read the HKRALD's
articles on the subject but he prepared to- give
decided opinion way the other It's merits
or dement's. On hearing that Mr Mccarthy had said
that that system was the most desirable which gave
the voter the best opportunity 70 gently he
remarked that he agreed With that opinion.