The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-07
How Now York speaks I'm tho Eiec-
tfon.

|
that in which the contest between Mr.. Nor
rissey and Mr. Schell was waged, much per-
sonal feeling was manifested by the par
tisans of the candidates, there were
not so many disturbances of the peace
as are usual on election day. The threat
ened storm was fortunately postponed and
the weather was clear and bright although
a keen wind served to remind those whose
duty kept them at the polls of the approach
| of winter. AS rule there was little
| or no excitement in the vicinity OF the
polling places, the voter walking quietly
up to deposit his ballot with up
parent Indifference as to the result.
Throughout the city there were evident in
dications of the advantage realized by Tam
many in the discipline of its organization,
the men on that side working efficiently
and the arrangements for ballots and booths
being admirable. On the other side the
lack of organization was illustrated by the
fact that in the lower districts Of the city
ti-Tammany ballots could not be OBJ
tanned.
The result in the State, in accordance
with general expectation, has been demo-
cratic victory. The utter decentralization OF
the republican party after the Rochester
Convention was too evident to render the
defeat of the ticket problematical. 1t was,
indeed, anticipated that the democratic
majority would be much larger than
it is, and such probably would have
been the case but for the disaffection
manifested ct Albany. No doubt an attempt
will be made to fasten on Mr.. Conkling the
stigma of having lost the State through his
antagonism to the national administration.
But this cannot fairly be done since New
York has been democratic since 1874 and
cast much larger majority against Hayes,
comparatively with the total vote, last
year, than it casts against Conkling now.
Besides, the administration republicans
who denounced the Rochester platform and
speeches Endorsed the State ticket and
therefore precluded themselves from charg-
ing the defeat it has encountered to
Senator Conkling's account. Either they
were insincere in indorsing the Rochester
ticket or are as much responsible for
its defeat as Mr.. Conkling is. The
democrats may, perhaps, find that
they have drawn q white elephant in
the lottery which has given them the prize
Of victory. The influences which brought
about the nomination of the successful State
ticket are supposed to be inimical to Cover
nor Tilden and his State policy as being con-
tinued under Governor Robinson. The State
officers elect will speedily have to
choose whether they will work in harmony
with Governor Robinsons administration
or will array themselves against his policy.
If they adopt the former course they must
certainly disappoint the elements that
placed them in power. If the latter, they
will array against themselves the best por-
ton of the democracy Of the State.
The returns thus far received indicate
that the Senate is very close. A tie in that
body seems not improbable nnd the majority
either way will be small, with the chances
now favoring the democrats. The repub-
licans have carried the Assembly by
small majority. This is great mis-
fortune to the State, as it will no
doubt insure the continuance of the par
tisan and disgraceful obstruction Of the
reapportionment demanded by the consti-
tuition. 1t will also cripple and en-
barrass Governor Robinsons excellent
administration. The republicans will,
however, through this undeserved sue
cess, find themselves compelled to show
their hands on the proposed amendment to
the constitution curtailing the elective fran
chise, and this will be severe political en-
barrassment to many of their number.
Their hands will be tied by the Governors
veto power, and we need not therefore anti
cipate any harmful legislation.
The local result in the city is in its politi-
col aspect undecisive, the Tammany de-
mocracy having probably lost more than
they have gained by it. The prominent
figure in the canvass has been John Nor
rissey, and he was made so by the voluntary
act of the Tammany leaders. There was no
reason why the Register should not
have been put forward as the repre-
sentative Office on which the issue of
Tammany or anti-Tammany was to be
fought out. The Register runs throughout
the city, while Mr.. Morrissey ran only in
Senatorial district. Yet Tammany chose to
make its principal fight against John Nor
rissey, and as his defeat was the main object
sought to be achieved by the rank and file
and most imperiously demanded by the
leaders, so his success will be regarded as
the special discontinue of Tammany, and
will overshadow the more substantial
county victory. There is no reason why
this should have been So except that the
leaders chose to identify the policy
Of the party with their own per-
sonal feelings and wishes. The tri-
umph of Mr.. Morrissey is as complete
as it lis surprising, and he stands conspicu-
ously forward now as the leader Of the anti
Tammany democracy, which has heretofore
been hydra-headed. He had to contend
~hcx L..