The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-23
Our New York Letter.
The New York Campnign-Je J ohm Kelley
and his Coherts-Running the Party for
the Benefit Of Tramps-The senatorshir.

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 1877.
We are in the midst OF our annual endemic
In politics, but 1.-THE symptoms are much less
acute than usual. The respective state conyen-
lions showed signs of livelness, and there was
Ior while prospect of a vigorous campaign.
But the excitement died cut very quickly. and
llanguor ensued which augursl q light vote
and feeble contest, at least ip this part of the
state. Both parties are hampered by disadyan-
tages. The Democrats are divided into two
factions, between which there Is irrecon-
cilable feud. 1t is impossible that there should
be any genuine fellowship between the follow
ers of Tilden and the men who ruled the state
aforetime, vulgarly known as the "Canal Ring"
when they venture to say what they think,
they abuse each other roundly. The "parties
OF the hrst part aver that the Canal Ring Is
gigantc organization, maintained to secure
place and plunderi to its adherents. While
Mr.. Tilden was governor he instigated
prosecutions against some of the prominent
leaders, with q view not merely to drive
them from power, but to punish then as
felons. Now these same men have regained
control of the party machinery and 1t is
pursuers. They allege that Mr.. Tilden's policy
of reform" was all a sham; that it was not
the welfare of the state, but the advancement
of his own political fortunes he was striving
for; that nothing has been gained for the teas
ury or saved by the Taxpayers through his pre-
tentious efforts; and that as soon as he had ac-
complished his aim of securing the Presider-
tisl nomination there was an end of the pro-
ceedings. They have boldly thrown over the
state officers who now hold their places by his
will, substituting ticket com mposed of candi-
dates belonging to- stheir own set, headed By a
man who is especially obnoxious to the REFORM
ers, on account of his Identification with the
Canal interest.
This state Of things would serve as the prov
ocation for very pretty quarrel amorg the
fierce Democracy, If it were not for the rigid
discipline which keeps their ranks together.
They are so thoroughly drilled in obedience to
the orders of their chiefs that they always
smother their resentments on election day and
vote the whole" 1t is not probable, there-
fore, that these internal ,dissensions will have
any appreciable effect on their strength at the
polls, though it may cool their ardor somewhat
and make it difficult for them to bring out their
full force.
Here in the city upon which they count to
overbear aIy majority the Republicans of the
interior can throw, the regular organization
is under the absolute and undisputed sway of
John Kelley. Hisl subjects, ,.Iperhaps, are not
nearly SO tractable and contentful as they
appear to be. There would be more self-asser-
ton among them, no doubt If 1t were not so
dangerous to intimate the sslightest dissent
from his DEGREES. But he has an unconquera-
BILE will andsthe courage to enforce 1t, and who
| eyer has the temerity to question his dictation
must pay the forfeit of his rashness by instant
| expulsion. He is the strongest leader by all
odds that ever ruled the cohorts of Tammany.
Sweeuey's despotism was quite as imperious
but then he employed the persuasive influences
oficorrupton to maintain his ascendency. He
had city treasury at his command, and un-
scrupulous confederates to help him to its con-
tents He had the means to buy the applause
or silence the censure Of the newspapers. His
was domination of craft and cunning, not of
pluck and mettle. Mr.. Kelley il an honess
man. He levies no trbute!upon the exchequer
| to support his .mastership, Beyond such use
of patronage as is, held by all Democrats to be
the legitimate perquislte Of q governing ma
| jority he has no rewards to, bestow for allegi-
ance. These are altogether toe. .inconsiderable to
account for his puissance. There are few
prizes in the municipal lottery worth the hay
ing, and not more than score or two that are
sufficiently tempting to warrant the eager and
often prolonged quest of which they are the
object. The tenacity of his hold upon the con-
idence and fidelity of his fellow. .partisans is
10
partly to his remarkable force of character,
and in no small degree to the ductility Of his
followers.
There is of course an anti-Tammany party;
there always has been; presumably there al
ways will be 1t is led mainly by disaffectsd
seceders from the wigwam. It probably does
not average any higher in morality or patriot
ism than the trunk whence it was Topped But
any movement which threatens to disturb an
oligarchy which is dangerous because of its
compactness and tyrannical tendencies deserves
encouragement. Two years ago there was q
fusion between the anti-Tammany Democrats
and the Republicans, and they carried the city
by an immense majority. One year ago Tam
many was permitted : o walk over the course
without any real opposition. Now project Is
under consideration to combine the hostile
forces for another encounter. The experiment
is worth trying, though it does not look so
hopeful as the former one did. There are no
candidates to put in the field around whom
good citizens would rally as they did in support
of Recorder Hackett and District Attorney
Phelps. The Tammanyites have spiked the
heaviest gun the opposition ever depended up
on by nominating Judge Brady for the Supreme
bench. They felt obliged to follow suit il il
were merely for consistency's sake, so the
Judge is likely to be without competitor.
However, there is the lucrative office of Regis
ter to be filled, and there are also two Marine
Court Justices, twenty-five aldermen, six
State Senators, and twenty one members of the
Assembly to be elected. The candidates nomi-
mated by Tammany average better than they
usually do. There are no very Objectionable
names among them. Evidently the selections
were influenced by apprehensions that there
would be fight, and that 1t was not best to
overload the ticket by putting great deal Of
dead weight upon 1t.
Concerning the State tickets there Is yery
little enthusiasm on either side. The Offices TO
be filled are of no great Importance. So longa Q
honest men are named for them, that answer
S'oAy PuApVoo. Auo OoCtotdIy VI OtAb6 Is VIZ
tually the head clerk of the Governor, and
holds place vastly inferior in every thing but
the glamour of title to many clerkships in
financial institutions in the city. The Attor-
usy General is functionary Of. some dstinc-
ton, but the post is only worth holding asa
means of establishing position which will be
help to the private practice Of the incumbent
after his term expires The real conflict will
be for the control of the State Senate. the mem
bers of which will participate in the choice Of
United States Senator in February, 1879. But
for that issue, doubt if anything could shake
the apathy of the people. The Republicans
have been in state Of bewilderment and de-
moralization ever since the Inauguration of the
new administration. 1t was not the so called
"policy" alone that dazed them. Their aston.
ishment began earlier than that. They
couldn't reconcile themselves Immediately to
the selection OF cabinet, in a majority of
whom it would take powerful microscope to