The New York herald., 1878-08-24
some Facts and Figures 20 Thi"k
About.

tney nave u rlRnt 10 eAPeCeto wiz III PoiAS'-
cal contest. But of late years the conviction
has grown upon men that in choosing mu-
nicipal officers it is wise not to submit to
the restriction of party lines. The folly of
yielding blind fealty to political leaders
in local elections was forcibly shown by
the experience of the unfortunate years of
Tweed's supremacy, and the voters OF New
York can no longer be driven by party dis
cipline to support local candidates OF an
Objectionable character. When equally
acceptable nominees appear on both sides
in charter election 1t is natural that
men should support their political
sympathizers in preference to their politi-
cal antagonists. But when party, how
ever powerful, puts forward Objectionable
or doubtful candidates in a charter election
in these days it cannot hold its strength
and courts defeat. Men are readily influ-
enced when their personal interests are in
volved, and this is the case in municipal
election; for capable, strong, self-reliant
local government means the progress Of the
city, the prosperity of it's inhabitants, en-
couragement to enterprise and employment
for labor, while an inefficient, dishonest
administration means the reverse Of all
these.
prove that since the downfall OF the old
Tammany Ring the people Of New York
have been prepared to ignore party con-
siderations in voting tor local officers
In 1872 q mixed reform" ticket was
elected in the city, although at that time. it
is true, the regular democratic organiza-
tion was in no condition to elect anything
In 1874 Tammany had been reorganized
under Mr.. Kelly leadership and elected Mr.
Wickham Mayor, the people being salts
fed with his nomination. But In the same
year Tammany nominated an unacceptable
candidate tor Register, combination was
made against him, and while the Tammany
Mayor received a large majority the 4 am
many Register was badly defeated.
In 1875 Tammany rashly few in the
face OF public sentiment by refusing to
nominate Recorder Hackett, and, however
honest in its purpose, was disastrously
overthrown, losing every county candidate
on its ticket.
In 1876 Tanlmany conceded to popular
sentiment the nomination of Mr.. Ely as
Mayor and he was elected by a
little over $4,000 majority. But in the
same year Tammany nominated Croker,
very Objectionable partisan, for Coroner,
and although there was no open COM
bination against him Mr.. Stiner, the
republican nominee for the same Office,
came within $500 votes of an election.
The Coroner runs through the whole
city, thus proving that o Tammany
nomination offensive to the people cost
that party without any organized move
ment against it, over 25, 900 votes.
In 1877, last year, Tammany nominated
Judge Loew for Register. He was an ac-
cepta5le candidate and we'll supported by
the press But the manner of his nomina-
ton at the eleventh hour in place Of the
announced candidate was Objectionable to
some, and partial combination was made
against him on Mr.. Hess, the republican
nominee. Through the treachery OF some
of the parties in this combination the Hess
ballots were destroyed in the lower districts
OF the city. Yet Judge Loew's majority
over Mr. Hess was only 2,OS6, although the
majority in the city for Mr.. Olcott for Comp
troller, at the same polls, was AZ, 500. These
figures tell their own story.
1t is q liberal estimate to calculate on q
total vote of 14O. 600 this year, giving 92, 900
to the democrats united and AZ, 600 to the
republicans united. This would give the
democracy a party majority OF A, 900, or
higher majority than Mr.. Olcott received
last year. To test the reliability of this
estimate we give the total vote and republi-
can vote for four years past, which were:-
In 1874-Total vote, 1873, 900; republican
vote, $4,000. In 1875-Total vote, 129, 900;
republican vote, $4,000. In 1876 Dresden
tial) l)--Total vote, 40, 200; republican vote,
10000. In 1S77-Total vote 125, 1000; re-
publican vote, $4,000.
In pcll of 14O, 600 the anti-Tammany
democratic vote proper may be fairly esti-
mated at 10000. In 1876 Mayor Ely polled
112,0 600 and Coroner Croker 83,0 votes,
showing a direct democratic anti nti.Tammany
strength without organization of $4,000.
Last year Mr.. Olcott for Comptroller re-
ce;ved in the city $1,000 and Judge Loew
for Register 63000 votes, showing 81 200
anti-Tammany democratic votes. although
the German anti-Tammany strength went
mainly for Loew. This year anti ammany
proper will probably receive the strength
of Governor Robinson, Mr.. Tilden and the
Department OF Public Works, moderately
ton q poll of 10000 would be thus
divided
Tammany democracy. cy....................... 81. 900
RepubIica (unit ~, 900
AMI ramma any, Tildcn, &c &c.............. ~, 600
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 140 OO0
This leaves out Of consideration the labor