The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-29
Our New York Letter.
The Political Campaign-The Despotism
Of fTammany-Mr. Hewitis Defent-The
in the State.

NEW YORK, Oct. %, 1878.
Politics supersede everything else at this
stage of the campaign. Besides the contest in
the state for seats in Congress and the lower
house of the Legislature, the battle against the
power Cf Tammany Hall WAKES fierce. A coal
ition of revolving Democrats and Republicans
confronts that formidable organization. 1t is
quite impossible to reckon the strength of the
opposing hosts. The Republicans, when they
are compact and united, can muster about
third of the voters of the city. IT the ant-Tam-
many men can draw off something more than a
sixth Of the residue from the regulars the COM
bination will succeed. Both sides profess great
confidence, and probably feel great uneasiness
Tammauy, as represented by Mr.. Kelly, is to
all intents and purposes despotism. Not one
OF his followers, no matter what his rank or
viuir- >~--ia-sssfvui k---- ..aaraant calls
in question the orders of bis chief. But after
all it is perfectly voluntary and cheerful SUBJ
mission. They display the same zeal in their
allegiance as the Catholics do to the Supreme
head of the Church, A good many of thu Dem
ocrats no doubt have imbibed their ideas of po-
liticsl docilty from their religious faith, for
vast majority of the members of that party in
New York are devotees of papacy. Mr.. Kelly
is the Democratic Pope. His edicts are never
disputed nor discussed; to hear is to obey. This
smplifes the business of nominating couven-
tions exceedingly. The men are all selected be.
forehand, who are to be candidates and who are
to put the candidates in nomination. There Is
never dissenting voice; the unanimity is per.
feet.
Some very singular examples of the absolute
power welded by the Tammany leader have
been exhibited in this canvass. 1t wasn't
known till the delegates met whether Mr. Hew-
lit was to be the candidate Of his party for re-
election to Congress from the 10Th District. 1t
was generally understood that he was not q IA
vorite with MI. Kelly. At the same time it
did seem like q dangerously arbitrary proceed
ing to set aside an able, intelligent, and thor
oughly upright representative, who had &C.
CURED national reputation by two terms Of
eminent public service It looked like def
anoe of public opinion, and numbers Of people
thought Mr.. Kelly would hardly venture to take
the risk of doing such q thing. But when the
convention met, the order was given to nomi-
nate Mr.. o. B. Potter, gentleman entirely un.
known to those who were thus directed to vote
for him. There were some murmurs at the
If any member had seriously taken exception
to the command assigning the post to Mr.. Pot
ter, he would have been sent to the rear as a
deserter. There have been remonstrances very
often among the rank and file, when the in
stances of dictation were dagrant, but they have
always had one issue. The remonstrants have
been summarily elected from the order. 1t is
in this way that the nti-Tammany forces have
been recruited. They ''wanted to know" and
were expelled because Of their curiosity.
1t is only after his men get into office that
they give him trouble. He has designated two
mayors since he became master of the
situation, and his cohorts have chosen them
by enormous msjorities. But neither of
them did as he wanted them to while
they occupied tbs position. Wickham
and Ely both evincea disposition to exer-
else their own judgment when they were
clothed with the functions and responsibilities
of office. Wickham was proud and ambitious.
He had no idea of being mere figure head.
He had will of his own, and soon made up
his mind that he would have things his own
way. This didn't suit the power behind the
throne, and when his two years were up search
was made fer more tractable and good-na-
tured person with whom to invest the baton of
the mayoralty. The choice fell upon Mr.. Ely,
There couldn't have been more amiable gen.
Il eman picked out if the whole population had
been ransacked to find one. But Mr. Ely had
good name to maintain, and before he had
been six months in office he discovered that he
must either break with Tammany or compro-
mise his self.respect. The issue was forced
upon him. He couldn't possibly avoid ID. OF
course under the circumstances there was moth
| ing for conscientious man, as Mr.. Ely Is, but
| to stand by his convictions and accept the con-
| sequences. The result was easy to foresee.
BE gets but one term, but he will retire with
honor at the expiration of the year. If he had
consented to surrender the police department
| to partisan control he might have been the
| standard bearer of Tammany again, but his
fellow citizens would not have thought as we'll
| of him as they do now. and as they will Con-
tinue to long after he has retired to private liie
He sacrifices his Office to preserve his man
hood.
The anti-Tammany Democtats and the Re-
publicans have agreed upon most unexcep-
tionable candidate for Mayor Edward Cooper
Is the only son of the venerable philanthropist
| Peter Cooper. He is well educated, has high
social position, possesses abundant wealth inde-
pendently of his great expectations, and is most
amiable and estimable gentleman. His finan-
cial opinions are Numerically opposite to those
held by his benevolent sire. He is thorough
advocate of hard money and resumption.
The circumstances which led to the con-
nection of Mr.. Abram s. Hewitt with the Coop
er family have tipge of romance about them.