The New York herald., 1879-12-24
Republican Attitude Regarding the Choice 0I
Presidential Electors.
" RETALIATION NOT RIGHT
Democrats Confident that Change Would
Improve Their Prospects.

control the Legislature next year. Is still exciting
| good deal of discussion. The publication OF the
alleged plans Of the republicans in the matter. how
ever had it is claimed the almost immediate effect
| of squelching the movement, but the proposition
has again assumed more definite proportions ac-
count Of the action Of the democrats in Maine. In
| decd. it may be said. after q very careful can
| vass among members of the Legislature of
all shades of political opinion, that there
is widespread feeling that measure look
ing to the repeal Of the present laws relating
to the choosing of representatives in the Electoral
College from this State will be introduced in both
the Senate and Assembly. "Of course" very
prominent republican from of the interior
counties said to HERALD reporter yesterday
'there will be difficulty in passing such bill il
it is made party measure. The majority in both
houses is too Overwhelming to admit of any doubt
on this point. must really say that. in my opin-
ion. the republicans have been given quite sufficient
cause to inaugurate such movement. The Maine
democrats have acted in such equivocal Gnanner
as to leave the republicans Of this State perfect lib
ETY. Of action so long semblance OF legality Is
kept up. While gaining control perhaps, OF the
vote of Maine, the democratic managers have vir-
tually given up, without struggle tho electoral
votes of New York State''
The attitude assumed by this gentleman. who has
long occupied position in the Legislature and was
for two years recognized leader. is generally tho
one taken by most republicans. In fact. it may be
stated that in nearly every instance where there was
at first disposition to condemn the proposition
there is strong feeling in favor Of the proposed
change in the law This change in sentiment Is the
more noticeable because those altered their
opinions have long been identified with what is
known as the .machlne element OF the republican
organization. The gentlemen who boast Of their in
dependence from party leader thradom are the only
ones who seem to oppose the new measure. AS will
be seen by the following interviews the interest in
the subject is still very great
AN OUTRAGEOUS POLITICAL FRAUD.
Ex-senator James w. Gerard said lit would be
one of the most outrageous political frauds ever
perpetrated. and would recon upon any persons try
ing to carry it out"
.Why do you consider it fraud If there is con-
stitutional and legal right to make the changer"
Simply becausethe present Legislature was elected
by the people with regard to existing methods of
political action and machinery to be legislators
simply and not Presidential electors, and for
powers not contemplated when they we're voted for
would be worse than anything heretofore attempted,
done or chronicled in our dirty political annals 1t
would be piece of political fraud and robbery of
popular rights that would surprise and alarm and
tend not only to dscredit republican institutions.
but TO take away all faith in the decent and honest
administration of modern free government by any
person or party.
Senator-eect Charles Fowler, of Ulster county.
said that he had not heard any intimation OF an in
tention to change the method or choosing Presiden-
tial electors from members Of the incoming Senate,
and he had conversed with q good many. He had
''too good opinion" of the Senator's he had met
to believe that they would spring thing of this
who thought moro of the people than Of party. If
1t had been made an ssue in the last campaign It
would be different thing.
Colonel John R. Fellows said:-"I don't believe
the Legislature will attempt anything of the kind.
think as a party measure it would be advan-
tageous thing for the democratic party; for, while
they might succeed in securing q certain number of
electoral votes if they should adopt the plan of
choosing electors by Congressional districts. tho
feeling Of Indignation aroused among the people in
consequence would destroy the republican party in
this State as an organization for some time to
A mil afa1
plan is that republican who advocates 1t has rs
yet put his advocacy of it on tho grounds of right
justice necessity, but solely q retaliatory
measure because the democratic party they say has
perpetrated wrong in Maine. But whether the re-
the democratic party in Maine don't believe the
people OF New York State will submit to partisan or
unfair measures merely in retaliation for wrongs
committed In other States"
PEOPLE THEIR MIGHT"
Justice Timothy Campbell said 81 don't beliovo
the republicans will attempt 1t. although they have
the power. II they do the people will rise in their
might. The scheme savors too much OF imperial
is and that the people OF New York State will not
stand. II the plan of choosing electors is changed
1t will have the effect of making twothirds OF the
Congressional districts 60 democratic rebuke to
the attempt subvert the liberties of the people,
Commissioner Jacob Hess had not heard the
proposition canvassed among the local republican
leaders at all. and did not think the time ripe
for q change.
Ex-Assemblyman Ebert Floyd-Jones did not
think the republicans would dare attempt to carry
out scheme although ii they got in u tight place
they dare do anything.
Ex-Congressman John L. Meade sad:-"I don't
believe the republicans contemplate ything of the
sort. Their leaders have not been remarkable for
doing foolish things during the past few years. and
the time is not opportune for them to begin now.
II some such absurd thing were to be done should
expect that some other party might nane but will
not. would be its author. Further comment is un-
necessary"
DEMOCRATIC VIEWS.
Ex-Judge Nelson J. Waterbury. ex-senator John
Fox and ex-senator Hugh II. Moore, all of them
prominent democrats, arc of opinion that il the
republicans carry out their plan to alter amend
the present law the democratic party will be the
gamer in the end. The people. in the opinion of
these gentlemen, would not stand by tamey ard see
such u course pursued without showing what they
thought of those who were at the bottom of it,
Ex-Alderman Barney Biglin, the republican dis
trict leader. said to u HERALD reporter that he
thought 1t was premature to talk OF tho subject at
present. The matter not ono, any way, that
was ht subject for discussion by practical poll
tcians and he therefore preferred to say nothing
all about the proposition. Mr.. Henry c. Porley.
also prominent republican. concidcd with Mr..
Bign that it was yet early to say what would be
done by the Legislature in reference to changing tho
method of choosing Presidential electors
Senator Pierce. OF Kings. said that he had boon so
subject in all its bearings. He thought. however.
that aside from the great wrong 1t would inhct
upon the people OF the State II the scheme
contaminated the republican leaders too shrewd
TO adopt any measures which would endanger the
future hopes or existence OF their organization The
discussion was u little premature, he thought, but
Ms the republicans had the power. aud IL they did
change the method of choosing electors they
would violate no legal or constitutional right. 1t
Mt present simply question OF policy to decide
whether thcy would use their power to accomplish
that end or not.
senator-elect william d. woodin. of Auburn, tho
recognized republican leader In the Senate was
found at his rooms in the metropolitan @ Hotel IN
declared that he had been engrossed with private
matters since election that he had not been able to
give n moments thought to public affairs. The only
Senator he had had any communication with In any
way Senator Forster, and he had absolutely no
information whatever in regard to what measures
legislation contemplated.
Asscriblyman-clect Michael j. Dougherty OF the
Fifteenth district, said that he, in common with all
democrats, thought that the changing of law at this
tiine the effect OF which would be to practically dis
franchise the dominant party in this State, was a
crime he did not think the republicans would dare
to commit even IL the Presidency of the United
States was the reward. II the fraud was committed
IL would only recoil the perpetrators and utterly
ruin the republican party an organization In this
State.
DIR. GOULD'S WILL.
The will OF Dr. James Brewster Gould, at one time
n nrom inent NH of Ia1