The New York herald., 1879-12-18
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Democrats Hopeful that the Pfeseat
State Law May Be AsSailed.
REPUBLICANS SHIFTING THEIR GROUND.
Wrongs of Their Party in Maine To 30
Avenged in New York.

the republican and democratic parties on tue SUBJ
ject of the proposed change in the law relating to
the manner of choosing Presidential electors in this
State. as Published in the HERALD during the past
few days were eagerly read and commented upon
by adherents of each of the great parties. The news
OF the action of Governor Garcelon and his Council
in Maine served to fire the hearts OF republicans and
to make them give vent to their feelings in bittei
denunciation of the course pursued by democratic
State officials in Mr. Baines State The prevailing
opinion among members Of the republican party
was the effect that what good for their party
in Maine equally good for the democrats in New
York State AS prominent republican leadet
expressed it, ''The democrats have gone far ia
this matter. They have gone to work and defrauded
the republicans out of very many members OF tho
Legislature and have thus been enabled to retain
their hold on the State government. Now. this ac-
ton on the part Of Governor Garcelon and his im-
mediate advisers entirely illegal and unwar.
rantsd To be sure technical defects in some of tho
returns may have. according to strict interpreta-
ton of the law. seemed to justify their rejection.
But thousands of voters should not according to all
rules of and justice. have been practically dis
franchised because OF nero clerical error
It is a remarkable fact that large number of tho
prominent republicans with whom interviews ap-
peared in yesterdays. HERALD have very materially
changed their opinions in regard to the advisiabity
Of changing the law as has been suggested. The
purport Of the dispatches from Maine has had the
effect Of making republicans consider retaliation
the democrats in this State in the nature
OF q political necessity. They now unhesitatingly
announce their intention to support bill looking
to the repeal the present law regarding selection
Of Presidential electors from this State Colonel
George Bliss said to a HERALD reporter yesterday
that lie was strongly in favor of any measure that
would provide for making change in the law. He j.
said:-"I think the electors should be chosen by
Congressional districts, and ! should warmly sup
port any proposition looking to having them chosen
In that manner 1t is py far the more representa-
tive method. and would representation In the
college to all citizens. Then, again. can see no
reason why the republican party should not reap all
the advantage which they gained at the last election.
The democratic party in Maine have set an example
that the republicans might follow with profit to
their party this State. am at loss to see why
the republicans should not make . change IN the
law such has been contemplated. 1t would cer-
tainly be legal
Alderman John j. Morris, Solon B. Smith, Henry
L. Perley and in fact nearly all the district leaders
in city appear be Of opinion that the party
would be perfectly justified in advocating change
WHAT OTHER PERSONS THINK.
It might naturally be expected that the democratic
leaders their followers would be greatly incensed
at the rumored contemplated action of their party
opponents. Such. however. is only partially the
fact Their denunciation of tho scheme is tempered
with sort OF hope that the Legislature will attempe
to change the law. They argue with some earnest
has beer proposed would have the effect OF
more solidiy Welding together the disjointed ele-
front to those who secure any modification of the
law. This is the view taken by nearly every leader
W whom s HERALD reporter conversed M yesterday OF
course the democratic members OF the next Legsla-
ture will all oppose the alleged contemplated scheme
of the republicans. Assemblyman Gibbs will work
hard against any such measures, and 50 will ASSEM-
gate from this city to the Legislature will bitterly
oppose the new scheme. They all denouncc the re-
publicans for advocating such measure but express
of causing reaction among the people against their
candidates in 1880.
'Of course cannot tell will undertake to
prophesy what course the republicans will pursue
with reference to changing the system or nethou or
selecting Presidential electors. Nothing could be
done the way of overturning the system so many
years in vogue the plea that the pubic interests
were to be subserved, because such . change has
been discussed freely OF late would be doing vo-
ence public sentiment and could only be regarded
Is device crcumvent the people in the interests
the politicians. do not believe any serious at
tempt will be made to change the law; it would be
an unwise thing do. and the republican party
would lose vastly more than they would gain by
the Operation; II ss change n, in lat the s,n system
even formed an element of discussion. 1t might
with some show of proprety be brought before the
incoming LEGISLATURE for its action, but to force
radical change in a well matured and long perpet-
uated system affecting such sacred right as the
judgment would. i'll my opinion. seriously injuxe
any party attempting 1t. The leaders Of the republf
can party shrewd men and too discreet to allow
schemes OF this character to be attempted tho
oil Presidential election.
Assemblyman John shandley. of Kings county.
is stated to receive the compliments OF being the
be at all surprised the republicans would mako the
attempt IL they think it is necessary.
"But do you think y they will dare to do It?
anything. II they dared to steal nation do you
think they would hesitate about taking stateY'
Senator secbacher's reply wns;-"why wouldn't
they change tho method OF choosing Presidential
electors II they want to do itr They have got the
power and they ain't afraid to do anything when
they we got that but II the change is made you
be sure it won't do any harm to the democratic
party.
Senator Edward Hogan views in substance were ss
folows:-"My opinion is that IL would be foolish in
the republicans not only nsummate but even to
countensnce such a scheme. My idea is that it
would blast the republican party in this State ana
ruin its hopes or chances Of success long as it
would bear its present name. l believe that
jo or title OF the power now vested directly In tho
people should be taken T from them. The person
to as being ready at any time to change our form
OF government. and such people If they succeed will
sooner or later lead us into dcspotic form OF gov
ernment. The only system OF choosing President
aud Vice President Of the United States, II changed
a direct vote cast by the people. But having got
along so well under the present system. and there
being earthly fault to hnd with it. 1t
1t would be well enough to let well enough alone"
AN INFAMOUS OUTRAGE
Postmaster James more pronounced in
his expressions OF disapprobation OF the scheme
than II he dyed-in the-wool democrat. .'You
can say Tor me- he said that think 1t would DO
an infamous outrage on the people. The republican
party of the state OF New York. with It's magnificent
record. cannot afford to lend itself any such sort
OF trickcry. IL IL cannot win its victories ut the
polls u hail better suffer defeat than achieve
by any backstairs method All such underhanded
schemes invariably rscoil upon the Inventor.
ana believe the party would he ire
trievably ruined. and deservedly so, IL
this gross imposition were perpctrated. Better
go down with the nag flying than win a temporary
success at the expense of honor and good name.
Rest assured that no decent republican would APP
prove Of the measure IL it assumed definite shape in
the Legislature. You cannot put me down too
strongly. but at the time have not the least
| hat thc subi iecth hage eycr
serious though hit by any having voice in repub-
lican councils The agitation IN unwarrantcd aud
premature for the republican party OF the state Of
New York will never sanction such outrage"
| BRIGHT EYES AND STANDING BEAR.
Quito . large audience assembled in Association
Hail. Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue, last