The New York herald., 1879-08-06
REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC OPINION
The Candidates for Governor and
Their Chances.
NEW YORK THE PIVOTAL STATE
Albany, Buffalo and Utica Edi-
tors on the Situation.
UTICA, August 3, 1879.

ent has conversed with some OF the prominent local
politicians OF the republican party in this section of
the State. Most of them express confidence at the
prospect before them, attrbuting the to the
dsafectlon among democrats. No one however.
has shown much knowledge of the histories of
both parties or discovered keen insight into
the workings of party machinery ex-Congressman
Ellis Ii. Roberts. His experience in Congress has
given him national character; and man OF his
party in this section, with the single exception Of
Senator Conkling. is SO we'll known outside of it.
He was very reluctant to express his views at ength
but Isucceeded in obtaining from him the following
opinions
'The republican prospect" said Mr.. Roberts,
"seems to Iae more promising than it has been since
1874 The success of resumption and the revival of
prosperity will rebound to the benefit of the organi
zation which has well managed the national
finances The extra session of Congress has alarmed
the country and more than removed any inclination
for democratic control. The operations OF the ma
1ority in both houses have again shown that the
treme men have ruled the democracy. Thinking
men dare not trust 1T. Such Senators
Bayard and Herman may do something
to slow the train. but the train goes and they go
with 1t. Their apparent moderation when they
yield only adds to the danger. Even they could not
stand against their party in behalf Of our little
army, and they both sustained the AIarshals BILL
which. in its effect. tends largely to the demoraza
ton OF all the United States courts. For that bill
was not meant to pass and the courts were on pur
pose to be stripped of deputy marshas. who are in
many States vital to the enforcement OF the revenue
laws The common sense of the country clings to
The idea that national law is required in national
elections for the protection of the ballot box.
When the democratic party refuses this civil
protection and denies the help Of the courts. it
cupes ground which recalls the frauds and violence
which have been so fragrant in its history In this
way the extra session has harmed the democracy
and consolidated the republicans while it compels
Impartial men to conclude that the nation must yet
be ruled by the party which organized its resources
against the rebellion. Such national considerations
Will so far to control i'll the coming canvass.
GoNERNoR RoBINsoN's ADMINISTRATIONS
Governor Robinson's friends, therefore," con-
Gnued Mr.. Roberts, "adopt wise strategy in wishing
toput State affairs into the foreground Tney overrate
their strength i'll this regard. Governor Robinson
has done better than his party, but doing so has
offended many persons who are q real power at the
polls. He is narrow and petuant while he has been
diiigent and painstaking. While he has watched
expenditure OF public moneys he has used MS place
to advance Tildens ambitious. The removal OF
Warden Wells from Auburn has destroyed confidence
IN the management OF tho prisons. On the canals
superintendent Clark employs only partisans and
rs a rule the worst OF them. Thus. while expenses
have been reduced, party sway is absol ute and un-
relentinE Governor Robinson may not be personally
responsible tor some OF these things, but tho faction
which Robinson Is the head or the Instrument ia
responsible. 1t insists Implicit obedience and
employs every State enginery maintain it's power
1t gets strength i'll this way but it is that of shell
which once pierced is shown to be empty. Robin
son has pointed TO the path by wnicn he might
have carried his administration to success. He has
travelled only short way III it. lie has rather
hlshed the standard by which his failure may be
measured He could have made himself irresistible
III the coming canvass. He has divided his party
anu rendered himself the servant rather tnan the
chief OF u action: Thus Governor Robinson has
In State politics fallen into republican hands, the
managers OF the extra session of Congress have in
national politics compelled the patriotism intel
hgence and common sense Of the nation to trust
once more wholly to the republican party.
REPUBLICAN LAUNDERING.
This view OF only one side presents democratic
biunders enough to decide the political situation Tor
years to come; but, unfortunately the uunders are
not all side. Republicans have failed in State
politics to occupy the vantage ground which was so
easy Tor them to taRe. The Legislature finally APP
poruoned the districts required by the constitu-
ton-an honorable number in both houses tried
naru 10 hit the session to the demand of the people,
but TOO many signs prevail OF trading legislation tor
political power. Managing members showed moro
anxiety for an alliance with Tilden Iammany than
tor nerlthg the approval OF Intelligent constitu-
ents. Republican senators divided with Governor
Robinson the Quinn attaching to the Insurance De-
partment.
''Ihe majority did not enforce the retrencnment
which was called tor. 1t did not deal vigorously
with problems or assessment aud taxation. 1t did
not 20 us lar the railroads and life COM
panies expected and the wiser OF them even desired
Ia that direction Perhaps the relations State
to great corporations will continue to be subject
Tor discussIon, but concealnent delay are more
dangerous than publicity and honest efforts to reach
an adjustment. The opinion exists that the great
est corporations are managed to enrich a few and
not Tor the beneht OF all concerned This
true the grounds for it must be taken
away. disposition to correct the abuses
which are inevitable in vast affairs is the best safe
guard against the passion and violence which arc
constantly rumbling beneath aud sometimes
threaten TO break out ON the surface The Legisa-
ture might have served the party and the STATE by
dealing with these matters with enlightened cour-
nge, particularly rs Governor Robinson has been so
ready servant of the great corporations. He oven
vetoed the commission designated to cons der as
fessnent ana taxation The Hepburn committee
appointed by the Assembly is giving evidence of u
need OF such discussion aud the
OF list winter proved itself unable to provide. On
State issues. then. the republican party is not as
strong as 1t ought to be, but 1t occupies a much
stronger position than its opponent. and within it
the ideas and plans aud the sagacity
to which this Commonwealth must look tor good
government"
INFLUENCE or THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIONS.
"iou have been talking about State affairs What
has the national administration done to affect the
situation in this stater
The party has gained by the courage and persist
encc OF the President, anu by the higher prev
alcnt in national administration. 1t has gained
tooi by the effort to divorce patronage from politics.
Ihy.popuar tide is now clearly toward the republi-
can party instead OF away from it, IL during
a Few years previous TO 1876. Within the party
there is some rostveness because the examina-
tons for the civil service are not applied
to incumbcnts as well AS to candidates.
Those who receive their appointments from inhu-
ences which have bitterly assaied the President
tam their places, without the same test applied to
others. The Presidents friends feel that his
mes reap undue advantages. Gradually the In
efficient may be weeed OUT but the process is Slow
and Ia the meantime the process favors those who
have brought disgrace the civil service and on
the party. But no republicans are now leaving tho
prgani@ations. The party has advanced so much
That II s drawing in the thoughtful. patriotic cti
zehs who are disgusted with the folly and stupidity
OF the extra session OF Congress. without tho
saving grace and spirit OF the administration even
the blunders of the democracy would hardly
check the tidal wave which cost the repub
lcans both houses OF Congress and nearly
TOOK from them the Presidency The repub-
lcan party has life and hope, because of tho
inss aud the abors OF thoeo who try To redeem the
last years OF Grants second term, and of those who
have sustained President iayes."
REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS.
You appear to have confidence in the vitality of
the republican party But do you have any abiding
faith that New York will elect a republican Go "
ernur and Legislature next Novcmber2'
"The republicans eau succeed II those who man
age tho want to win. The plain people