New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-23
TO BROOKLYN REPUBLICANS

The issue as made up in Brooklyn on the
city ticket is at once singular and dangerous.
The important Office ut stake is'5he MayOralty F;
all the others depend upon the canvass for this
position. There are four candidates in the
fcld two OF them are Democrats who are
iITeconcilably divided; the other two are Re-
publicans who have every reason to be recon-
ciled and united for success in this contest
General Slocum is the nominee OF Demo-
cratic faction which has grown mp in OppOsi-
ton to the regular Democracy solely because
of the disrepute of the machine organization.
Its strength lies not solely in the disgust of
the better class of Democrats, but in the fact
that many Of the disappointed adherents Of
the Ring machine" are disposed to work
and vote against its 10 inec, Mayor Howell.
This official has made himself unpopular 10y
advocacy of a measure which taxes all
the minor or retail business men. He
has insisted that every grocer, butcher,
baker, mkman, etc, who maintains a
wagon or cart to distribute his sales,
shall pay tax or license. H. has, moreover
put it in the most obnoxious form; requiring
each licensed person to publish the fact that
he has been taxed to the world. The idea is
all wrong. None other than Il Government on
the verge Of bankruptcy ever levied tax upon
industry such as we allndc to aS inspired 10y
Mayor Howell Industry ought not to be taxed
except for its own protection, and in urging
and lcvying this tax Mayor Howell has made
himself unpopular. Some twenty thousand
licenses have been issued at a cost 10 each
grocer, butcher, etc, Of about six dollars; and
few of the Democrats among the assessed
IL. N. tf...s
facts the Republican managers conclude that
the vote for the Anti-Rug candidate, General
Slocum, will be very considerable, and chiefly
Democratic.
Mr. Ropes, the candidate Of the citizens
and Of the Young Republicans, is y candidate
who cannot now, under any circumstances get
the full Republican vote. His backing is
small, but what there is of it is vi oily Rcpub-
lican. He will weaken the Republican ticket in
the aamc sense that General S!orum will weaken
the Democratic Ring ticket; and in about tn"
same proportion. Consequently the two, Ropes
and Slorum, would neutra'ize each other, and
the contest would naturally resolve itself into
n campaign between Howell and Tracy. In
view of the unpopuarity of Howell we believe
that General Tracy could win but it is not
certain.
But the Republicans can certainly win if
they heal all differences. And this they can
do by simple and effective tactics. Why should
not both General Tracy and Mr. Ropes with
draw in favor of some equally good R"puDli-
can upon whom all can unite Mr. Seth Low,
a leader of the Young Republicans, was named
by ex-Aldcrman Richardson in the Convention
on Friday night. Why not Low The sug-
gcstion is an admirable one, and ought to be
carried ont. Mr.. Low il q man of the highest
worth and integrity. He is II thorough and,
as his recent course has shown, an active and
conscientious Republican. His nomination
would not only unite the party in Brooklyn,
but il would win votes from the other side,
distracted and divided ~ it is. There are
others IA good as Mr. Low who might be
named. Charles StoIrs for instance, but we
mention Mr.. Low especially, because he was
named and voted for in the Convention.
ANY good Republican can win; and. IN view
of the situation, Mr.. Ropes and General Tracy
should not hesitate Ia Withdraw and conccn-
tratc the Republican vote upon satisfactory