New-York tribune., 1882-09-28
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE CITY.

Now that the State tickets are before the
voters it is time for the Republicans OF this
city to beStir themselves in regard to the local
Offices The coming election will be one OF un-
usual importance TO every New orKer. "A
Mavor, a Sheriff, County Clerk, two Superior
Court Judges, three COroners, full Board OF
Aldermen and twenty four AsSemblymen are
10 be chosen Moreover, the present is the
CONGRESSIONAL wear, and this sadly mSrepre-
sented community will again be called on to
decide whether its voice shall have that weight
II the House of Representatives to which
New York is entitled by her population and
wealth, her great manufacturing interests and
her extensive commerce. or whether her del
egation at Washington shall contain the
names of men like Benjamin Wood, Philip II.
Dugro and John Hardy, who have never shown
the least qualification for the positions which
they hold. With this list of Offices to fill there
is no danger of overTating che importance Of
the election The time before the 9TH of
November is none too long for sitting the claims
of the candidates and for organized effort to
secure the success of the best men.
1t must be admitted at the start that the out
look is anything but encouraging. There is
nothing to be gained by blinking unpleasant
task before them, and they are not setting
about it in good spirits. The Saratoga Con
vention with its disclosures of trlckery ana
forgery has left a bad taste in many mouths
The Democrats have come back from Syracuse
in more cheerful and confident mood than
have the Republicans. They have patched uD
a truce between their factions, and it Is likely
enough to serve tor the city as well as the
State campaign. With a united Democratic
voto at home Republican prospects for the
local ticket cannot be considered bright. If
the Democrats do not fall to lighting over the dl-
vision of the places on their ticket or If they are
not tempted 10y Over-conidence to the selection
OF such contemplate candidates that the re-
spectacle fragment of their party will refuse It's
support, Republicans can hardly expect to
elect their men, But the possibilities III the
way of Democratic blundering are always
boundless. Tammany will be apt to wax fat
and kick after getting into the fold from which
it. has been excluded for two years, and Is
certain to demand more than its share. The
County Democracy, after its recognition for two
years by the party throughout the State as the
only regular organization in the metropolis, will
be slow to yield to the extravagant demands
of Tammany. There may be split over the
Mayoralty, each faction insisting on its light
to name the candidate for that great Office, or
the baser elements, always the stronger in the
Democracy when there is any chance of success,
NAV, in their elatlon over the anticipated
victory, become so impOrtunate that the candi-
dates for more than one of the chief Offices may
be taken from their ranks In either case the
Republicans should elect their ticket
But they cannot look for success in any
event unless they put up men who deserve to
win, and unless they try to enlist the enthu-
sastic assistance of the substantial class that
knows its own mind. Such tactics as were
made use of at Saratoga will he out of place
here. Some of the most hardened and In
vetcrate manipulatOrs Of the local machine are
said to be looking for places Oh the ticket.
They must be fond of empty hOnCrs, for
nothing is surer than that ticket weighted with
their names will go down to deserved defeat.
The party in the city is now i'll an apathetc,
indifferent condition, and it will take good
names and "A lighting chance of success to
arOnse it. 1t will not show it's full strength
until it is reorganzed. Never was the need 0l
reorganization shown more clearly than in the
recent primaries which sent the delegates to
Saratoga. The tickets were made up in
advance by the ward leaders. The Republican
vote in this city two years ago 81, $50.
1t is the simple truth to say that not more than
fifty men had anything to do with the actual
choice of the delegates who went TO oaTatoga
with pretence of representing this great body
of voters. few thousand members OF AS
sembly District Associations went through the
form of elccting these delegates, but il was only
FORM They were blndly accepting the
choice of the ward captains. This state OF
things is scandalous, and it grows worse every
year.
The State Convention in 1881 was urged to
set on foot Il reform. 1t Jailed to do so for two