New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-27
THE STATE CAMPAIGN.
STRANGE TACTICS OF THE REPUBLICAN,
MANAGERS

MANAGERS
ONE MAss-MEETiNG ACTUALLY HELD--THE HON.
G. W. WILLIAMS ON THE EXTRAORDINARILY
MANAGERS PRONOUNCED GROSSLY INCAPABLE
IsT STILL HUNT TALK WITH SPEAKER
PATTERSON.
IFRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUSR.I
ALBANY, Oct. 25.-There was n Republican
poll meeting held. II seems at Utica last night.
The fact that such meeting actually was held Is
vouched for by Colonel Anson S. Wood, Deputy
Secretary of State by Silas B. butcher, supern-
tendent of Public Works. and by George w. Will
Jams, colored orator Of Ohio, who were
among the speakers. The Republican State
Committee have made arrangements for meetings
with such slownfss and apparent reluc-
tance that 1t is thought best 10 give the
names of the witnesses OF one meeting held under
their direction. The speakers named came from
Utica here this morning. In the afternoon Colonel
Wood was displaying the costly gories of the
Capitol to Mr.. Williams. While thus engaged Mr..
Williams visited all acquaintance in one OF the
State departments. and TO HIM laughngly related
his strange experience at the Utica meeting last
night.
THE hall was packed with people," said Mr. Will
Jams. " but they were In the most singular humor
l ever encountered on q stumping tour. They
seemed determined to be pleased with every
thing you did and sad-but showed dis
crimination. They laughed nearly ell the time;
seemed to be IN extra cheerful mood You couldn't
mention the name Of public man bat what they
would cheer. butcher was almost taken off his
feet at the beginning of his speech. lie happened
to mention Cleveland's name, when they at
began to cheer. He seemed stunned for a moment
and then said That's right. that's right. Pm
clad the name pleases you little later
he mentioned Folger's name and said:
Il. %L..1
was tremendous cheering. The fact was, a.
we discovered. oue-third of those in the hall
we're Democrats, or Republicans who had deter
mined to vote for Cleveland. 1t seemed difficult to
say any thing that would please all. Constantly
there was dcrisive applause. I never knew a cam
paign when il was SO hard to make taking speech.
1t gives the cold chils to think of last night.
The fact is, there is no management in this cam
paign. The Republican party machinery appears
to have fallen to pieces, and there apparently
one to put it together. Travelling through the
State you might think there Lo central
Republican organization. mace speeches through
out the State in 1879. The contrast between the
party management then and now Is remarkable"
What will be Folgcrs majority, in your opn-
Jon ~ asked the acquaintance,
"Foger's majority' He will have no majority.
1t will be freshet the other way"
especial attention to his statement that the
Republican party machinery appears to have
fallen to pieces" This Is a decar-
alton that is echoed by the prominent Repub-
lican politicians of this city, Indeed, it is their
leading topic when asked to give their views the
political situation. They express amazement at the
delay of the Republican State Committee in getting
TO work, aud the slight attention they have paid
even this day to the practical work of the
paign, the holding of meetings. distribution Of doc
uments, etc. Politicians who have returned from
tours through the State say that the State Commit
tee having seemingly forgotten the existence OF
the Republican voters, these latter have returned
the compliment and no longer think Of
the State Committee its concerns
They show much interest IN contests over local off
ces, these Republican voters, but they no longer
seem TO debate the merits of the State ticket.
Indiffe erence to the fate of the Republican State
ticket Is also alarmingly prevalent among them
owing to the inacion of the State Committee Ii is
a sign OF the times also that the State Committee is
accused by many Republicans of desiring the defeat
of Mr. Folger.
''The fact is" said prominent Republican poll
tican of this city today lyon canho spread John
F. Smyth over the entire State. He lid very we'll
in managing local politics here, but the State is too
large for him. When he was chairman Of the Repub-
lcan state Committee in 1877 we were diSastrously
defeated. | am afraid the same result will follow
his leadership this year. Ills special talent is
aging a convention, like that one at Saratoga. In
that sort of work he Is unrvalled But IN the kind
OF work IN which he is enRa ged he has no skill
Nor has General Sharpe the chairman OF the Exccn-
tive Committee. Neither Smyth nor Sharpe is well
acquainted with State politicians, great as Is their
reputation. AS for Edward NJ. johnson. the secrc-
tary, he doesn't know anything more than Is neees-
sarV 10 count the money which he e,eyes from as
sessed c rks of the Post Office aud Custom House"
Another lcading Republican politician here said
&" How that Republican State COMMITTEE has squan-
dered the wealth Of the party! who would have
supposed when the Legislature adjourned that we
should De i'll such position as we are in to-day
Tie committee is either conducting an awful still
hunt or they doing nothing
Speaker Patterson. who was IN town to-day, said:
" he Republicans have a better party organization
than We have. That will gam them votes
from now till election dsy, which
we shall lose month ago We
wOuld have pOed ore votes than We can today
on election day we shall pol less votes than we
could to-day. There is a large floating vote this
wear aud that will doubtless be bought up against
US. StIll, tlink Mr. Cleveland Will be elected by
q large majority"
MIR. Patterson declined denomination for the
Assembly on TIE ground of his business demanding
his attention.
DTFDnT sDs IN SJVTNES RINR