New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-08
WHY NOT DTSBANDs

WHY NOT DTSBANDf
It is now said upon what seems to be pretty
good authority that there will be no contest
for seats In the next Democratic State Con-
yention by the rival factions in this city, but
that all differences will be tremendously ar
ranged before the meeting of the Convention
upon the basis of a fair division between
Tammany and Irving Halls and the County
Democracy. 1t is understood that there Will
be no farce of primary elections for choice OF
delegates that the County Democracy, which
came into existence less than three years ago
upon the wave of great popular uprising
against g" Boss rulen and in favor of honest
primaries, has abandoned that idea and will
make no effort to elect delegates by that
method that the State Committee. to whom
was committed by the last Convention the
duty of providing tor an election OF delegates
in which every Democratic voter should have
a voice, has practically abdcated its functions
in that regard and signifed its intention to
forbear all interference and that the old plan
will be pursued of selecting delegates by the
" Bosses" of the various organizations. This
lovely condition of harmony is reported TO
have been brought about by the combined eff
forts of Governor Cleveland, Mayor Edison,
John Kelly, Samuel J. Tilden and other lead
ers and Bosses" of the various factions.
This being the case, may we be permitted to
inquire what advantage there Is In having
three or more separate Democratic Organiza-
tons in this cityf And particularly what is
the reason for being of the County Democ-
racyf 1t seems necessary upon tho eve OF
every election or whenever the scent OF spoils
ia in the air to recall to the memories OF the
patriots and statesmen who run this organiza-
ton the circumstances under which it came
INTO existence and the causes which led up to
it. 1t was soon after the Presidential election
in November 1880, that number OF what
are called the "better class " of Democrats
men like Mayor Edison, John Z. Develin,
Abram S. Hewitt, Edward Cooper, William c.
Whitney, Peter b. Olney and others
took the initial steps toward organ
izing an opposition to Tammany Hall
which should effectually reform the
politics of the city. make an end of Tam
many Hall as a political force, exterminate
" Boss rule" purge the party of its dishonest
and unfit leaders, and thoroughly purify the
entire body. The chief incentive to this action
was the general belief that Boss " Kelly and
Tammany Hall, from motions of revenge, had
played false to the party and its candidates In
the late election and virtually defeated
Hancock. The movers in the new enterprise
openly said so and unhesitatingly avowed
their object and their sole immediate object to
be to put down John Kelly and destroy the
political influence Of Tammany Hall
At the meeting in Cooper Institute in De-
cember, 1880, at which Mr.. Franklin Edison.
now Mayor, presided, Mr.. Abram s. Hewitt
struck the keynote, when after vigorous
arraigDment of Tammany Hall for its corrup.
ton and tyranny, ne said "Tammany Hall
" is therefore thing of the past. 1t has done
Its good and it has done its evil work, and in
finally defeating the Democratic party it has
destroyed itself, aDd can no longer be
" recognized except as warning against
"inethod of organization which is ut war with
Z" the representative principle OF the Govern
"mentp Mr. John L. Deven expressed horror
and indignation at the manner in which the
peoples offices had been divided before their
very eyes as the spoils Of faction som eother
speakers addressed. the meeting in similar
vein. The great purpose OF that meeting
that popular uprising" as its promoters were
fond of calling twas to organize a move
ment to put down Tammany Hall and its
mcfnC0S anu 10 cstiDiisii a. syo'ch vi ~
elections which should give every Democratic
elector in the city voice in the choice OF
delegates and in the management OF the party.
And we have no doubt-thOugh we confess 1t
does look little queer-that the gentlemen
named, Mayor Edison, Mr.. Hewitt, Mr.. Develin
and the rest, were at the time quite sincere
and actually believed that they meant to ex-
tinguish Tammany and set on foot a great
reform. 1t was not the first high sounding
declaration OF war to be followed by abject
surrender.
The painful fact Is that these gentlemen
have never had the pluck and stamina to fight
John Kelly and Tammany with even soft
gloves. In the phrase of the showmen, they
have been "hippodroming it" ever since they
launched their manifesto. And now they pro-
pose, if the reports in circulation be true, to
give up even attempting the farce of holding
primaries for the election of delegates. That
was the thing they laid most stress on at the
outset. The people were to rule and the
Bosses were to go. The Tammany method
was to be put down. In the words of Mr.
Hewitt, Tammany Hall was ga thing of the
past" AS a matter of fact it is thing-and
about the only thing, SO far as as the Demo |
cratic uarty is concerned-of the present. The |