New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-30
TINE gR0OELYN SJTCITION.


The BROOKLYN situation requires plain, dis
passionate treatment and careful calculation OF
the chances of success. The rOll-call at the
meeting of the Young Republican Club FUR
nisles precise data for ascertanng the position
Of the organization. OF the G23 votes recorded
on the question of indOrsing General CatIIn'
there were 243 yeas and $50 nays. That Is
to say, two out of five members Will vote 1or
General Catln and three for General Wood
ward. This formidable minority will prevent
an active and effective canvass in favor OF the
citizens candidate although 1T may not
interfere with the manning of the polling
places since the Citizens League will furnish
achievements. But this is not all. The club
in its resolutions has denounced the methods
of. the Citizens League by which General
Woodward was nominated, and its governing
committees have arragncd the leaders of that
Increment for breach of faith. Tho three
Woodward men, therefore, besides having the
two Catlin men against them, are entering upon
the canvass with q conviction that their candl-
date was not placed in the field in an honorable
way. We are not disposed to discuss the
merits of this controversy; it Is not an oppor-
tune time to do that; but We cannot avoid
rcmarl,ing that no other Inference can be drawn
from the resolutions adopted by the club.
Now, what .are the chances Of defeating the
Mclaughlin ticket? The opposition is divided.
If the roll-call of the club be test OF the great
mass of the Republican vote, General Wood
ward will have thrre-ffths OF it; but rs the
members are much more independent IN their
views than the party organization, this proper
ton will not holi good. General Woodward
cannot reasonably be crDected 10 get the bulk
Of TIE Republican vote, but only fraction of
il. lie cannot, therefore, be elected unless
there is a Formidable Democratic revolt against
The Mclaughlin ticket. Now what Indications
are there that there is a revolt of any magni-
mda? The Young Mems Democratic Club,
with membership Of 900 has carried a ra>o-
luton in favor of the citizens ticket 10y bare
minority; ana the Citizens League i, receiving
support from some influential Democrats.
These are tie chief signs or reaction AGAINST
the Mclaughlin ticket. The spectacle of
divided opposition, whose leaders are actively
cud Ceiling one another. IS not one That tends to
promote recruiting and enlistment against the
regular party Organization. We are now striv-
ing to deal with this matter practically without
investigating the causes which have led to the
present unfortunate situation. ResarvnL until
Il moro convenient season any structures we
may have to offer upon the con iuct of the
Citizens League and the leaders of the Rcpub
ican City Convention, we cannot help feeling
that the only possibility of defeating Mr.
Whitney lies in the personal popularity OF
General Catlin in Democratic StIOngh0ds. If 4
large section of the Democratic vote can be
drawn off by each of the opposition candidates,
the one having the bulk of tho Republican vote
possibly may win in this triangular fight.
What we advise all sincere friends of reform
to do is to conduct the canvass rs good
naturally as possible, and to refrain from
ungcncrous reflections up0n the motives ana
conduct of those who in their judgment are
responsible for the present dcplorabc situation.
Above all, let them see to it that the success Of
the Republican State ticket is not imperllcd by
fractional resentment and political trading in
the municipal canvass. The division Of the
opposition forces has increased the chances of
the Mclaughlin candidate for Mayor. This
fact renders it all the more important so far as
BROOKLYN is concerned, that a Governor shall
he elected who will net act in collision with
the Democratic ring, as Governor Hill already
has DONE Let all advocates Of the cause of
reform and responsible nome rule
make the success of the Republican State ticket
certain by vigorous work and untiring vigilance
on election day. With Republican Governor
in Albany whose character is a guarantee that
good local Government will be sustained against
Legislative assault, the worst may happen-and
that, Of course, implies the triumph of Me
Laughlin-and yet all that has been gained
under Mayor Low will not BE- lost. The logic
of the Brooklyn situation is briefly this: Keep
the majority for Governor Hill down to the
lowest figures possible.