New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-11
POSSIBILITIES IN THE CITY.

Republican prospects In New DIX lhlS SCdi (,
| in case of the selection Of a really worthy and
strong candidate who can command the entlfc
vote of the party, are not so poor that any ono
should he deferred from accepting nomination.
In the Presidential election 133, 157 votes were
cast for Cleveland, 9O,O93 for Blaine, 3,499 for
Butler and 1881 for st. John. 1t is possible
that the vote this year may fall 10 per cent
below the vote for President, and in that case
the problem would he to determine what dis
position will be made Of about 10000 Demo
cratic votes, about 1000 Of the votes that
were cast for Mr.. Blaine, about 800 votes
cast for Butler and 900 Prohibition votes
If the vote should he larger it may fairly bc
assumed that the different elements would be
proportionatcly increased, but an aggregate
Of about 2O5.OOO may fairly be taken as a
basis of comparison. II Is commonly cstl-
mated that Mr.. George may receive over 10000
votes let us say the 300 votes for Butler
and $4,000 Cleveland votes, with possibility
that few Republican votes will also be added
to his strength. This would leave only 10000
Of the votes for Cleveland, to be concentrated
on one candidate or divided.
The anxiety of Democratic leaders for a
union is not strange. Before them are the
unite the Administration will recognize their
merit if not, not. BY union, they arc apt to
conclude, a Democratic Mayor can be elected J
10y division, defeat would be insured. But
politicians are exceedingly apt to misunderstood
the temper Of the people when new and I'M
expected force divides the popular vote. An
attempt to unite the democratic factions neces-
sarily involves bargaining and sacrifice of in
terests Influential leaders on one side or the
other must Of necessity feel, no matter what
candidate is nominated, that their interests
are TO be sacrificed. No candidate can be named
who will satisfy all, or nearly all. Behind these
leaders are bodies of voters, many of whom
are intensely disguised with the bargaining
and trcachery they have so often witnessed.
The Independent movement which Mr.. George
represents invites the support Of all who arc
dissatisfied of either faction.
Let 1t he supposed that the Democrats unite.
The candidate must he either in harmony with
the County Democracy or with the Iammany
force. In either case a strong body of leaders
must be aware that his success will mean cold
victuals for them, or no victuals at all. In
either case the bargaining must disgust large
numbers Of Democrats, including reputable
citizens and substantial taxpayers, of the sue
cessful as well as of the unsuccessful faction.
Between these two influences a considerable
vote is certain to be diverted, either to George
as a protest against the jobbery, of factions, or
to n substantial Republican candidate in the
hope of securing such reform as the election Of
Mayor Low brought to Brooklyn. 1t is entirely
possible that the number Of dissatisfied voters
in that event, would be more than 10000 and
that would be enough to leave a strong Re-
publican candidate a plurality.
On the other hand, if the Democratic forces
are divided, it may be expected that much
larger number Of Democratic votes will be cast
for the two candidates, and the strength of
George will not be swelled by diversion of dis
satisfied and disguised Democrats, nor will
the strength of the Republican candidate be
increased in the same way. But the Democratic
votes will be cast in unequal measure for two
candidates, and it is not probable that either
would receive less than 10000 votes. In that
case Republican success would again be prob
able.
But it all depends upon the nomination of
a Republican candidate who shall represent
for taxpayers and substantial citizens, genuine
reform and honest administration, and for the
working people of this great city protection
for all their interests by just local government
and by wise defence Of their industry. If
the Republicans find such candidate, his
chances of success will probably be thought
far better when the election draws near than
they NAV now seem 10 tho excited workers of
the different factions.