Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-19
The New York MayoraIty Contest.

legislators.
The New York Mayoralty Contest.
The quadriateral fight for mayor in
New York attracts wide attention for it
Is realized that it has such relations to the
national contest that upon it may turn the
vote of the State of New York and the
issue of the national election. For many
of our readers the contest has an especial
interest, from the fact that Col. Erhard;,
the republican nominee for mayor, was
an officer in Vermont regiment and is
personally known and respected by many
Vermonters. What is his record Joel
B. Erhardt is a native of New York city,
of good family of German origin on the
paternal side and on the maternal OF we'll
known old Connecticut stock-bi5 mother
being younger sister of the late
Hon. f. G. Benedict, chancellor of the
University of New York. president of the
New York Historical society, and prom
inent lawyer and citizen ofthe metropolis.
Young Erhardt was a student in the
University of Vermont when the war
broke out, and was among the high
spirited and patriotic boys who enlisted in
such numbers from that institution as to
almost depopulate the college buildings
and break up the course of study. He en-
listed as private in the First Vermont
cavalry went out as lieutenant /;
was promoted to captaincy, and
was one of the best officers of that
gallant regiment. He led the first
charge In which the regiment crossed
ssbres with the enemy, by which Ashby's
cavalry were driven across the bridge over
the north fork of the Shenandoah river at
Mount Jackson. in April, 1862, and the
bridge saved for the advance of
Banks's army. He distinguished him
self few months later in des-
perate charge against a body of the
enemy strongly posted at Ashby's
Gap, in which the confederate colonel
commanding was wounded and captured
and the enemy was driven with heavy loss
from the position. In this charge Err
hardt rode at the side of Colonel Preston
at the head of the column and had horse
shot under him. He was among the fore
most in every fight and skirmish in which
he took part was repeatedly mentioned
for gallantry and had he remained with
the regiment he would probably in due
time have been its commander; for he
was generally recognized as one of the
brightest, bravest and most popular Off
GERS in it's line. But he resigned and left
| the regiment, partly because of dissen-
sions among the officers, and partly be-
cause he was wanted in a more respons-
BILE position. In the early summer of 1868
a capable and resolute man was wanted
in the Office of provost marshal of New
! n w ri at har 70
head the turbulent elements which burst
into flame in the dreadful draft riots.
Erhardt was appointed assistant provost
marshal by the secretary of war
and how he, with a few other resolute
men in like responsible stations upheld
the authority of the government, and
preserved the great city of New York
from general rapine, and subdued the
greatest riot known on this continent
in which more men were killed than fell
in some of the most famous battles of the
war. is matter of history. After the close
of the war Col. Erhardt was admitted to
the bar of New York and was in the sue
cessful practice of his profession, when, at
particular juncture, he was called to the
control of the police system of the metro
polls. This Is an army in itself and, it is
not necessary to say, requires high execu
tive ability at its head. An ardent repub-
lican, Erhardt was selected for police
commissioner by democratic mayor,
Mayor Wickham, and the ability with
which he administered its duties,
amply justified the selection. He
was subsequently appointed United
States marshal of the southern district OF
New York-the most important United
States marshalship in the country-by
President Arthur, and held that office
till he retired from it after the change OF
the national administration, with an en-.
viable reputation for integrity and Ca
pacity. He was then appointed receiver
of the New York and Northern railroad
and having by able management brough,
the road out of its troubles and restored il
to its stockholders on permanent and
paying basis, he was elected president OF
the reorganized corporation. This is q
good record-so good that not even his
most bitter political opponents venture tc
deny that when the republicans of New
York placed Erhardt's name at the head
Of their ticket they made an uneXception
able nomination.
His chief opponent, Mr.. Hewitt, said
"Mr. Erhardt is an able man, and would
make an excellent mayor. If elected, ht
would be as good a mayor as | believe
have been" The New York Herald
said "Erhardt, in a word, represents al
that is good and little that is bad in tn,
republican party" The New York Time
which would say the meanest thing i
dared about him, said: Joel B. Erhard
is a good man for the republicans to nom
inate.fo mayor-as good as any other.
, The Sunisaid "An excellent nomination
it is. Mr. Erhardt would make dlgni
fed, elegant and excellent mayor-ther
: is no discount on him" And similar eS
, pressions might be quoted from the IVOrld
:, EUCntng Post and other democratic OIL
gans. 1t is rare indeed that nomine
= receives such unqualified recognitio
= from both friends and opponents.
:, But what is the use fputting up any rt
. publican, however fit for the Office, in tn
democratic. stronghold of New York