New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-19
AMONG LOCAL POLITICIANS.

Democratic onlce-h holder In this city, who he's
been In various positions for the last eighteen years,
who Asscmblyman from the metropolis before
that time, and who intends 10 vote for Mr. Hewitt
for Mayor asked yesterday morning II the Republ-
cans intended 10 vote for their nominee, Mr. Erhardt
81 don't mean the regular Republicans he added
quickly "The Joint nomination Of Erbardt and
Henry c. Perley Is ample assurance to us Democrats
that the Republican machine, the Police Headquarters
and tho Bureau Elections will be all straight
But how about the brOwnstone dstrlctl7 told him
that thought the indications very strong that
the Republicans OF the brownsone districts, were
disposed to support the ticket whole. That IA
YOUR chief problem he responded II the rich Ro-
publcans who supported Hewitt the last time vote
for Erhardt this year you can certainly elect him. and
believe, your whole county Tickets
"And hope you WILL he suddenly added, and I
then began 20 wonder II my Democratic friend
out OF Office under Mr. Hewitt but found he
not so I asked him why he desired Republican sue
cess. "Thcre a great many reasons hc said
Mr. Hewitt believe to be honest as man. and one
who means to be honest a politician, but can's
be- as Democratic politics are now run in this city.
He may be good business man in HIS own business but
has not proved OF practical value Mayor OF this CITY,
lie has no administrative ability. His efforts To
economizc in city expenditures have failed because OF
his impractical methods OF doing its business. He
may be privately saint, but he IS an awful hypocris
Is, like the same air Of Cleveland, only means TO
regain political power. lie couldn't keep out Of
politics II he kept out OF Office, and IL de-
feated he Will be quite offcious as ever Tiers
has been no practical improvement in the conduct OK
city affairs under him, and he has been quite as ex-
pensive, considering tho doubtful benefits OF his AL
mnistraion, most OF his recent predecessors Bus
those applicable to the Mayoralty Itself
There Is q grayer reason applicable to the party In
this city. Defeat under the existing circumstances
Will obliterae both Tammany Hall and the County
Democracy, and compel union upon higher grounds
than actuate either Of our much mismansgcd
factions.D
Let those who have memories long enousl recall tho
Dowd contest of 1880 and he Gibbs Grant
fight Of 1884 and they wi have reason conclude hat
the present situation Is most encouraging Grace
was not a popular candidate Of the Democrats In
$780, and he forced upon Tammany but he was
far more popular than Mr. Hewitt Is in his party,
and Tammany has positively rejected him. Mr..
Hewitt may have the support of some "brownstons
Republicans but that is the only advantage ne mas
to-day over Grace in 1880 william Dowd had the
full confidence OF the brownstone district, but II was
suspected that the machinery Of the Republican party
not run absolutely in good faith for him Nr.
EIhardt has the machine absolutely he will certainly
attract many OF the brownstone men, who were
for Hewitt in 1885, Mr Grace beat Dowd in single
handed race by only 3,O45 votes, Mr.. Dowd getting
fight with three Democratic candidates against him
TO divide the Democratic vote. Mr. Erhad VIII be
TO win II the brOwnstonc districts are true to him.
Take the oher case. Nobody of either party sup
posed that Mr.. Gibbs set up as the Republican
candidate in good faith. The machine laughed at rs
being considered seriously. The "brownstone' Re
publicans simply treated II with silent contempt and
didn't vote at al, divided between the two Demo-
cratic candidates Grace and Grant Grace had not
nv
Grant was untrcd but popular In his faction. Sow,
to-day Erhardt IS accepted by everybody nominated
In good faith MIR. Hewitt before suggested, must
expect to lose Tammany support and at least part OK
the br0wnsone" vote Mr.. Grant can hope only for
tho Tammany vote and both he and Hewitt VIII
lose many Democratic votes by reason of Coogans
nomination. Grace had plurality of 1927 over
Grant and Gibbs, although the latter ran about 1900
behind his ticket and Grant only about 1000 ahead
Of his This really looks If the problem this year
was to be found in the disposition OF the Drownstone
voters.
Charles A. Brooke, the lawyer, always Democrat,
was comparing the varied qualifications OF the three
prominent candidates for Mayor. He said: MI
Hewitt has made honest and efficient Mayor.
Mr. Grant has administered the Sheriff's office more
satisfactorily than any Of his predecessors within my
recollection; il has been conducted on business prin-
ciples throughout something unusual In the sherins
office But to my mind, Mr. Erhardt Is superior to
vote for him, but can't He did more than all
the other Police Commissioners combined to Increase
the efficiency of the poce.' l recall personally that
Mr. Erhardt, when Police Commissioner, was SO per-
sisent his efforts 10 discipline the police as II they
we're troops that some Of his associates came to
consider him something of a martinez But his
efforts raised the standard Of the force, and he
was justified In the eyes of his associates. Ills adj
mnisraton o. the United States Marshalship under
President Arthur is spoken of yet by lawyers as ex
ceedlngly able and satisfactory, and wholly free from
scandal And 6nanciers will tell you that his Work
as receiver of the New-York and Northern Railroad
in rescuIng that property from financial difficulties
was most admirable. At any rate the stockholders
thou-ht so for when Mr.. Erhardts receivcrship
closed they elected him president without opposition.
such a man ought TO command the support Of the
brownstone voters"
"And Mr. Erhardtn said George W. Lyon,
Assistant Disuict-Attorncy and Assemblyman, VIII
get the of the class of Gentlemen you speak or
There is no reason whatever why he should not. He
has associated socially for many years with that class
if II is a class In the political sense sent out two
pledges In the Union League Club last evening" the
sgners to which pledged themselves to vote for Joel
Erhardt. Two hundred signatures came back this
morning from the canvasseIs with the report that they
had been submitted TO 204 persons. OF the four
not signing one said have already signed for Mayor
Hewitt, and feel have gone oil halfcocked' Two
others sa they signed any such documents, but
would vote ErhaIdt and the other gave "A reason
that he was not voter in this city,"
The suggestion in interview published yesterday
with Mayor Hewitt that he might be will ng sp
point Mr.. Erharit and Mr.. COogan Commissioners IA
he should be elected, was received derlsiyely as
confession OF weakness.
Mr.. MacIean's opposition, Police Commissioner,
to display at election polling places Of the pacari
OF the Republicans recalls the fact that he
active agent Of samuel J. Tilden In 1876, when the
most corrupt political campaign of the generation
carried
yesterday this letter 10 Mr.. Erharit from .
genial Irshman, a good actor, but Democrat:
" baltimore, Md. Oct. I3les8.-My Dear Eiharit:
congratulate you your nomination for Mayor OF New
YORK.. y on have my wishes Tor your success.
and | only regret am not at home to aid In your