Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-11-09
REMARKABLE LETTER.
From Amos Cummings Orc OF Tam.
many's Zig Chiefs.
Tho National Issue a Secondary Affair
10 the New York Mayoraiy--No
Sentiment In the Metropolis IN
Election VI Mnitcrs-Purc,Y n
Question Of Dollars.

ocralic situation In New York City which
has yet appeared from any Democratic
quarter IL printed to- day over the signature
Of Hon. Amos Cumming, the we'll known
Journalists, nnd Democratic Representative
in Congicss from New Yuik. II is as fol-
fOwa;
New YORK, Nov 2.
AN eyes will I've riviied on New Iurk
City on election day, All ears will be
turned that way on election night. Here
it IL that the great battle for the Picsi-
dency in fought. The city ia the battle
field. II ia the Gettysburg of the political
war. The County Democracy holds
Round Top. Tcmmany Is in position on
Cemetery Ridge, and the Coogan nemoc-
racy holds Culps Hill, These points
must be held, or defeat Is certain. Each
lection flies the flag Of the Natio,al DEM
ocracy. Each apparently maintains firm
front against the advancing Republican
line. The real situation, however, is little
understood. The line looks firm, but IL
is perilously Thin. Very few Democrats
are fighting the common enemy. Each
faction scorns assistance from the other,
and away behind the nirenchmentR, they
are fighting each other with the ferocity
OF tigers. Both Tammany and the County
Democracy assert undying fealiy to Cleve-
land and Thurman, yet each maintains Its
clutch at the others throat. Meantime,
the shouting Republican column is mount
ing the slope, and it's leaders are within
pistol shot OF the escarpment. The whites
Of the eyes OF the men in the front ranks
are plainly visible. The danger Is immln-
ent. Through either carelessness or treach.
cry the enemy may step in on the Hank
of either faction, turn its position and
achieve victory.
"Yet there are enthusiasts who declare
that this iactional fight strengthens the
National Democratic ticket. Let us an
aiyze the situation and ascertain the facts.
There is no senlimentality in New York
city politics. Selfshness. alone il, para
mount, Every point Is pl,ced for what
il Is worth. This is a fight for the loaves
and fishes. For city politicians the next
mayor will have far more patronage than
the next President. The mayor will con-
troll the distribution OF nearly $50, 900, 900.
All this will be divided among residents
who take an interest In politics. The
mayors power OF appointment is absolute.
II IL entirely independent OF the sanction
of the Board Of Aldermen, or Of that of any
other municipal body. The next mayor
will have the appointment of twenty-three
commissioners, who will distribute the
vast municipal patronage Compared with
this the Federal patronage is mere drop
in the bucket. 1t amounts to less than
81, 100000 year; and this S4,000,000 is
not distributed among city Democrats.
Under Democratic administration Re
| puolicans now retain more than half Of
it. Rural Democrats take half Of the
remainder, and the city Democrats are
forced TO put up with what is left. 1t IS
sale TO cay that to-day not 100000 u
year in federal patronage is distributed
among city Democrats. The collector Of
the port ia Democrat from the strongest
Republican county in the State. He holds
the richest Office here within the gift Of
the President. II is filled with Republic
cans. The postmaster is Republican,
and the 800 places in his office are held
by members Of that party. The appraiser
is Mugwump, and Republicans hold the
most oil the places under him. The naval
officer is also Muewump. His Office ia
filed with Republicans, aud recent devel-
opments show that there Ia a taint Of cor
ruption about it. The only siaunch Dem
ocrats are the surveyors and United States
marshal. Their patronage is small, but
the Democratic party gets the benefit OF
1t, Worse than all this, the President's
power of appointment 10 any federal office
is limited by the consent of the Repub-
fican majority in the United States Senate
Such are the facts. They explain
themselves. ANY man can draw a deduct
ion. IL it reasonable TO suppose tina
either the County Democracy or Tamnsny
Hall will throw away sure municipal
patronage Of nearly $4,000 900 yeal
for an uncertain patronage Of 500 600
Any business man knows better. Politics
In large cities Is purely matter OF bnsi
ness, Men invest In il with n view to
return on the Investment. Sentiment ha,
nothing TO do with il. Assessments o,
impecunious candidates for county Office
are frequently raised by capitalists, wh'
take a mortgage upon the receipts Of III,
Office for n return. II the candidate J.
elected they may get so or even 200 pc
cent, from his fees for their money. /
defeated they lose the principle. The in
terest Is proporloned to the risk, and tn
whole thing 10 speculation. Whoeve
heard OF speculator governed by senii.
ment! IL costs each faction OF the Dem.
ocracy in this city at least $500. 900 n yea
10 maintain iis organization. The none!
does not come from the pockets OF il
Office holders. II comes mainly from III,
pockets OF office-seekerS. They are look.
ing for reward in the turmoil Of muni
cipal politics. The reward comes through
the distribution OF Federal patronage, ]
il is to their interest to make the Fedora
ticket subservient 10 the municipal ticket
II is reasonable to assume that il will b
done. There will be no sentiment abou
il. II will be businefs. do not say ilin
!, either Tammany Hall, the County Democ
, racy, or the Coogan Democracy, will trad
! votes for presidential electors for votes 10
r mayor. The facts are stated, and III
l reader must draw his own conclusions.
Right here make note. One of III
candidates for mayor acknowledged
, personal dislike of The Democratic can
| dida,e for the Presidency. This candi
. date for mayor was nominated bya citizen
I committee, in which Republicans pre-