New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-18
THE REpUBLTCAN OPPORTUNITY.


The feeling grows stronger daily among
well-informed politicians that the Republicans
have an excellent chance of electing their local
ticket this year. At FIRST it was thought that
| there would be large Republican detection
| to Mayor Hewitt, and that this Republican
vote in addition to the support of the County
Democracy, would insure his reelection. But
since the whole County Democracy ticket was
put in the field, the evidences of weakness in
that organization have constantly increased.
When it lost Henry ID. PuToy, Andrew j..
White Edward Kearney and others, it lost its
ablest organizers in the various Assembly dis
tricts. In almost all parts Of the city its ma
chinery is in clumsy, awkward and even shat
tered condition The vote Of the County De
mocracy this year, it is now certain, will fall
far below that cast in many previous years.
Then too, as the time draws nearer Election
Day, it becomes still more clear that the hos
tlity to Mr.. Hewitt among voters Of German
and Irish birth or descent is serious factor
to be reckoned with. The Irish voters have
not forgiven him for his action concerning the
flags on the City Hall, and for his written
statement soon afterward that the Irish more
the metropolis contributed to fill its reformatory
and charitable institutions. The Germans do
not relish his attitude toward naturallzed citi-
zens, and his argument that foreigner should
be here twenty-one years before he is admitted
to the privilege of voting. The most influ-
entail German paper is strongly against him.
The organs of Irish opinion are severely OPP
posed to him. Apparently, Mr.. Hewitt's
strength is likely to diminish steadily
When Tammany Hall put Mr.. Grant in nom
nation it was with high hopes and even with
confidence. The Irish and German opposition
to Mr.. Hewitt was counted upon as an element
of the greatest Importance in Mr. Grants favor.
But it is evident to the careful observer of local
politics that the nomination Of James j. Coogan
by the Labor party has put in Mr.. Grants way
q stumbling block of imposing dimensions.
The Coogan vote will be drawn largely from
Tammany Hall, although it may gain some
thousands from the County Democracy. Mr.
Grant, although he has an excellent character
and has made an efficient and praiseworthy
Sheriff. does not possess those qualities which
might draw to his support any large number OF
votes outside cf his regular faction organiza-
ton. Hence, as the outlook now is, Tammanys
hopes VIII grow DINNER and duller as we 60
on toward November 6.
On the other hand, the reasons are multiply
ing why Republicans may look forward to a
victory for their local ticket. Mr.. Erhardt,
Mr.. Jacobus, Mr.. Perey and Mr.. Van Rens-
selaer are all clean, wholesome, respected citi-
zens. Three Of them are war veterans, whose
record Of honorable and meritoriOus service
will commend them to the sympathies and the
support Of all who believe in gratitude TO the
men who saved the Union. But if all the can
ddates were not citizens OF worth and OF
merit tn record as veterans might not be Of
great assistance to them. But the four pos
sess the esteem Of all who know them, and
they are widely known from the Battery to
Yonkers. Each Of them has an immense num-
Der Of personal acquaintance and an excep-
tonally large number Of earnest and attached
friends Mr.. Erhardt has shown both in pub
lie office and in private position that he is
eminently qualified for such duties as the
Mayoralty imposes. Mr.. Jacobus is stronger
in the business community than any candidate
who has run for Sheriff for many years Mr..
Perley and Mr.. Van Rensselaer, deserve the
ballots of even the most critical and exacting
voters
II is ticket TO win with, and ticket worth
winning with. II the Republicans will stand
by their colors and every man Of them stick TO
the party the whole ticket can be elected, and