The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-25

As the Republican voters Of this city are
fewer In number than the Democrats, it is
their custom In political contests to make up
the deficiency by vigorous and often pictur-
esque combats respecting the question OF
their candidate for the office of Mayor. This
year, Just as heretofore. much excitement
has been developed among them upon this
question. although during the present gen
GRAFTON but one Republican, Mr.. GEORGE
OPDYKE, has been elected Mayor Of this
town, and that happened nearly twenty
nine years ago.
1t will not be pretended. even by a Reform
Club statesman, whose monopoly OF political
ignorance and righteousness is so extensive
as almost to prohibit rivalry In this regard,
that the conditions OF 1890 resemble those OF
1861. The Rugurios are now as little favor
able to the election Of Republican Mayor
as at any previous time; and whatever
the Democrats may do. it is a safe assertion
that a straight-out Republican candidate
would have no better chance of success than
IN Esquimaux girl in a beauty contest
Nevertheless an active contest Is In prog
ress for tho control OF the Republican Or
ganzation in this city. There are two
opinions. one for q straight-out Republican
nomination, the other for an alliance with
any one or every one to defeat the DOM
inant Democratic organization II possible.
On the side OF the straight-outs are twelve
Of the twenty-four districts. the least pop
ulous, the least important, and tho least
representative Of Republican voters. but, at
the same time, OF largest individual wealth
and the smallest party following. On the
aide OF those favoring a coalition OF some
sort are about Is per cent. OF the Republican
voters Of the city.
So far as the decision OF the Republicans
Ii concerned. their own leaders are the best
Judges; but the Democrats also have q
lively interest in the matter.
1t Is usually taken for granted that II the
Republicans make straight-out municipal
nominations, the dominant Democratic fac
ton in New York will put up a straight
ticket Of Its own; and those voters who are
dissatisfied with either or with both will also
have ticket Of their own. This would ap-
parently solve the whole question OF the
Canvass and leave the people with scarcely
any necessity for going to the polls This
view OF the matter however, is not based on
sound reason. because 1t does not take into
account conditions of which those who ad-
vocate 1t are apparently not aware.
In the first place. while 1t may DO very
easy fol the Republicans to put up a
straight-out municipal ticket, 1t will be found
extremely difficult to get all Republicans to
throw away their votes by supporting it, In
the municipal contest Of 1884 there were
$4,000 Republicans who failed to support
their straight-out Mayoralty candidate /;
In 1885, on q much smaller vote $4,000
failed to support him: and in 1883 the dis
pregnancy reached $4,000 Obviously con-
siderable number OF Republicans do not vote
for their party candidates in municipal con-
tests; and the disconnected vote in such a
year as the present would probably he fully
one-half OF the total.
In the second place, the operation of the
new electoral law will, for the first year at
least, place premium upon odd and eccen-
trio voting, and 1t will cause some losses to
tho regular organizations, Republican and
Democratic. Although their hopes OF sue
cess are certain to prove delusive, various
independent organizations will DO encour'
aged to go into this years battle; and this
will augment the floating and unattached
vote should tho dominant Democrats and
the Republicans each put up straiEht-out