The sun., 1890-10-01
The Parsons and the Politicians.

The political parsons are getting initiated
into some of the mysteries Of their new craft
by taking part in the dealing and scheming
Of the Municipal League, OF which they are
so conspicuous factor. They are finding
that even reiormers are up to the tricks OF
politics. and that this pioYs League is play
ing sharp game
1t is the old Mugwump trick over again.
The reform schemers are at work to coptrol
the nominations by pretending to great
popular strength for which the opposition
to Tammany must bid high. They want to
force the Republicans and the County Democ-
racy to agree on nominations agreeable to
them, and to frighten them off from candi-
dates with whom they are not satisfied.
They want a milk-and-water ticket which
each part of the combination can take with
out active rebellion and then the little ring
inside the League expect to control the off,
GERS il they are elected.
They know well enough that no man Of
force and independence would take such
a nomination for Mayor. He would be
bound hand and foot by the Mugwump
crowd, and II he had further political ambi-
tions they would be vain, for it ia impos-
sible to satisfy the Mugwumps and the peo-
pie at the same time. He would go down
to political ruin. Therefore the sharp Re-
publican managers are willing that a Demo-
crat should make the venture. They know
that he will be beaten out OF his boots
and therefore they prefer that he should be
a Democrat. They can afford to put on a
show of magnanimity and to encourage the
League TO pick out Mugwump Democrat
for the sure and bitter punishment. The
Republicans who are favorinR q straight
ticket are pursuing more honorable and a
more sincere course. They expect to be
beaten, but they would make square fight
and preserve their party discipline. The
cunning Republican allies OF the League are
working in the spirit OF partisanship, though
on a different line. They hope TO compen-
safe for defeat by bringing confusion TO the
Democratic contingent and stirring up re-
volt in the Democratic ranks generally.
That is their game. The clerical parsons
and few callow Mugwumps really take the
whole business seriously, and look for
grand popular uprising In behalf OF their
ticket. but the hard-headed and experienced
IIeutenants OF Ton PLATT are Of sounder
judgment. They have no doubt OF the cleo
"
Why should the Republicans spend their
money and energy TO put Democrat In
the CITY Hall, and why arc they 30 ready 10
acquiescs IN the nomination OF Il Democrat
rather than Republican They are not
angels. They arc sharp and shrewd pOliti.
clans. They hat rather have Democrat
beaten and buried than Republican
Even the clerical politicians must bs
getting some inkliRg VI this game. though.
after the manner Of green players. they eK.
pect 10 suchr9 their crafty associates
Democrats generally understand II better,
and hence II Ii hard for tho League " In.
duce any man " saRaclty RHd prominence
~ tRk1 their nomination, Such mrn know
very well that the Ha'asODsd pDlitclanB ana
not the Rul1lasB paIBODB AMI the chIldllks
NuRWumpB have tho business IN charge. and
Ars runDinR II Tor all II IL worth tD them.
selves, directly and indirectly.
When tho Olectl0R \ over the bEul6ed and