Telegram-herald., 1890-02-27
A BATTLE OF GIANTS.
An Unpartisss and Comprshsnsivs View
Of New York Politics.


Of New York fslities.
The battle OF giants has alre adv be-
gun. The contest for Governor of the
State of New York Is under full head
way. The preliminary skirmishes in
Albany have revealed some curious
facts. and, although it is a little early
TO talk about a successor for Gov.
David Bennett Hill, Ii is none the less
true that great struggle for his guber-
Material shoes is well under way. Hill
will not be . candidate to succeed him.
self He has all the honors that can
come from the exalted position OF
Governor He will retire from the
lexecutive chair OF the State nearly
year before the battle for the Presi-
dency Is fought 1t is, of course, his
aim. and that of his political friends. to
keep himself in line with popular
thought and opinion until the Demo-
cratic National Convention meets. Hill
is an avowed candidate for the Presi-
dency. IL he be able to maintain the
power and prestige OF the State organiza-
tion he will go into the Democratic con-
vention with the Democratic delegates
OF the State of New York at his back.
Those persons who think that Cleveland
is not candidate for the Presidency are
not we'll informed. While no is not do
ing anything himself, perhaps, to bring
abou this nomination, his friends-and
they number some OF the most expert
wire-pullers in the State-are on guard
in eve ry county. 1t is to be a battle
royal between Hill and Cleveland, with
the chances slightly in favor of Hill at
present, because he controls consider
able patronage and is the autocrat of
the Democratic State machinery. The
leaders of Tammany Hall and of the
various Democratic factions in Brook
lyn, Albany, Buffalo and other cities
in the State are taking active sides for
or against the doughty little Governor.
1t was at one time contemplated to
run Mayor Hugh J.Grant for Governor,
TO succeed Hill but while he has made
q creditable record as chief executive of
Gotham, the leaders of Tammany Hall
are fully cognizant Of the fact that he
could not be elected Governor He is
Catholic, for one thing, and Tammany
machine man for another; and these
two facts would probably lay him out
as cold as mackerel. There are no
end of candidates, however, to succeed
Hill. The most formidable is Mayor
Alfred c. Chaplin. of Brooklyn, an able
young man, skilled in politics. He has
many qualifications to commend him,
such as being good speaker. splendid
debater, an unusually fine executive
officer. and man of very pronounced
views on ali the leading topics OF the
day. lie has presided at several State
conventions with credit TO himself: was
Speaker of the Assembly during a very
turbulent session, and he will have the
united delegations from that Democratic
stronghold, Kings County. Besides. ne
has never been beaten for any office.
He does not know what the word defeat
means. lie believes himself to be a
man Of destiny, and the very few people
who are intimate with him are aware
that he not only cherishes the idea of
being Governor. but also President
some day. ExSeoretary Whitney,
George Raines. and scores OF other
Democratic politicians are having
their little booms. But 80 far. Chaplin
is At least a mile ahead of them all.
and If the Convention were 10 be held
to- morrow. would win. hands down.
On the Republican side only one man
has so far declared himself as candi-
date for Governor. IL is Senator J.
SIoat Fsssett. OF Elmira. President pro
tempore OF the Senate. Cornelius
y. Bliss. the well-know7 merchant
of New York City; A. Z. Whitney,
the great iron man; John r. Plummer.
the dry goods merchant; Gen. McAlpine
and Gen. Cruger. are also talked Of, bus
they shake their heads and profess 70
take no interest other than that Of a
good citizen in the contest Mr. Fas-
sett Is a chunky built young man Of
about thirty eight years, with square
shoulders, clear blue eyes. firm
month. covered By brown nous
tache. and a general Eet-there ap-
pearance. that would lead one at arst 70
believe be came from the booming
West instead OF an up-the-counry
town