The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-03
The Decay OF the Republican Party
in New York City.

Justice GEORGE B. DEANE Jr., Of the Thirc
District Court whose death last week occa'
sions the fourth vacancy In our local
judicial offices during the past six
months, besides being known as a man OF
great personal popularity. enjoyed also the
distinction OF being the only remaining Re-
publican Judge elected by popular vote in
this city. There are seven Supreme Court
Justices, six Judges OF the Superior Court,
six Justices Of the Court OF Common Pleas
six Justices Of the City Court, four Judges
in the Court OF General Sessions
and eleven Justices in the Civil Dis
trict Courts, in all forty, chosen by
popular election. But of these Judge DEANE
was the solitary surviving Republican who
was chosen by the suffrages OF his party
friends and by them only, the two other Re
publican Judges being Judge SEDGwICK OF
the Superior Court and Judge CowING of tho
Court Of General Sessions. both elected by
Democratic votes after having been nomi-
mated by Democratic conventions. All OF
the other Judges chosen by the people of
New York are Democrats: and for the first
time in very many years this Is the case.
This circumstance, though not important
in itself, Is not devoid OF interest and sig
nlflcance when 1t is considered that while
the Republican party in this city has of late
years gained materially in strength and
membership In national contests, it has
cOmmensurately declined in influence and
Importance locally. To infer from the
growth of Republican strength In Presiden-
tlal years that the number Of Republicans
in New York city has increased disprOpOr-
finnltplv NUnnlI IA n pIa tnl. IN ha
trary, tho forces Of the Republican party
here are seen to get perceptibly weaker each
year On State issues the Democratic
majority, always large, is now overwhcm-
ing. On Federal questions disconnected
with the Presidency itself, the situation of
matters is shown by the fact that the cty's
present delegation In Congress is so!idy
Democratic. or seven Senators sent to Al
bany six are Democrats, and the only Re-
publican was chosen, a year ago, by the
slender majority Of 305 votes In total Of
$4,000, and with two Democrats in the field.
The Republicans have steadily lost In their
representation from New York city in the
Assembly and whereas, few years ago,
they were sufficiently numerous in tho
Board of Aldermen to have one OF their
number elected as its presiding officer, they
have now but three members in the enlarged
Board. and ono OF these was elected on a
Democratic ticket and by Democratic votes.
These changes in the field Of local politics
have been going forward almost impercepti-
bly,; but the death OF Judge DEANE recalls
to mind forclbly how little representation
the Republicans have on the bench in this
city, although very considerable propor-
ton OF the lawyers of the town who are
qualified by ability to adorn it are Republic
cans, and although in the ordinary filing of
the judicial offices partisan clams have not
always been permitted TO outweigh or inter-
fere with claims OF fitness Eotwithstand-
ing those considerations, tho normal Demo-
cratic majority has grown to be 30 great as
to I'LL, practically, every elective Office. adj
ministrative as we'll as judicial, with Dem
ocrat Not one Office OF the kind under the
city Government is now held bya Republican.
The meaning of this liz as plain as the
cause Is clear. and it ought not to be lost
upon those students of New York politics
who as an important Presidential election
approaches, become solicitous concerning
tho vote OF the critical and decisive State.
and fearful as to the way In which 1t will be
"Ast They ara naturally. DESTROYS Of