New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-10
THE RsOOHLTN CANVASS.

The Brooklyn Republicans have virtually
challenged the local Democracy to renominate
Mayor Chaplin. Mr. Zeglers aggressive laters
ara; gning the municipal administration ior
various acts of misgovemment and fapacty
have compelled him to demand denomination
as a means of vindcating his reputation. Inc
party leaders, having supported him with 10y
alty and ELUSIVE enthusiasm in his contest Tor
the GovernorShp, are evidently reluctant 10
grant his request. They may finally yieid 70
his solicitations and nominate him Tor thru
term but they evidently dread the consequences
of taking I'D a tainted candidate whose record
in the water scandal is known to every one IN
Brooklyn. The nomination of Mayor Chapin
will involve a defensive canvass on the pdr'
of the Democracy, and will arm the Republicans
with tremendous aggressive power. IL nc DC
dropped after importuning yndlcadon, IL VIII
be a confession that the leader who for four
yeals has been exhibited as the highest type OF
progressive Democracy in the town has con-
du tel a scandalously bad a1min strat!on.
Whatever may be the decision of Mclaughlin
and Sheylin respecting the Mayoralty, the Re-
nub leans have cleared the field for a sharp,
decisive. fighting canvass. Mayor Chapln has
characterized Mr.. Zieger's indictment OF his
administration as wanton offensive ana per-
sonal attack. 1t is more than that. 1t Is an
arr.ignment OF Democratic administration. The
Indictment cannot be quashed By the rejection
Of Mayor Chapin's demands and by the nomlna-
tion of any rival aspirant for Mclaughlin
favor. The Democratic party is responsible for
the water scandal, for the St. Johnland frauds,
for the tax delinquenceS OF the elevated rail-
WAYS, for the street-pavng r0Dbenes, 1or inc
shameful mismanagement of the Street-Clean-
ing Bureau and for systematic neglect to sewer
the recently annexed wards. Every count OF
the indictment holds against the Democratic
party, which, after pretending for four years to
furnish the city with an ideal Mayor, Is now
overwhelmed by the exposure OF scandals IN
public administration and OF ineiliclency, waste
fulness and corruption in all departments. 1t
remains for the Republican party in Brooklyn
10 press that indictment, count by count with
Ont reference to the political fortunes OF the
discreditcd Mayor
Whether Mr.. Ziegler be the Republican can
didate or not, he has forced the lighting and
defined the issues Of the canvass. AS the city
is under great personal obligations to him Tor
exposing and defeating the water scandal, 50
also should the Republican party be grateful
to him for opening the canvass by his mastery
arIaignment of Mayor Chaplin and the Demo
cratic administration. The Republican can
didate for Mayor should be leader capable
of presenting the issues explained in Mr. Zieg-
lers letters and willing to pledge himself to
give the city, what it has not had under Mayor
Chaplin, clean, efficient and essentially non
partisan administration. The Brooklyn Democ-
racy is disaffected and demoralized. The Re-
pubicans have an opportunity that comes to
them once in decade. Not only can they
heavily reduce the Democratic vote for Gov
ernor ard thereby insure Mr.. FasSetts cleo
ton but they can also name tonight the next
Mayor Of BROOKLYN.