The evening world., 1891-11-27
FAMILIES IN CITY POLITICS.
Analysis Of the Reasons for As
semblyman Blumenthal's Defeat.
Curious Phases of Politics In the
Twcnty-sccond District.

| The greatest local surprise OF the recent
election was the defeat Of Asscm0lyman
Joseph Blumenthal, Tammany's candidate
| Tor reelection In the Twenty-second district
of this city, and the success OF william j.
ODair, an Independent, who the Republicans
hope may hold the balance OF power In tho
next Assembly.
Blumenthal was elected last year by ma
Jority OF nearly 5000, and his defeat this
| year seemed impossible.
| The reasons for this overturn form an In
| teresting study OF municipal politics, and eX-
plain why Richard Croker has determined TO
have new leader Of the Tammany forces In
| the district In place OF eH-Police Justice John
McQuade.
| McQuade held undisputed sway as the
Tammany chieftain OF the Twenty-second
District from 1865 to 1880, when there ap-
peared a faction headed and controlled by
Edward c. sheehy, now commissioner OF
Charities and Correction. After that Nc
Quade was only leader in name. sheehy DOM
mated. He represented younger element
which McQuade could not ignore.
The Judge avoided an open rupture with
Shcehy by taking him into camp and agreeing
| W UH cuuul ulNlSlpn VI pd'IuuuSc.
| From this truce arose sort OF personal and
family proprietorship OF the local district
nominees to the benefit OF the McQuade aud
! Sheehy factions, and no corporation In lhe
cily OF New York was aS "cloSe y as lhaI
which controlled the politics Of the Twenty
second Assembly district.
| In 1883 Sheehy, who had been an Alder
man and an Asscmblyman, was again can
ddate for Alderman, but suffered an inglorious
defeat At the hands of Charles II. Reilly.
Shcchy, having found that the people OF the
district would no longer support or elect him,
! C concluded that his brOthcr-in.llw, Joseph
Blumcnthal then resident OF the Fifteenth
Assembly District, would be the best man for
| him TO represent the lwcnty-SccOld In inc
Blumenthal was accordingly carpet-bagged
into the district, and his Nomination and
| election ensued each year thereafter until his
defeat by O'Dair this month.
McQuade's share OF the recognition con-
sisted OF good city contracts.
While the County Democracy was strong.
Mr.. Shcehy secured the annual return OF
Blumental 10 the Assembly by forming an
alliance with Henry z. Hart, the County
leader, who indorscd Blumenthals nomlna-
tion IN return for the Endorsement by the
Tammany organization OF the nomination or
Redmond j. Barry iOr Alderman.
| Barry, while County Democrat, was q
strong supporter OF sheehy, as well as a
after his election Tor second term quietly
slid into Tammany Hall.
AT this time 1t was evident to the voters
! that the leaders OF both organizations were
members OF a happy family which lad Sc
cured a division OF the patronage allotted to
the district.
| Democracy leader, supported several Tam
many candidates in return for the indorse-
menl of his own nomination for Alderman.
| Then 1t WAS that the members OF the county
| Democracy, who were "not In II In the mat
ter OF patronage, concluded that they had
feathered Hart's nest too long, and he was
superseded by John j. Quinlan as leader.
| The dissatisfaction In Tainmany Hall was
growing, TOO, and when Commissioner
Sheehy's brother-in-law was nominated for
Assemblyman.fo for the NTH time the younger
members OF the district organization re
tenure OF the ofIlce, or II there was none
other In the district capable or represent
ing Etsv H.; ,vor. ,.v,n =, rn,.r.,on, tho, com
missioner Sheehy was boss, and that lis
brotner-in-law was to be A. Assemblyman so
long as Mr.. sheehy desired his return to Al
bany. Then came the revolt, and a number
OF young men left the organization.
| Tammany would not indOrse the Voorhis
candidate Tor Alderman, although Mr.Croker
had advised such action, because Mr.. Sheehy
had promised Alderman Hart reelection,
and the Voorhis support was therefore with
held from Mr.. sheehy's brother.in-law.
The young men, who were Disguised with
| the family politics OF the Tammany leaders
In the district, allied themselves with the
Voorhis and County Democracy leaders, both
young men, and the combination against
Blnmenthal was made on O'Dair, the candi-
date OF the ballot reformers and the Republi-
cans.
Blumenthal, too, was made the target for
the attack OF the police and iremcn. AS
Chairman OF the Assembly Committee Oh
Cities he had TO execute the orders OF the
Tammany Hall leaders and prevent the pas
| sage OF the bills introduced In the Legislature
| for the increase OF the salaries OF policemen
AMI firemen.
The men could not reach Police Commits
siOncr Martin and other or BlumentnaIS s
political sponsors, and SO they wreaked their
| vengeance on him.
Through their efforts and those OF the young
men OF the district, Blumenthal was beaten
| by about 400 votes, while Flower for Cover
| nor carried the district by nearly $500.
Because family rather than party interests
were considered In the selection OF district
candidates, Mr.. Croker has decided to name
John D. Long as the new leader to succeed
| John McQuade.