Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-02
FASSETTS MISTAKES.
Features Which Are Likely to Give
New York to the Democracy. /.
TANMANY'S MACHINE Is PERFECT.
Discussions From Flower Offset by the
Distrust of Platt.
THE CAMPAIGN WAS A PECULIAR ONE
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

| rFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
NEW YORK, Nov. 1.-The most remark
able State campaign New York ever ex
perienced has been brought to a close.
When the votes shall have been counted on
Tuesday sood many people who consider
themselves very clear at political figuring
will be surprised to the verge of astonish-
ment.
If we take the declaration of the respec-
tive political leaders there is margin for
this surprise of about 100, 900 votes. Messrs.
Hustled, Hiscock, Platt and Fassett predict
victory for the latter, ranging from twenty
to forty thousand. They may not believe
their own statements on this important
matter, but this is what they say. Should
they succeed in carrying the State by as
many hundreds they would not only be well
satisfied but they would hail it as great
triumph, On the other hand, Boss Croker
said to me to-day that New York City
would meet the Republicans at Harlem
Bridge with 110, 900 majority. This would
give the State to Flower, the Republicans
holding their own up the State, by Demo-
cratic majority of about $4,000.
Boss Croker and His Machine.
Perhaps the great Tammany chiefs esti-
mate is somewhat extravagant. But as be-
tween Boss Croker and Boss Platt you can
safely take the Tammany leader as political
guide. Compared to the magnificent organ
ization which holds New York City in the
hollow of its hand-which exercises de-
gree and thoroughness of discipline over
its membership and a most minute and in
dividnal care of the atoms that make up the
local Democratic party as whole unknown
to any other political organization on the
face of the globe-the Republican canvass
has amounted to an uncertain, desultory
warfare, carried on by irregular troops and
bushwhackers
The universal rule of success in effective
political work lies with the best organized
forces, the issues being fairly divided in the
public mind. There is no secret in the
strength of Tammany Hall It is plainly
emblazoned in the permanent existence of
an influential body of citizens who make
politics business. From the Grand Sachem
down to the lowest ward heeler in the slums
the discipline of the camp is maintained
from year to year practically unimpairej.
The district leaders are as autocratic in
their respective spheres as are the various
bureau chiefs of o government department.
Beneath them are their captains, lieuten-
ants and sub-lieutenants and non-com-
missioned staff by the score. Each of these
carries responsibility of his own, and this
responsibility is to absorb voters, see that
Democratic voters register and vote, and
to harass the enemy.
An Immense Political Power.
The lmmerse revenues of the great
metropolis are disbursed through its mem
bership and every public official from the
Mayor down to the driver of scavenper
cart pays tribute to it. Against such a
political machine the opposition must
harmonize the most discordant elements
ever gathered together under one banner.
1t must organize from the bottom-a bot
tom full Of factional mud and rock and
quicksand. 1t must bring into play the
combined forces of the State at large. With
such disadvantages it enters upon losing
battle at the beginning The only chance
of winning is through the issues of a
national canvass that rise in the public
mind paramount to party fealty, or through
the dissensions in the ranks of Tammany
itself.
In the campaign just closed the Repub-
lican County Democracy rag tag -and-bob-
tail combination has not been assisted by
eltueI VI buceC CoutiDScuclcS. Luis 'cOmDl-
nation of incongruous political elements has
had no organization worthy of the name.
Respectable and wealthy Republicans dis
gruntled Democrats, thieves, professional
reformers, plug-uglies, mugwumps, disap-
pointed spoilsmen, repeaters-every grade
Of political thought and purpose and every
degree OF moral and immoral personality
have been banded together for the time
being by the cohesive power of public
plunder against the compact ranks of the
regular Democracy.
Platts Kind Of RepubIicanism.
The next election sees new combination
very likely with elements now bitterly op-
posed With Tammany or against Tam
many-with the County Democracy or
against 1.-THE Platt style of Republicans
are for any deal that promises success.
Now on this side, now on that, with what
public respect can such leadership be re-
garded? The surprise is not that New
York City rolls up from $4,000 to 100, 900
Democratic majority in such contest, but
that such combination can cast as many
votes as it does.
Apart from the differences of organization
and inherent purpose, the respective meth eds
of operation and the character of the re-
spectlve candidates have contributed most
effectively TO the results of next Tuesday.
The Republican candidate for Governor is
not only weak one from the general point
of view, but he has shown himself utterly |
blind to the commonest rules of successful |
political warfare and private decency. He |
has conducted his canvass on the hypothesis |
that the people are ignorant fools incapable |
of personal judgment. He has never made |
o speech that does not betray this-!hat |
does not insult every intelligent and honor |
able citizen. He invariably lost his temper, ,
and the man who loses his temper on the |
don't believe Fassett made vote for him. |
self anywhere in New York City during the |
canvass
Handicapped by Bad Leadership.
Next to and behind Candidate Fassett |
Piatt. Fassett the product-Platt the
sower, the tiller, the harvester. No amount
Of smoke and dust and spIashing of mud
could conceal the relationship of T. C. Platt
10 this campaign. With such leader as
Platt, the Republicans are heavily handi-
capped In any campaign. WELDING auto
cratic power in his own party, he grasps for
he dictatorship in the affairs of the Empire
State. Plattism makes Tammanyism not
,nly possible but respectable.
The sullen attitude of the men of brains
whom Platt has bolted and humiliated. has
,een sought to be concealed from public
7iew for the time, but not even the hasty
'eturn of Warner Miller and the forced
speeches of Hiscock can disguise the hall
mothered hatred of the ring master 1t is
IN unknown quantity that will be fully ex-
plotted in the near hereafter.
The longer the campaign ran the stronger
became Mr.. Flower, chiefly by contrast