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
Twenty-sccond District

The greatest local surprise OF the recent
election was the defeat OF hsscmblyinan
Joseph Biumcnlhul, Tammany's candidate
for reelection in the Twenty second District
OF this city, and the success OF william j.
O'Dair. an Independent, who the Republicans
hope may hold the balance OF power In the
next Assembly.
Blumcnthal 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
tcresting study OF municipal politics, and cx-
| plain why Richard croker has determined TO
| have n new leader OF the Tammany forces In
the district IN place OF eA-Police Justice John
McQuade.
MCQuadc held undisputod sway as the
Tammany chiettain OF the Twenty-sccond
District from 1865 to 1850, when there ap-
peared faction headed and controlled by
Edward c. Sheehy, now commissioner OF
Charities and Correction. After that Me-
Quade was only leader in name. sheehy DOM
mated. lie represented younger element
which McQuadc could not ignore.
| The Judge avoided an open rupture with
Sheehy by taking him into camp and agreeipg
to an equal division OF patronage.
From this truce arose a sort OF pcrsonarand
family proprietorship OF the local district
nominees to the benefit OF the McQuadc aud
| Sheehy factions, and no corporation IN The
city OF New York was AS "ciUse y as that
which controlled the politics OF the Twenty
second Assembly District.
| In 1883 Shephy, who mad been an Alder
man and an Asscmblyman, was again can
didate for Alderman, but suffered an ingloiious
defeat ut the hands OF Charles h. Reilly.
Sheehy, having found that the people or the
district would nolongcr support or elect him,
concluded that his brother-in.law. Joseph
Blumenthal, then resident OF the Fifteenth
| Assembly District, would be the best man for
| hin TO represent the lwenty-Second IN the
Assembly.
Blumenthal was accordingly carpet-bagged
into the district, and his nomination and
election cnsucd each year thereafter until his
defeat by O'Dair this month.
McQuade's share Of the recognition oon-
sisted OF good city contracts.
While the County Democracy was strong,
Mr. sheehy secured the annual return OF
Blumental to the Assembly by forming an
alliance with Henry {: Hart, the county
leader, who Endorsed Blumenthal's nomina.
Tammany organization OF the nomination or
| Redmond j. Barry for Alderman.
Barry, while a County Democrat, was a
strong supporter OF Sheeny, as ,Unr wei as ,s
after his election Tor q 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 happy family which had Sc
cured division OF the patronage allotted to
tho district.
Democracy leader, supported several Tam
| many candidates in return for the indOrse-
ment OF his own nomination for Alderman.
Then 1t was that the members OF the County
| Democracy, who were "nut In 1t In the mat
ter Of patronage, concluded that they had
feathered Iiarts nest too long, and he was
superseded by John J. Quinlan az leader.
The dissatisfaction In Tammany Hall was
growing, too, and when Commissioner
Sheehy's brother-in-law was nominated Tor
Asscmblyman for the NTH time the younger
members OF the district organization re-
tenure OF the office, or II there was none
other In the district capable OF represent-
ing It. = E..
missioner Sleehy was boss, and that his
brotncr-n-law was TO be A semblyman 81
long US MIR. Shechy desired his return to AL
bany. Then came the revolt, and u number
OF young men lctt the organization.
1ammany would not indorse the voorhs
candidate Tor Alderman, although MrCroker
had advised such action, because Mr. Shcehy
had promised Alderman Hart reelection,
and the VOorhls support was therefore with
held from Mr.. sheehy's brother-ln-law.
The young men. who were disguised with
the family politics OF the Tammany leaders
In the district, allied themselves with the
Noorhis and County Democracy leaders, botn
young men, and the combination against
Blumenthal was made on ODair, The candi-
date Of the ballot relormers and the Repubii-
| cans.
Blumenthal, too, was made the target for
the attack Of the police and tremen. As
! Chairman OF the Assembly Committee on
| Cities he had TO execute the orders OF the
Tammany Hall leaders and prevent the pas
I sage Of the bills introduced In the Legislature
| for the increase OF the salaries Of policemen
and firemcn.
The men could not reach Police Commits
| SiOnrr Martin and other OF BlumenthalS
political sponsors,a SO they wreaked their
vengeance on him.
| Through their efforts and those OF he young
men OF the district, Blumenlhal was beaten
by about 400 votes, White Flower for Cover
nor carried the diStric: by nearly $500.
| Because family rather than party Interest ;
| We're considered in the selection OF district
candidates, Mr.. Croker has decided to name
John y. Long as the new leader 10 succ ca
John McQuade.