Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-11
THE NEW YORK SITUATION.
Effect of Fassett's Nomination on Demo
cratic Plans-Hill and the Senatorship.

Effect of Fassett's Nomination on Demo-
cratic Plans-Hiii and the senatorship.
There is a feeling among politicians who are
familiar with the New York situation that the
nomination OF Fassett by the republicans will
cause the democrats considerable uneasiness
and no little embarrassment 1t makes it very
important to them that perfect harmony in
their ranks shall be secured and it may upset
some OF the plans for the convention which
have already been made. The republicans will
probably be united under the leadership Of
Fassett though some of Erhardt's friends may
hold out on account Of the fight that was had
over the collectorship. Those who wanted
Erhardt to retain his place in the custom
house may find it particularly difficult to bring
whom Platt used to knock their friend out, but
there is a general belief that Fassett 10 strong
enough to overcome that difficulty.
lhe democratic plan has contemplated the
nomination of Flower, but there is some
suspicion that Mr.. Hill may step in and take
the nomination himself, in which event the
democrats would be in q worse shape than they
now are With Flower as the candidate there
might be only show of harmony but with
Hill there would probably not be any attempt
tagonism.
Fassett is regarded as both man of high
Character and a shrewd politician backed by a
very general popularity strong enough perhaps
70 onset the feeling OF antagonlsm which is cher
ished by many against Platt and all who repre-
sent PIattism.
GOV. HILL AND THE srNAroRsHIP.
1t is suggested that Gov. Hill though he per-
mitted himself to be elected to the United
states Senate, did SO. as it lis now openly stated,
against his own judgment and that of his most
frlpnds Nly haea of
conveyed to him by two of Lieut.. Gov. Jones
supporters in the legislature that unless he
took the senatorship and thus allowed Jones a
chance OF promotion they would join the re-
pupucans and vote for the reelection of
Evarts. de has never taken the first steps to
indicate his acceptance OF the position thus
conferred upon him. The records of the
United states Senate since the establishment of
the government fail 10 show another case of
senator unquestiOnabIy elected who withheld
MS credentials SO long as Gov. Hill has done.
SO far as the official roster of the Senate shows
there Is only one Senator from the state of New
lork-Mr. Hiscock, and the secretary of the
Senate has lying in his safe unclaimed over
S3,OoO salary and mileage appropriated for a
Senator from New York.
COMPLICATIONS THAT MIGHT OCCUR.
Should Gov. Hill determine to make the race
for governor there will be humorous pooh
Bah complication. Senator-elect David Ben
nett HUI Will have to notify Gov. David Ben
nett Hill officially that he declines to accept the
ofhce OF United States Senator, to which Gov.
Hiii has officially notified him that he was duly
elected. 1t will then become the duty of Gov.
Hill, the legislature not being in session and
legal vacancy being brought to his official
knowledge, to appoint United States Senator
for the state of New York to serve
from March last (and incidentally to
draw all the back pay) until the legis-
lature in the following January can fill the
vacancy in proper form. 1t is, perhaps, STRAIN
ing the possibilities of the ridiculous situation
to suggest that it would be legal for Gov. Hill
to appoint himself to fill the vacancy which he
himself had created and that he might thus
aSsuage the wrath of the ambitious lieutenant
governor by permitting him to play governor
Tor brief period. However estheiically de-
sirable this plan might be. it would involve a
REIMBURSEMENT of the control of the machine,
which Mr. Hill is not likely to risk.
Notwithstanding all these apparent absurdi-
ties, 1t Is gravely contended by democratic
politicians high in the councils of the party
that Hill and not Flower will be the nominee
put in the field to contend with Fassett.
For Hill to adopt such a course would be to
take desperate chances, as there may be limit
TO the bosslsm which party will stand. For
those men In his party who oppose him to work
Tor his election under such circumstances would
be for them to surrender 10 him completely
and to place the presidential nomination at mis-
disposal The chances are that a very large
element OF the democratic party would do
nothing at all to assist him in the campaign
and the independent voters of the state would
either vote for Fassett or run an independent
Candidate, either Of which would put Hill in
great jeopardy.