The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-14
THE NEW YORK CAMPAIGN.
Tammany Hall Against tho Field-The
Republicans United.


greater contest of next year for political supre-
macy in the country, but it 10 conceded that
national issues will cut very small inquire In
the canvass
The lines are sharply drawn. It Is virtually
Tammany Hall against the field.
For the first time In its history Tammany is
reaching out beyond the confines OF this city.
Heretofore Tammany has been content to limit
its efforts to the metropolis. The patronage of
this city might well satisfy the ambition of
any ordinary organization 1t costs $50, 900
year to run The municipality of the city of
New York, or more than the expense of main-
tanning the national government during the
first ten or fifteen years of its existence 1t is
estimated that there are at least 1900 men on
the pay rolls of this city, and when one includes
the men who are directly and indirectly con-
nected with the city government, $1,000 would
be nearer the correct figure No city In the
world spends so much money with so little TO
show for Ii as New York.
The question Is asked, Why Is Tammany seek
ing new fields to conquer? Is 1t encouraged by
its success in this city to try and capture the
state government and possibly the presidency?
II the Tammany organization should succeed in
electing Mr.. Flower on the Sd OF November the
natural logic of the situation would lead to their
controlling the nomination of the Democratic
candidate for president next year. Many con-
sentative Democrats already scent this danger
In the distance, and they are only giving luke
warm support to the Tammany-Flo ticket.
1t is not thought that Tammany has essayed
to capture the state government solely with
desire for conquest. The greed and rapacity OF
that organization are unlimited, but their lead
ers possess a certain amount of discretion. They
would not risk the rich plum they hold in this
city for the doubtful issue of state contest un-
less there were good reasons for it.
The truth is that Tammany has been practi-
cally forced to extend its lines in order to main
tain its hold In this city. A hostile governor at
Albany and a hostile legislature could smash
the power OF Tammany completely. All of the
laws for the governing OF this city are passed by
the legislature. The legislature and governor
acting together can revoke the existing charter,
repeal all OF the laws the statute books favor
able to Tammany, and reorganize all of the city
departments and deprive the mayor of most of
his appointing power Republican legislatures
Tor good many years have passed bills striking
at Tammany, which have all been promptly
vetoed as soon as they reached Governor HILL
While Hill has "stood i'm with Tammany, his
successor, even if q Democrat, might not be SO
obliging. There Is strong element In the
Democratic party in the state that would like to
see Tammanys power curbed. The organiza-
ton was, therefore, compelled to take a hand In
the gubernational contest for its own prcserva-
ton. Success in the state will naturally induce
Tammany to look ahead to Washington City.
If Flower IL elected this November Tammany
will certainly weld powerful influence in the
Democratic national convention next year.
The friends of Mr.. Cleveland do not view this
prospect with any great enthusiasm, hence their
support of Mr.. Flower is not very active
Under ordinary conditions the odds would be
I'm Mr.. Flowers favor. The Republicans have
elected only two governors In this state in
twenty years-John A. Dix In 1872 and Alonzo
B. Cornell in 1879. The Democrats are fond Of
saying that New York 10 ''naturally Demo-
afota ha Pc hav ria1
twice and the Democrats twice for president
since 1876, so, in sporting parlance, 1t is
"stand-off" on national issues. Cleveland's
majority in 1884 was very slender and was only
brought about by combination of accidents
and bad management New York is Just as
much OF a Republican state at presidential cleo
tions as 1t is naturally Democratic at state cleo
tons, but it is close enough at any time to be
good fighting ground.
The Republicans are at disadvantage in the
off year or state compaigns. The bulk of their
vote Is located in the rural districts and 1t
seems impossible to get 1t out except under the
excitement OF presidential contest.
Another reason why the Republicans make a
better showing at national elections over state
campaigns is because they have the assistance
OF United States deputy marshals at national
contests. These deputy marshals are very USE
full in this city-preventing colonizng and
fraudulent registration.
In this city in the state campaigns than at other
times. The Tammany managers have whole
some fear OF the deputy marshsls but they are
quick to improve their opportunity when the
federal authority is not available.
The Republican leaders recognize the fact that
their greatest danger this year is in false regis
tering in this city. They are making special
efforts TO guard against it and hold the Tam
many braves in check, but they admit that it
Will be impossible TO prevent colonizing alto
gether. All they can hope to do is to keep 1t
within reasonable bounds
The election will take place four weeks from
today. This is the first day of registration in
this city. 1t has been very heavy throughout
the city-more like the first day OF registration
OF presidential year. In Brooklyn the registry
was IN excess OF previous years, and the reports
from all over the state indicate unusual interest
for an of year. So far the registry in this city
Is indicated, the showing is quite favorable to
the Republicans. The increase in Republican
districts is marked.
Experienced politicians say that the vote in
the state this year viii equal that of a presi-
Dental year. II the gain holds good in the
country districts the Republicans should have
the best of il.
Although election day is only four weeks dis.
tant the Democrats have displayed very little
activity outwardly The atmosphere around
their headquarters seems to be charged with an
apathy amounting almost TO ind ference.
The Republicans, on the other hand, have
been making hard aggressive fight ever since
their ticket was nominated. Every faction in
their party is working earnestly for the success
OF their candidates. Miller, Plat, d pew and
Hiscock men are all standing shoulder to
shoulder in the front rank. Not for twenty
years have the Republicans been so harmonious
and so wei organized as they are today. The
Democrats are certainly divided in spite OF the
joint appearance OF Cleveland and Hiu at q
Flower meeting.
The ignoring of the County Democracy and all
other Democratic organizations in this city ex-
sures a very large Democratic vote here for the
Republican state ticket Ii Is estimated that
there are between $1,000 and 5000 Democrats
Manhattan island that do not belong to
Tammany hall ana are not in sympathy with
that organization. They resent the growing
power Of Tamnany ana ii Is safe to predict that
the majority of them will either refrain from
voting on election day or cast their ballot
directly for the Republican candidates The
resignation OF Herman Oelrichs from the Demo-
cratic national committee is q blow right be.
tween the eyes to the Democratic ticket The
Tammany people profess TO make light
of it but IL is evident from their man
ner that il has scared them badly
Mr. Oelriehs' resignation bears out completely
the statements made by Mr.. Fassett aud the Re-
publican leaders that the issue il simply be-
tween Tammany and anti-Tammany. Mr.. DEL
riehs' standing in his party gives his letter
great weight. 1t viii have powerful influence