The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-04
Tbe ~ Sm,r.
WEDNESDAY. MAY 4. 1899.
Tho United Democracy Of New York.

ture to the principal bills enacted by the
Legislature, to the passage OF which the
Democracy was committed. and by the
adoption OF which IL expects Its record In
Albany to DO judged ut tho coming cleo
tions. The state Legislature OF ls92-the
FIRST Democratic one In both branches ir
many ycnrs-has adjourned after regular
session OF businesslike brevity and great
practical utility. and after a special session
wherein that long deferred net OF justice and
enfranchisement. q fair apportionment. was
secured for the voters.
Just as tho members Of Democratic
Congress are. by common acknowledg.
ment. accepted as the representatives OF
their party's principles and purposes In the
national field. 30 the Democratic members
Of the New York Legislature act with au-
thority for tho party which elected them.
and whose wishes they obey. The Leg
islature had. In its upper branch. Demo-
cratic majority Of but two votes. and In the
lower branch majority OF but six. A d.
vision OF similar closeness had not been
seen for twenty-one years. The change
or loss Of single Democratic vote In the
upper branch. or Of three Democratic votes
in the lower branch. would have made either
body tie. Two votes in one. or four In the
other. would have turned the political scale.
We must remember that under the former
unfair and now obsolete basis OF election.
many Of the Democrats chosen rep
resented constituencies normally Re-
publican: and they had the best
OF reasons. therefore. for acting In
such q manner as would placate the in
dependent voters to whom. in considerable
measure, they owed their success. Under
these circumstances. 1t may be truly said
that in no previous Legislature have the
conditions on the Democratic side con-
duced more largely to the exercise OF
party independence. and freedom from the
trammels Of organization. Yet what does
the record show2 That the Democracy Of
the State Of New York is rent in twain. its
members divided into two hostile camps
That there Is loud cutlery, and many dis
sentients. against the rule Of tho regular
organization And that the party Is hope
lessly divided2 Not at all. Not one Of
these things Is visible. On the contrary.
the Democratic party Of New York has
never been more united. more harm onlous.
or more enthusiastic and confident than at
this hour.
Wherever any attempt has latterly been
made by the Mugwump malcontents. now
shouting for CLEVELAND. to cause any
breach or division In the ranks OF the party.
they have failed utterly. proving themselves
unable to control solitary Democratic
vote. Thus In the case Of the Inspectors Of
Elections bill. an important measure. de-
signed to equalize the election officers in New
York city with those in other counties. a
loud outcry was made by the Mugwumps.
Mr.. E. E. ANDERSON delivered speech, Mr..
JAMES O'BR1EN appended his name to q
letter. and Mr. w. H. PEcKHAM was discerned
1t the head Of o phantom phalanx: yet the
Democrats Of the Legislature passed the
bill, and it is now law. Again in the May
HARD investigation, designed to dlscredit
Democratic judicial officer. the full vote of
the CLEVELAND Mugwump contingent was
cast viciously. but not one Democratic
was swerved from his course.
It was so with every measure favored by
the Democracy. The opposition Of the few
OF the speckled CLEVELAND
variety. proved to be as futile as 1t was frac- |
eious. representing nobody. influencing
nobody. having no constituency anywhere.
and existing only on paper. they were un-
able to secure In either branch Of tho Leg.
lslature support enough. In combination |
With the Republicans. to turn the scale:
and they can have no better luck with the
voters in November. with every man Jack
Of them supporting the Republican ticket.
There are not enough Of them to make any
difference. either In the Legislature or at
tho polls.
That is the whole story. What better
answer to the reports OF alleged divisions,
than tho unity shown by the Democrats of
the Legislature. could there be furnished to
tho Democrats Of the United States. who will,
ut the moment OF tho National Convention,
regard the position OF the party
In the Empire Slater 1t is complete. and it
Is most satisfactory.
The Albany Convention held on WASH
Birthday spoke for united. Wig
prous. and harmonious party. Tho Demo-
cratic majority In tho Legislature has also
spoken to the same effect. Both give the
same message of cheer. confidence. and
hDpe TO the Democratic electors In other
Etatos. 1t is the message of victory with
honor md wit bnut n >, ~, =, ,,,,;,,