The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-18
THE OUTLOOK AT CHICAGO.

1t is yet too soon to see anything clearly
at Chicago Convention time is the season
at which the roorback fourishes most luxu-
riantly 1t is we'll to be on guard against
believing any story which seems improbable
on its face.
On general principles it is not wise TO
select a candidate whose ability to carry his
own State is questioned. From all accounts
the local fight in New York has reached a
point of unexampled bitterness. 1t is not
only that HIPS passions are engaged; he
must be sagacious enough to realize that,
while he might kill Cleveland. he would
commit suicide in the attempt, and that lie
would not gain much by that But Tam
many's life hangs In the balance. That
powerful organization, which, with some
periods of interregnum, has held the New
York Democracy in the hollow of its hand
for nearly a quarter Of a century, now stands
10 lose power, prestige. patronage and pelf,
if Cleveland is nominated and elected.
That must be a dismal alternative to
professional politicians of the Democratic
party in New York, for the fight will
be one in which no quarter will be
asked or given. Some years ago, Puck hit
off the situation in a cartoon, which de-
picted the late John Kelly-then sachem OF
Tammany-asking Cleveland, What shall
it be, peace or WARP" And the eX-Sherif OF
Buffalo, with a bitter smile, answered,
War, Johnnie, war"
The crisis is not unexampled. Forty years
ago, war was declared by Tammany upon
Fernando Wood. Wood accepted the chal-
lenge, founded the Irving Hall Democracy,
and fought Tammany with such success that
he became Mayor and member of Congress,
in spite Of its braves and in spite of the at
tack brought upon him for his disloyalty'
Twenty years later, Tammany, loyal to its
eX-sachem Tweed. challenged Samuel j..
Tilden. lie accepted the conflict, gave blow
for blow, obtained the nomination for Gov
ernor in opposition to the sachems. and in
spite Of the vehement protests Of Tam
many, who declared that he could not
carry New York, secured the Presi-
Dental nomination at ST. Louis. Tam
many's present hostility to Cleveland
is not more bitter than its former hostility
TO Tiiden. More recently. in its conflicts
with the County Democracy, Tammany has
more than once been beaten and has shaken
Public confidence in its prestige. In 1879,
when it b0lted the regular ticket and ran
John Kelly for Governor it only pOlled
77,C00 votes out Of total of S70,000, which
occurrence had the effect Of still further i'm
pairing confidence in its strength.
These things are remembered by Demo
Gratis outside Of New York, and the memory
is not likely to strengthen Tammany's in
fiuenee in Chicago. 1t is possible that, on
q calm review of the field, the members of
the convention may decide that it would be
good politics 10 pass Cleveland over and to
nominate some such candidate as Palmer or
Pattisun or Boies on the principle that it is
more discreet TO take all precautions to
carry the election than to choose the best
man In the party. But people who are
curious about the result will do well TO
bear in mind that the influence of Tam
many may be Offset by the very general de-
sire 10 see it dOwned. To most American
minds Tammany typifes machine politics.
Ii is viewed as a compact organization
which buys the votes of the New YORK
rabble with the spoiIs of great city. II is
rarely found on the right side OF a public
question or in support OF pure man. 1t
cannot be said to emb1dy all that is bad in
modern American politics, but II embraces
large snare of the badness aud It's tTi-
umphal example is responsible for much Of
the TottenHess that prevails in party poll
ties outside of New York.