New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-25
THE LESSON or ALBANY.

The late Democratic state Convention at Al
hanv. harmonious ard SmCo-h-rnning as 1t was
with never the breath Of difference or sigh OF
discomfort, furnishes an objcct-lesson which
sober minded citizens would do well 70 ponder.
Consider it for moment. This was regular
Democratic State Convention. Regularly called,
by a regular State Committee. Made up OF dele
gates regularly chosen from every Assembly
District in the State. II was regular repre-
sentaton Of % thorough and complete political
organization. If there was ever convention
that represented with ceamcss and precision thc
will of the party that called it this was one. II
there was dissatisfaction, no wave of it broke
over tho edge of This regularly constituted body
this well-authcnticated, formal legitimate mouth
niece of the party. If there was mutiny, 10
sound of it over entered the cars OF theaa dele
gated authorities. The convention was bcautl-
fully harmonious from the first word OF tho
Bounding Beebo to the last exhortation Of SEN
ator Hill. BY the voice of that convention the
Democratic party Of the state Of New-lork
had but one choice for President, and that was
for David B. Hill.
And vet who does not know that in this same
Democratic party Of the State OF Ncw-iok
there are wide differences of opinion on the
question OF the Presidency? An organized OPP
position to the whole action OF the convention
was at hand. 1t vainly tried to make ltSe1
heard in the proceedings. 1t secured a sort OF
hearing IN certain preliminaries which DO not
figure at all in the regular report, Bat actually
no ripple disturbed the harmony Of the convention
itself. At the same time, there is no one so
ignorant of current politics as not 10 know that
this regularly organized and regularly conSt-
tuled body calling itself the democratic party
did not represent the majority of tho voters com
posing the party. For nothing that has not been
asoertancd by actual numerical count can DO
more certain than that the Democratic voters OF
the State favor Grover Cleveland rather than
David b. Hill as the Presidential! candidate.
The least that can be said is that they arc near
" equally divided on that question. In tho face
OF this palpablc and undcniable fact rises up
the other remarkable fact that in the regular
convention of the party not only was there no
suggestion of Mr.. Cleyeand's name as a pos
sible candidate, but a studied avoidance OF any
mention of him in any relation whatever. Is
the only President the party has had for thirty
years ho was certainly worth naming, but il was
one Of the few striking features, perhaps, in
deed the only striking feature Of tho conyen-
ton. tina. his name does not appear anywhere
in reports, resolutions, or anybOdy's speech. IL
was as if he had never been.
And this signifes-what? Why, only that
through the management of David b. Hi the
Democratic party has passed into the absolute
control Of Tammany Hail. and that Tammany
Hall is local, petty, personal and does not want
Grover Cleveland. In fact, has got through
with him. Used him very effectively in the
last campaign, but that being over, has no fur
Their use for him and has dropped him. Any
further significance? Yes. That David b. Hill
and Tammany Hall behind him are getting 10
be just little too arrogant for endurance by the
average voter. The reason? Perfectly plain.
ElleIy Anderson and Frederic Coudcrt and
Charles Farchd and the rest, though they kick,
never kick for keeps but always end in
Knocking and falling into line. They make
great show OF independence between times but
never fail 70 come 70 tho support Of Tammany
when T0mmany needs ii. And every time they
kick they save themselves by kissing a little
later They always have Gan anchor to the
windward"; always have the record Of never
boiling regular ticket to appeal to. So Tim
many laughs when they kick, and proceeds to
ride over them rough shod.
The lesson? Why, only this that Tammany
Hall is the most powerful and the most danger
Gus political machine that ever had an exist
ence in this country.