The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-03
why tho Mugwumps Do Not Count,


why tho Mugwumps Do Not Count.
We have repeatedly affirmed and dem
onstrated that the Democracy OF New
York is numerically stronger without
the support Of the Mugwump contin-
gent than with 1t. This paradox has led q
Western correspondent to inquire how It
Is possible that a political party. in an i'm
portant and always doubtful State. can be
considered as stronger by the loss Of the
support of any number OF persons whose
votes count at the polls and are likely to be
needed. 1t is an interesting question. evil
IDENTIFY propounded In good faith. and we
undertake to answer it for the instruction
Of this correspondent and Of some other
persons to whom the politics Of the Empire
State seems to be an enigma. 1t is simple
enough when once you understand 1t.
There are in the State OF New York $1,000
Prohibtionist voters. Last year the exact
number was SO.353. A majority Of these
are former Republicans. separated from
their party on the single question OF tho
abolition or regulation Of the traffic in in
toxicants. Such being the case. it may be
asked why should not tho Republicans
make the concessions necessary to secure
the votes Of these Prohibttonists. and thus
surely and safely put themselves In a ma
jority In New York henceforth2 The an
swer Is easy. To do 30 would be to commit
the Republican party to the extreme and
unpopular notions Of these advocates OF
sumptusry restriction. For every vote
thus gained half @ dozen would be lost and
the result would be defeat and disaster.
That's why the Republicans. seldom beaten
by more than 10000 in New York when
beaten. are by the circumstances Of the
case stronger without the SC. 900 Prohibition
lists than they would be with them.
The Labor party polled 14.0OO votes at the
State election OF year ago. Amajonty gifts
members are former Democrats. estranged
from the party by the incendiary appeals
and arguments Of Socialist agitators. Why
should not the Democracy. some persons
might ask. trim Its sails for the support OF
this labor contingent. and thus blot out the
very last chance Of success for the Rapub-
Leans in New York; Again the answer is
easily given. To yield to the radical
aocialistic demands Of these extremists
would be to drive from the support Of
Democratic nominees hosts Of conservative
citizens. whose sound views Of public policy
lead them constantly to vote with the
Democracy. For every vote thus gained,
half dozen votes would be lost: In chase
for the shadow. the substance would inevi-
tably be sacrificed.
So 1t Is with the Mugwumps. fewer numer-
ically than the Prohlbitionists or the Social
lists. They represent but one political prin-
ciple. That Is the principle OF disorganiza-
ton. Any party in New York which has to
do with them. Is Of necessity defeated. To
gain their support either party would be
literally obliged to break Its ranks. 1t would
be compelled to depose and send to the
rear Its most able and skilful generals. to
furl Its most inspiriting standards. 10
smother Its most popular war cries. to fore
20 Its most approved methods OF warfare.
to muf1e Its bugles. and to spike Its guns.
That's what Mugwump control means to
either party. 1t would be as fatal to one a.
to the other.
In 1884. with every Democratic Mug
wump. high or low. hot In the chase
against the Republicans. the Democratic
nominee for President barely pulled through
In this State by plurality OF 1000.
One year later. with every Mugwump ar
rayed against him. DAVID b. HILL. with the
flower OF the Democracy In his support. car
{ied the State by . majority eleven times
greater. Again In 1883 CLEVELAND. with
tho full Mugwump assistance. was beaten
out Of his boots In New York: while HILL.
with the full force OF the contingent ranged
and raging against him. won. as the saying
u. hands down." Last year the Demo-
Gratis. taught by experience. did not walt
for the Mugwumps to leave. They kicked
them out. The Mugwumps allied them
selves with FAssErT. and Democratic ma
jority Of nearly $4,000 was the result. Tho
Democracy OF New York Is good deal
stronger without the Mugwumps than with
them. They are an encumbrance. They
bring. 1t Is true. the numerical support of a
handful Of voters; but at tho same time
they introduce disorganization into the
Democratic ranks and make much easier
the battle for the Republicans.
We hope the question of our correspond
ent. why Mugwumps don't count In New
York. is satisfactorily answered.
BENJAMIN and Molchizodek.