The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-09-28
INC Contests for the Assemhlx

Inc contests Tor the Assembly.
1t is a cardinal principle of the De-
mocracy to bow to the popular will.
even to the popular prejudice, right
or wrong. If any proposed line of
policy fails to find favor with the
people, true Democratic leaders
modify or withdraw it. If any man
represents ideas or plans which are
offensive to the people, if he is a good
democrat, he either surrenders his
own notions or withdraws from active
political contest. When he does so,
he suffers no whit in political reputa-
ton or standing. Quite the contrary.
The people are apt to think the more
of him for his obedience to their
wishes. If a politician, abandoning
the true Democratic idea, endeavors
to force himself upon the PEG pie
when his course has been condemned
or when he is identified with un-
popular propositions, then the people
are apt to treat him with the severity
he deserves, ''to turn him down" as
the politicians say, and to turn him
down with emphasis.
Several gentlemen who figured in
the last Assembly as members from
this county have just now the chance
to earn the gratitude of the party and
ultimately of their constituents by
withdrawing from the contest for a
denomination. They are identified
with matters, which, for the present,
at least, are viewed with popular dis
favor. Some of them voted for that
unfortunate and most misunderstood
"Coal Combine" bill. Some of them
are regarded as dual office holders.
Fol these or other reasons, the people
are FESTIVE at the idea of having them
set up for reelection, and it is certain
a considerable number will vote
against them who would vote for any
other democrat who might be nomi-
mated. There is no desire on the
part of the party, Headers or rank
and fle.-to place these men in any
invidious position. Where they erred,
they erred conscientiously and they
erred in mighty good company. If
there was a mistake made, the party
certainly has no idea of visiting the
whole penalty of it on their heads.
But the situation gives these men
the opportunity OF making a great
record for themselves-of showing the
unselfishness of their political action
and of putting their party under
great obligations. By voluntarily re-
firing from the field, these gentlemen
can do themselves more good person
ally and politically than half a dozen
terms in the Assembly would confer
on them. If they withdraw them
selves In a manly, frank way, nobody
can point the finger of scorn at them,
and when tho fog has cleared away
they will have a strong call on the
gratitude of the party.
If these gentlemen force themselves
into the field, they are, on the con-
trary booked for a very painful ex-
perience. They are very likely to be
beaten, even in strong Democratic
districts, and they may, most seri-
ously damage the State ticket. Take
MI. Tumilty's district. for instance.
With two candidates in the field, this
district is good for perhaps a thou
sand or SO Democratic majority; but
experience has shown that the vote is
unstable, and Mr.. Humility was only
able to get 514 plurality with three
candidates in the field. The Demo
vote in this district is
almost wholly made up Of that
element which suffers from the