The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-29
The Contest in westchester.

| The Contest in Westcheeter.
westchester county, New York's northern
neighbor, formed a part OF the Twelfth
Senatorial District under the old appor-
| tionment. Rockland. Democratic county,
| was Joined with IL, and the two gave
usually about $500 Democratic major
ity. except when the Hon. WILLIAM
| III. ROBERTSON was the Republican can
didate. and on such occasions 1t was
his custom to be elected. In 1899. Mr.
ROBERTSON, an imposing Republican figure
in the politics OF this State. was last
chosen. In 1891 he retired and CHARLES +.
MCCLELIAND. a Democrat. was chosen rs
his successor Mr.. MoCLELLAND had been
one OF the Custom House officers OF the
first CLEVELAND Administration. and he
was twice elected a member OF Assembly
from Westchester. where he resides. In
the State Senate last winter he made
some pretence OF opposition to his as
sociates In the Democratic caucus on
the Senatorial question. the understands
ing being general among his friends that
he did so in furtherance OF an agreement
that he was to be assisted with Federal pat
ronage in his campaign for denomination,
in return for opposing Mr.. MURPHY.
In these days Of controversy. some OF 1t
idle, some Of it unwarranted, and some OF
it absolutely scandalous. over alleged
ante-election agreements for Federal pat
ronage. it Is difficult to say with posi-
tiveness whether the expectations OF MIR.
MCCIEILAND and his friends we're based
merely on hope. or upon a clear and explicit
promise such as marked the Victoria Hotel
agreement, OF famous memory and up to
date OF specific fulfilment. However that
may be- Senator MCCLELLAND and his
friends disattached themselves to the ex-
tent which they considered safe. from the
regular organization of the State Democ-
racy. They have played, to quote phrase
used at cards, lone hand, banking, to
use another card phrase. upon. the sup
port, when needed. OF the Federal Admins
tration. No doubt appears to have ex-
listed in their minds that this would be
forthcoming at the appropriate and criti-
cal time; but. unfortunately for their hopes.
the Federal nominations which they con.
fidently counted upon in advance Of the
Senatorial primaries, were hung up. or. as
some OF the excited partisans express it.
1.-THE Senator was deserted by the people in
Washington"
This is harsh phrase. and one which
does not seem to be warranted by the facts
Of the case. as they are generally under
stood. No evidence has been adduced in
support OF the claim that 1.-The people in
Washington'-as those controlling Demo-
cratic appointments there are CURLY spoken
of-had any knowledge of the arrange
ment alleged to have been made with
Mr.. MCCLELLAND. There is no evidence,
either. that had such an arrangement been
entered into hereabouts by individuals
claiming authority to make it. it would
have seemed incumbent upon the Demo-
cratic Administration to fulfil its terms
and conditions.
Mr.. CLEvELANDS views on the subject OF
the payment of ante-election services by
Federal appointments, are well known. He
Is Internationally opposed to such arrange
ments. and has been dehantly and contnu-
ously so for many years. Apubic office. in
his estimate OF the matter. is a public
trust. 1t is not party asset, to be real
lied on after election day. or a spoil OF
political warfare to be apportioned to
the most vigorous and successful party
worker. Accordingly. what reason is
there to suppose that any arrange
ment such as Mr.. McCLELLAND's friends
aver existed with regard to West
chester county's share of the Federal
offices. was ever agreed to. or even ever
known OF. by Mr.. CLEVELAND? There is
none at hand. Meanwhile it is to be re-
corded that the various primary cleo
ton contests in Westchester have re-
suited adversely to Mr.. MCCLELLAND,
and favorably to the cause OF his opponent
for the Senatorial nomination, Mr.. ALFRED
H. MORRIS. now Assemblyman from the
Second district of Westchester county.
Mr. NORRIS. who heartily and cor
daily supported EDWARD MURPHY. Jr.. for
Senator In the Democratic caucus in Janu-
airy. and whose political record Is without
a faint OF disloyalty to the regular State
organization, will. from present appear
ances. get the Senatorial nomination unop-
posed; and his election will not be more
difficult because Westchester is now part
OF a strong Democratic district. This dis
trict Is made up of Westchestcr and Putnam
counties and the Twenty-fourth ward of
the city OF New York. 1t has Democratic
majority Of more than 5000; and even
though our Republican friends again talk
Of running Judge ROBERTSON from very
force Of habit. there is no cause for
fear that Westchester county will not
continue to have a Democratic Senator.
Thus ends what some Republicans have de-
scribed as "the Democratic revolt" in West
chester county; and so. we dare say, will
end so-called Democratic revolts in other
parts OF the State against the rule of the
majority ms registered at Democratic pri-
maries and at the polls.