The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-18
The Anti-snappers Gone.

The reason given by Harper's Weekly. a
Journal which used to speak authorita-
lively for Mr.. CLEVELAND and his circle
Of political friends before the Ledger Of
Philadelphia undertook, ut the hands Of
MIR. L. G. DAVIS. to be the Presidents per-
sonal organ. for the sudden collapse and
general breakdown Of the anti-snappers is
ingenious. Thousands Of anti-snappers
assert" says Harper's. " that they could not
hope to beat the machine. because the Pres
ident declined to recognize their organiza-
tion In the distribution of patronage
There Is. We presume. no general denial
OF the fact that the so-called antl-snappers
have gone to pieces. Their portentous
movement. full Of loud defiance and lurid
threats. has ended In smoke From Albany.
according to our contemporary. the Herald.
there is rumor Ito the effect that Judge
HERRICK and Senator HILL understand
each other perfectly and that HERR1cK Is
prepared to accept HILLS estimate OF
CLEVELAND" In Buffalo. DANIEL LOCK
WOOD. the sheet anchor OF the anti-snap
contingent in the west end OF the State.
has parted company with his former follow
ers; he presided at the Saratoga Convention.
WILSON SHANNON B1ssELL. 80 1t Ia anthem
tically announced. has deposited his grip
sack with the regular Democracy there
abouts, and arrangements are pending for
his appearance on the stump In Buffalo.
Tonawanda, Cheektowaga, French Creek.
Newfane. and Wheatheld in support Of the
candidates favored by the popular Demo-
cratic Northumberland and his asso-
clates. In Oswego WILLIAM A. PoUCHER,
the stormy petrol OF opposition In the
northern counties, has retired, solitary
and chagrined, to the tent of his polit-
ical hopes. the entrance to which bears
this placard: No admission. Closed for
reflection" In Brooklyn the face Of the
anti-snap contingent Is turned toward
the wall. and In Troy. Rochester. FL
mira. Syracuse. and Utica the anti-snap-
pers no longer cast their shadows upon the
political highway. Some have joined the
Republicans. Some have made common
cause with the Prohibtionists. Some have
gone over. with flags flying and tambours
beating. to the Socialists. A few. following
the formula OF W. II. GRACE. who by some
sinister trick OF an adverse political destiny.
seems to have been the man most distant
from the gangway when the disaster over
took the ship. declare that they are out OF
sight. They will take no part in this years
contest; they will waittill the clouds roll by.
In New York city. the citadel Of Democ-
racy. majority Of the anti-snappers have
joined Tammany Hall. which always has q
cordial welcome for belated wanderers.
The others. to use phrase which Is said to
have the sanction OF BOBBY GREENAwAY
MUNRoE. have been lost in the'shufiie.
Harper's Weekly attributes this collapse.
some Of the details OF which are sufficiently
interesting to justify their publication. to
the refusal Of President CLEVELAND Ito
recognize their organization In the distri-
button OF patronage" That's what. it in
Inmates. they are all after: Patronage! and
when they found that they could not get 1t.
they scattered. and their movement OF po-
litical regeneration ended In disappoint-
ment. recrmination. and dependency.
What wholesome object lesson the re-
cital OF this story furnishes to those who
permit themselves to be estranRed. by the
bauble OF patronage, from the fellowship
OF constitutional principle and definite ad-
ministrative purposes. How slender APP
pear the profits OF backsliders. when their
payment 10 defaulted upon How great Is
the awakening in politics OF men who see
the errors OF their way suddenly. as by the
blow OF brick!
The assertion OF thousands OF anti
snappers in explanation of their disaster
is probably not wholly without reason.
Hmpers Weekly Is reputable journal. odd
sometimes in its conclusions. but tradition
ally painstaking in its statements OF TACT.
Yet. crediting at it's full value. its ingenious
explanation. we still adhere to the notion
that had there been In August. 1893. wider
publicity given. in anti-snapper circles. to
the real details Of the Victoria Hotel con-
pact. made between Mr.. CLEVELAND and
the leaders OF the State Democracy. for the