The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-18
Nebraska and New York.

A serious difficulty Of factional charac-
ter existing between the two factions of
Democrats in Nebraska has reached the
Supreme Court Of that State on the question
Of party regularity. The failure Of the two
wings Of the party to harmonic was In part
caused by the intervention Of the national
Administration, a clear and comprehensive
account Of which has been furnished in the
columns OF our neighbor, the Eucntng Post.
II appears that the course Of the Federal
Administration toward the Democrats OF
Nebraska has been hostile and antagonistic.
Applicants for Federal office, says the Post,
"fswned upon Secretary MORTON" and at
l.st wears Democratic Convention, we are
told on the same authority, all candidates
for Federal Office were made 20 understand
that they must attend the Convention, and
vote as the Federal Administration dictated,
for the sake of office at hand or expected.
But IL seems that the Offices did not go
around. and the result Is that this year all
the disappointed men are anti-CLEvELAND
"The bulk Of the Democrats" as the Post
says, SHARED the general disgust with the
acts Of the President and Congress, and
Thought best to rebuke him and Congress
by esporsing the cause Of the men most re-
pugnant to them"
In Omaha, for instance, the chief town Of
Douglas county, the Federal Administration
was outvoted at the Convention primaries
FIVE to one: and the Post tells Of a rector OF
an Episcopal parish in Omaha who walked
two miles to attend Democratic primary
for the purpose Of voting in favor Of Mr..
CLEvELAND's opponents. The reverend
gentleman could not see he said, why
Federal olliceholders considered IL part OF
the duties of their offices to become offensive
and conspicuous in attempting to defeat any
candidate. especially by unfair means. Re
duced to its simple elements, the situation in
Nebraska is this: The regular Democrats,
at their Convention, have nominated a can
didate for Governor; while the forces Of the
Federal Administration, that is to say, the
officeholders, are used to equip and assist
n boiling faction to the sole benefit and
advantage of the Republican party. The
power of the Supreme Court has been in
voked to decide the question of regularity
between the two.
In the State Of New York a somewhat
similar question is forced upon the notice of
oil Democrats. A political life and death
fight appears to be going on between the
senior representative in the United States
Senate on one hand, and the allied forces of
Republicanism, Mugwumpery, and dissen-
tient Democratic factions on the other The
Federal Administration, with a horde Of Of
ficehoders, Office seekers, and partisan fol
lowers, all supposed to be Democrats, and
itself exercising power and influence by vir-
tue of Democratic votes, stands faltering
and undetermined. Will these officers by
lukewarmness and indifference, il not by
actual hostility and a bolt, so far embarrass
the course OF the whole New York Democ-
rscy that Republican victory, to the al
most irreparable injury of future Demo
cratic prospects, will be the RESULT
In Nebraska the issue involved in the
fight is comparatively unimportant-the
Governorship in a State hitherto Repub-
lcan, and a Senator to succeed Brother
MANDERsoN. Republican. 1t is not to be
supposed .hat, in any event. Democrat
will succeed HENDERSON. A Republican
defeat would mean only the election OF a
Populst colleague to Senator ALLEN.
How different is the situation in New
York! Here the whole future course Of the
Democracy in its most important strong
hold is involved in the triumph of the
Democratic State ticket, for defeat carries
with it Republican apportionment of the |
State for twenty years to come, and Repub- |
lican control of the Legislature. a clean |
and an enduring sweep.
Whatever the CLEVELAND Administra-
ton, through the Federal officeholders, may |
do or refrain from doing in Nebraska, its |
duty TO the Democrats Of New York, in this |
grave and momentous political crisis, is
positive and unavoidable. IL must put its
shoulder to the wheel and help save the day |
for Democratic principles.