New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-13
THE GUBERN4TORIAL NTCA7ION.

THE GTBERN4TORTAL SITUATION.
The existing phases Of the political situation
IN so far rs the nominations for Governor ID!
hoth nartics are concerned afford the best pos
sihlo Indication of the present outlook Tor 'ach'
~ oll onncoronces the Democratic nomination
,oos herping. and Governor Flower VIII do"o''
loss take il by default On the other hand, inc
woods are full Of candidates for the RepuDiic'h
nomination. and the competition between the
v,rious localities in behalf Of favor1tcS IS SO
o,,n..t and eager that no one Of them can be
,r,,v said to have a positive lead over The resi-.
,rhor, is no misunderstanding this situation. II
means Republican confidence of the hlGheS'
order and Democratic dependency and depres-
sion Of corresponding depth. Nor does Inc
multitude Of asplrantS for the Republican nom
nation afford much encouragement 10 Demo
cr,ts through the possibility OF fractional or per
sonol differences being engendered TO an extent
sufficient to divide or weaken the party lc' II
is apparcnt that upon this shadowy poSslbh'!
the Democratic leaders do hang 4 tori"rn anu
melancholy hope. For they see very e'''''H
that nothing but Republican Dluhuer ca" saw
Them from overwhelming defeat. such pi''i'
der is possible. but hardly probable ohc 'h'ils
is ou. certain: that Republican success VIII
not be endangered by the nomination OF any
one Of the gentlemen who have been maine" III
vorious localities for Governor on account I'll
any ucrsonal objections 10 the candidate Every
one of them stands we'll with the party ana me
nqople II is to be- considered. however '"'' '"''
circumstances attending the nomination may w
n much more potent factor in affecting 'h' hp'i
result than the personal worth or popularity "'
,be candidate. Failure 10 take these INTO a'-
count would be unwise.
Twelve wears ago this month the Republican
State Convention was held AT Saratoga uhd'r
conditions not dissimilar from the present. III"
Democrats were divided then a. now. four dis
tinct factions from this city being represented
and claiming recognition at the state CohN'h
tion held thr same week AT Syracuse. The Re
,u,licons werc In possession Of the Legislature
and State offices and had carried the State the
preceding wear by about 1900 votes. Ih'F
were confident Of victory. In the newspaper
discussions preliminary 10 the convention seVerai
candidates had been brought forward from III
fcrent parts Of the State. against none or WHOM
could any objection BE- raised on the ground Oh
lack Of personal popularity or other quaiinca-
lions. Among them We're A. h. Cornell 'heh
Governor: Judge Charles j. Folger then Secre-
tarv Of the Treasury: James w NadsWor'h'
John C. Robinson and John H. Starn cacii WIN
an enthusiastic following OF d"v"ieh IrlehdS.
Judge Folger's name had been brought forward
very early in the preliminary canvass through
the press He was understood 10 be- the can
didatc OF the Administration. and was supported
bv the leaders in control Of the party machine,
who had with characteristic diligence ana zeal
made a thorough and effective canvass III us
behalf throughout the State. The leader OF
Judge Folgcr's supporters IN the convention was
OK Senator Thomas &. Plat. a politician OF m'lcli
shrcwdncss and tact and unwcarying activity
Associated with him and in frequent cons,il'a
tjon on the floor were Colonel George bliss ana
General George H. Sharpe. With admirable
skill they conducted the campaign In behalf oil
thcir candidate against the field 10 final sue
coss-in ,bc convention Judge Folgcr was nom
mated There was the natural feeling Of ella
tjon on the part Of those who had brought II
ohnut and no manifestation Of unusual dissatis
foction on the part Of the friends Of defeated
candidates.
Rut six weeks later. when the votes Were
counted it appeared that the people by ma
iority Of nearly 100000 votes disapproved the
action of the convention. And Ncw-York has
not had Republican Governor since Why WAS
tbis9 Not on account Of anything in .Iudg,
Folger's character or his long political career
He enjoyed the confidence of his party. had been
! less identified with factions. less enianglcd in
intestine q,larrels in the party than almost any
other Republican Of prominence In the state
He had discharged with eminent ability some OF
the most responsible official functions Of The
! State and Nation. Popular with his party and
the people. he enjoyed the devoted attachment
Of hosts Of personal friends. And yet he was
defeated by u Democrat then almost wholly I'M
! known and by a majority without precedent OIL
paralle in the history Of elections In this State
II was the cruecst blow ever inflicted on 4
tried and faithful public servant. There was al
explanation Of 1t. not far To seek but when his
| friends and kindly disposed opponents assured
! him that the significance OF the result was moi
personal TO himself. but solely in the popular
condemnation Of the methods by which his nom
| nation was effected. he was unable to derive
consolation from IT, The modification OF hk
defeat weighed upon his spirits and undoubtedly
FASTENED his death.
The experience Of 1882 should not he forgot
ten 1t seems timely to recall 1t now, wher
all the conditions are so full Of promise for Re
publican success The lesson Of that year was
that the Republican voters Of the State were
extremely sensitive TO anything having the ap
pearance Of dlctation from party leaders or ma
chine manipulation in packing a convention
That sensitveness has not only continued. bu
grown and increased until now; and the events
OF the last year have greatly strengthened II
1t would be great mistake to overlook or IN
derestmate II. The coming State Convention
must be Of and from the people and express un