New-York tribune., 1894-10-30

ruRoW-THE FIGHT AND THE CANDI-
DATES IN THE CITY AND CONGRESS
AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS.
,,roy STAFF corrrs?Oxprvr or THr TRIBUNE
EuNalo oct 2o-Erie County. in spite Of its size
Us population and its unchalenged industrial and
commercial supremacy. has, curiously enough
played for many years a peculiarly neutral and
negative role in the politics Of this part of New
York Though apparently allied b. all the ties Of
natural interest with the stalwart Republican con-
stjtuencies which hem 1t in against the Canadian
border its political associations with its neghbos
seem usually 20 have been neither intimate nor
depp-rooted. and il has never asserted nor estab-
ushed among them that political leadership to which
IFS own superiority IN numbers and delegate
representation would reasonably entltle it. The
chief bar TO The exert!On Of this natural influence
IS undoubtedly found IN a certain lack OF sympa-
tiny between the voting populations of this and
the surrounding counties. Buffalo. with its enor-
nous foreiGn-Norn and non -English-speaking citi-
,enshp. inevitably reflects in its political life much
that is of touch with the intensely native feel
trc Of the rest Of Western New-York; and this
unavoidable rift in sentiment has been more ana
,nov accentuated ny the excessive growth here in
recent years OF the newly naturaized and still only
rartialy assimated political element. Held thus
aloof in a measure from its northern, eastern and
southern neshbors. Erie County has drifted along
somewhat almlessy. without forming close ponuca
companionships: and its increasing ISOLATION as well
ss the inherent unsteadness of its vote and its
proneness to subordinate general to local political
issues. has in the last decade caused IL TO take
place quite apart among the remarkably stanch
and constant Republican constituencies at this end
Of the State.
In Presidential elections this county has taken. as
a rule. rather cooress and neutral part Mr.
Blaine carried 1t in 1884 by a small margin over
Mr. Cleveland in spite Of the latters personal
strength and large acquaintance here. Again in
1885 General Harrlsons candidacy brought out a
somewhat increased Republican majority; while two
wears ago. his third trial. Mr. Cleveland sue
ceeicd carrying the county by less than 100 votes
This moderate degree Of stability National issues
Is offset by record Of unusual fluctuations In state
and local canvasses. in which the fortunes OF pol
tiles have varied amazingly. according TO the ca
prices and prejudices the personal. social and rad
teal interests OF the various classes and national
tiles which divide the suffrage here.
Even in elections for Governor personal ana
local influences have easily overcome party obliga-
tons and party ties Thus. In lssS. on the high-
license issue Governor Hill carried the county over
Warner Miller by decisive plurality. the purely
personal and adventitious character ot his triumph
being emphasized by the defeat on the same day
OF the Cleveland electoral ticket Mr.. Cleveland
being himself at that time. before any non-resl-
dence scruples his part had developed, still a
citizen and voter here. The results OF Congress
often turned on obscure and hidden local init
rnacies and antagonisms: and for the last three
years at least practically every candidacy before
the people has been made the direct means OF test
ing the vulnerabty or invulnerabilty o. Lieuten-
ant Governor William C. Sheehan's once Immensely
formidable but now battered ana crippled locdl
Democratic machine
To understand at all the political situation in this
city and county brief glance is necessary at the
history both of the sheehan machine and OF the
popular movement which now threatens Its com
plete ard violent destruction. Going to Albany
about ten years ago obscure and mex
percrced member of the lower branch OF the
Legislature this raw and youthful but extremely
energetic and ambitious politician promptly at
tractod the favorable notice Of the managers OF
the Democratic State machine then beginning 10
be consolidated in the hands OF Edward Murphy
and David g. Hill Mr.. Hills first election as Gov
ernor in 1885 marks the beginning of Mr. Sheehan $
apid rise power the representative IN the
new Democratic organization OF the whole west
ern section OF the State. Through the aid o. his
patrons at the head OF the State machine he was
speedily promoted the leadership OF the Demo
cratic minority in the Assembly, then shifted TO
the Senate where he exercised a similar partisan
authority, and finally. three years ago, having
been put rather unwillinsy on the ticket with
Flower elevated TO the Lieutenant Goyernorshp'
Early in Governor Hilrs first term the task vas
iruustei 10 MIR. Shechan OF building UP ~ Bunaio
a local adjunct 10 the central State machine pat
ternei on the odcr and more powerful mocha nisms
controlled IN Cnenung ooun'y by MI mn nm, nm
self in Rensselaer, by Mr Murphy in BTooklyn
by Hugh Mclaughlin and in New-1o ork by Richarn
Croker. Through these five local organiza ions the
central regency at Albany had already usurped an
absolute H., IN rhe cG"s S sf boggh they
saw close ahead OF them similar domination IN
s6ipation 9a somewhat deferred Out realized at las,
by virtue of Judge Maynsrds crime In lss, Aided
by the liberal OF State patronage ana by the
Introduction Of the nigh license issue mo the Sta r.
campaigns from 1856 10 1883 Nj Sheehan iouhd ms
do
personal following. which was promptly soidlhel
him in the Legislature al Albany. in The party
caucuses and conventions, or IN state local ana
From lsS to iss. the Sheehan machine grew
steadily i'm power and influence stamping out run
tanning and increasing its ascen1ency IN the dele-
cations sent from the county to the LEGISLATURE al
Albany In 1872 notwithstanding Nj Sheehdn
violent personal hostility TO Mi. Cleveland the ma
chine hore carried the county for the Democratic
electoral ticket-th first victory OF ms sort loi d
generat.on-and under the new legislative, aP-
portonment returned to Albany hye out OI sN
nnprecedented successes. Mr Sheehan began eN-
hblt in local affairs some OF tne auadfS 1mu
gance which he had seen 70 unTeDiked ID the ~ ~
ringridden cities HIS brutal Suppression oi tIit
faction, and mutterings Of discomfort began 70 De
heard al the lrusque and dicator!al methods "hch
had been more and more openly adopted III his
management Of local politics. ..,..
Of me rier Dsriy bosses Nr shceh4n had
duced and passed at Albany his "sn"ak legislation
large his own political powers by securing import
AMI alterations IN the Buffalo charter during the
closing session OF a demoralzed and .natientlyc
legislature is brief and simp:c on measuiei ne ne
dog-catcners bill. harmless In lsef, Greater bN
means Of a legislative tailpece ne" ana ,ucrauN"
municipal office for the benefit Of on Of ar Snee
hans political family second arDtrirlIy uanS
ferred the mower 10 appoint the Police COnlniS =
sloners OF this city from the Mayor "a ,lcV":ahb
Democrat TO the Controller. q creatur" OF the She'-
han machine Mr. Sheehan thus practicaly confess
ing his purpose TO employ the police toice i9i pfi
sOnal and partisan ends. Tine people OF Bunalo
no, sufficiently hardened 10 municipal abuser
10 tolerate this nagrant and dangerous fg dlloh 81
the city charter I'm interest or Mt -h'"lah :
political aggrand zcments. A popular ictoiti; ~ =,
which the Cevcl, nd faction Of IN" Democracy Joleo
actively with the Repubcans. WAS l'Ih.o eed ~,
answer to the sneak legislation OF May 1873 NE