Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-21
NEW YORK POLITICS.
The Situation in That State Since Flower Re-
signed.

among the Democratic forces in this state.
Among the rank and file the impression pre-
walls that it might be just as well to let the
election 20 by default but the leaders are
leaders are not so inclined. They are play
ing deep game of politics and are follow
ing out the plan outlined in the Mail and
Express some months ago.
That plan was exposed by a gentleman
who partic pated in number of confer
ences held in Washington and Albany in
which representatives of both the adminls-
tration and state machine PARTICIPATED. The
decision reached ny the cOnferees was that
an administration man should make the
race for Governor. The nomination was
offered to William c. Whitney, ex-secre-
tary of the navy, but Mr.. Whitney, who is
one of the shreR dest politicians in the coun-
try, declined.
II was apparent to him that the Demo
cratic party was doomed to ignominious
defeat this fall and that it would ruin him
politically to be carried down in the wreck
In order to keep ont of the fight Mr.. Whit
ney wen. to Europe, and according to the
statements of his friends he will not return
until next month.
few weeks ago it was reported that Mr..
Whitney had been seen in London and
pressed anew to accept the nomination. 1t
was reported that he hsd partially con-
scented, the stipulation being that he would
sacrifice himself, providing the state ma
chine consented to deliver to him the votes
of New York's delegation to the next Dem
ocratic national convention. He did not
demand that the votes be cast for him, but
insisted that they should vote as he re-
quested.
Gov. Flower had no part in these confer
ences. He was ignored by the machine.
In all things he bad done just as Senators
Hill and Murphy demanded. He had
signed all of the infamous bills forced
through the Legislature by Lieut. Gov.
Sheehan in the effort to build up machine
in Erie county.
He had done everything possible to aid
Senator Murphy, and had even gone so far
as to affront a delegation of prominent citi-
zens of Troy who had called upon him to
urge that he take action looking to the puri-
fcation of the elections in that unfortunate
city.
But with all his subserviency to the
machine, the Governor could not keep the
confidence of the machine leaders, and
when they began to arrange their plans III
was kept in the background. During thu
summer, when conferences were held at
Saratoga he was not invited, and when h.
went up to the springs without an invita-
ton the conferences ceased, and for the
period of bis stay politics had no place III
the conversation of the bosses.
The Governor, meanwhile, kept up COM
munication with his friends all over the
state lie was the only Gubernatorial can
didate in sight. TO all questions as to
hn, bo JnI 70 lya bo
he invariably replied that after he had sufli-
GENTLY surveyed the situation he would
announce his intentions.
Gov. Flower has been making speeches
at county fairs for some time past. He has
talked with leading Democrats from nearly
every county in the state. lie had talk
with Senator Hill, and Immediately there
after he announced that he would not
accept a denomination.
Those who know the Governor best, say
that Senator Hill could not Influence him in
the matter. They claim that having become
convinced that he could not possibly be
elected, he had declared himself out. In
that declaration Mrs. Flowers judgment
played an important part. She is very
observant woman, and the Governor on
more than one occasion has deferred to her
OPTIONS in political affairs.
1t was reported from Albany, several
days ago, that ut the proper time, if Mrs.
Flower was convinced that there was no
chance of the Governors reelection, he
would accept her judgment as final, and
formally withdraw from the canvass.
With those who cannot see how an ad-
ministratiOn candidate would be the logical
outcome of the present deplorable condl-
ton of the Democratic party in this state,
the impression prevails that all that can be
done is for Senator Hill to take the nomi-
nation. Months ago, it was reported, upon
the authority of n prominent Democrat in
this city, that Senator Hill seriously con-
temp aed running for Governor this fall.
At that time he was 10 the midst of mis- fight
against the administration on the tariff bill
and the income tax.
1t was said that he WINS satisfied that the
bill would cause the overwhelming defeat
of the party in every Northern state, and
that If he could save New York from the
wreck, he would loom up as the only posi-
BILE eau lidate for the Presidency in 1896.
There was undoubtedly deal of truth in
the story at that time, but the conditions
have since become so aggfieved that Sena.
tor Hill, today, can see no chance of his
election. Editor Loadwick, of the Amster-
dam Sentinel, called upon him at his office
in Albany, and urged him to take the nomi,
natl IN.
But Senator Hill refused to consider the
matter. lie informed Mr.. Loadwick that
under no circumstances could he take the
nomination,
Within the next few days it is likely thai
extraordinary pressure will be brought to
bear upon the Senior Senator to induce him
to make the run. The machine will appeal
to him to save the patty, and it may be that
he will set aside his judgment and consent
10 take the nomination.
A more reasonable view to take of the
situation is that the Democratic gdbernator-
ial nomination will be given to al admins
tta.,ou man. Congressman Daniel n.
Lockwood of Buffalo, seems to fill all the
requirements of the occasion.
While he is recognized as friend and
supporter of Cleveland he has never openly
antagt nized the machine. The machine
controlled the last Democratic state conv'n-
ton, but nevertheless Congressman Loak'
was the presiding officer.
He is supported by the Sheehan crowd in
Buffalo, and from the teno: of the dis
..n@ab,. Sr1,, J;ff.rapt parts Of he