Evening star., 1895-06-20
Trying to Unite the New York State
Democracy.
TAMMANY'S COMING OPPORTUNITY
A Fourth Of July Letter From
Cleveland Expected.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY

There is perceptible stir in the ranks
of the New York democracy. Senator Hill
is talking harmony in an earnest and per-
suasve way and his liettenants under his
direction are sounding sentiment here and
there to the best means of bringing
harmony about There are some grave
difficulties in the path. The retirement of
Mr.. Grace from tine leadership of the fac
ton opposed to Tammany Hall has failed
to produce the unifying effect desired and
predicted. MI. Fairchild has stepped INTO
the place, and he has heretofore shown
little sympathy with Tammany ever
Mr.. Grace did. 1t is still necessary, there
fore. to move slowly and cautiously in
attempting to adjust the differences that
have lcng existed between Tammany and
the state democracy.
The Coming Opportunity.
But Mr.. Hill thinks that those differences
can be adjusted and his present efforts to
that end may shortly be assisted by Mr..
Cleveland. The opportunity will come on
the Fourth of July. Tammany Hall always
celebrates that day with big meeting and
salvos of popular oratory. Long talks and
short talks are provided for, and big party
chiefs from every section of the country
are invited. An extra effort, it is under
stood. will be made this year in order that
prising nature of its power of recuperation.
1t wants the country to believe that despite
the awful licking 1t got last November it is
still in condition and prepared to put up a
winning fight this coming November. Mr..
Cleveland will, of course, head the list of
those invited, and the expectation is that
he will improve the occasion to write more
than a formal note of acknowledgment
and regret. The hope is, indeed, that he
will say a good word for party harmony in
the state and thus assist those busy with
the task of pulling the party together
against the common enemy. If such a let
ter should be read at the meeting Tam
many. it Is said, would take fresh courage
from 1t and prepare at once for a campaign
OF spirit and confidence.
Program May Fail.
This whole program, however, is based
upon the assumption that New York city
has already tired of the reform move
ment that sent Tammany to grass. Mayor
Strong has had a rocky road to travel.
Many of those who helped to put him into
office have since changed and now
either openly hostile to him or Indifferent
to him. How far this feeling extends is a
mere matter of speculation. But Tam
many is persuaded that 1t extends very
far; that the people of the city have re-
pented of the movement. and will turn
again at the next election to the old party.
chastened and instructed by. the recent
visitation of their wrath. At any rate,
Tammany is very active these days, put
ting It's establishment to rights, removing
the scars and stains of former scraps and
controversies, and smoothing up especially
for this July meeting. The long takers
and the short takers will be carefully
selected, and their fuIminations, supported
by letters from other men of note, are
expected to give Tammany and the democ-
racy throughout the state as we'll a de-
cided boost.
MIR. Hills Double Play.
Mr.. Hill, for his part in this business, Is
accused of having double play in mind.
A reunited New York democracy. owing its
rehabilitation largely to his efforts, might.
If triumphant, mean two things to him. 1t
might make his return to the Senate GER
tain, and it might insure him the support
of the state in the next democratic national
convention. And therein may lie serious
trouble in carrying out the program How
enthusiastically may Smith NJ. Weed be ex-
pected to work for the return of Mr.. Hill
to the Senate? And how enthusiastically
may MIR. Cleveland and Mr.. Whitney and
Mr.. Fairchld be expected to forward a
movement possessing the possibility, If not
the design of making Mr.. Hill the next
democratic candidate for the presidency.