New-York tribune., 1895-12-23
BELDEN AGAIN IN THE SADDLE.


About thee thousand years ago wise old
Cree, told the world that one Of Natures stern
laws was revolution He might have added that
1t is also a welestablished statute in the do
main Of politics. The ups and the downs in this
irving but attractive field of human endeavor
are past all comprehension. The unexpected Is
always happening, and in no State do illnstrl-
tions Of this more abound than in New-iork.
II is full of them. A year ag0-tO take an eX-
annie right at hand from Onondaga County
lanes J. Belden and his followers were pro-
nounced cipher in Syracuse politics. They had
been denied recognition and practically thrown
out OF the Republican organization. The party
machinery passed entirely into the hands OF
Messrs. Hendricks and Iliscock. who freely pre-
dicted the total extinction OF the Belden people.
There was substantial basis for the prediction
The outlook for Belden was certainly dark. while
Hendricks position seemed mprcgnable.
But see how the situation has changed. Despite
all tbc advantages of an amended city charter.
Hendricks's candidate for Mayor was beaten
rot only by the Democratic candidate. but by
the Bclden nominee He came ont third in the
race. and now. instead OF having the city omces
at their disposal, the Hendricks crowd Is en-
tirely dependent upon the meagre patronage
that the State canals afford. Belden is inside,
so far as the Syracuse government Is concerned
Whatever patronage the Democratic Mayor mas
TO bestow upon the Republican party VIII go
70 the Belden contingent The effect of this Is
already apparent.
Every clear-headed politician must admit That
the ex-Congressman has displayed remarkable
shrcwdness in his fight against Hendricks and
the State machine, for, of course, WITHOUT flatt
aid Hendricks could never have accomplished
what he did in Syracuse 1t is less than TWO
years ago since Belden was defeated at the
polls in his Mayoralty fight Later on he was
shorn Of his power in the party councils. lie
took his defeat quietly but he lost no time in
setting TO work to retrieve his fallen fortunes.
As nearly all the local newspapers were in the
hands Of the Hendricks people, he established
one of his own--"The Post-and he made Il a
mower. He did so by making it one Of the best
newspapers in the State. 1t was edited with
great care and ability Reform was its watch
word He declared war on the Hendricks NIL
nicipal administration. and made things so hot
that the Legislature was compelled to send
committee to investigate Syracuse. The Hen
bricks people fooshly opposed this investga-
ton and succeeded in getting Platt to call II OIL
The effect was much worse than any innings
of the committee would probably have been.
People were sure that something was wrong. or
an effort would not have been made to cover
il I'D. Having put his adversares on the de-
fcnsive. Belden was able TO carry on his cam
paign more advantageously. The Independent
Republican ticket against the Republican ring
was justified BY many people who were not
particularly friendly. and the election OF Demo
crat. which otherwise would have been unforhi-
nate for him, was accepted by large number
of Republicans with considerable satisfaction
Altogether the ex- Congressman has come ont
Of the fight in fairly good shape, and demon
strated anew his resourcefulness and lighting
qualities. He proposes to go as Il delegate to
ST. Louis OF course the Hendricks people viii
oppose him. but the chances are that he will he
among New-York's delegates in the National
Convention