New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-15
THE FIGHT IN THE XXvIIrfH.
BRISK CONTEST TO RETIRE HARVEY J..
DONALDSON.
HIS RECORD IN THE SCHOOL OF SELFISH AND
PERSONAL POLlTICS-HoPEFUL PROS
PEcTs FOR HIS RETIREMENT

fvRoM A sTArv CORRESPONDENT TIE TRrBUNE.l
Saratoga, July 12-something has been said
in an earlier letter about the general conditions
under which the very brisk and energetic con-
test now in progress for the Republican nomna-
ton In this Senate District. the new XXvIIIth
Is being carried on. Undoubtedly the Issue Is
a trife more vague here than In some others OF
the ten or a dozen Senate districts In which an
aroused Republican sentiment Is battling
against the denomination OF unworthy candi-
dates. In the Oneida district. for instance,
where somewhat similar conditions exist MT.
Coggeshalrs defiant canvass for renomination
is weighted down not only by long record OF
subserviency to all the demoralizing influences
against which party feeling Is now Unnamed.
| but by the additional odium Of treacherous
opposition to party legislation at Albany
In the Canandaigua district and along the
Southern Tier other conspicuous agents In the
Plat machines fight of last winter against re-
form legislation, find the direct issue raised
against them of sacrificing party principles and
party welfare to the personal and private in
terests OF an irresponsible boss" In this dis
trict the rather colorless record Of Harvey j.
Donaldson the present incumbent, and his rela-
tive inconsequence at Albany have somewhat
obscured this ground OF contention. so pro-
nounced and vital in the other constituencies
DEMAND FRIGIDLY NET.
Yet at the bottom the opposition raised to Mr..
Donaldson's denomination has virtually the
same incentive and the same partisan justifica-
ton Having served for three terms at AL
bany as a Senator and two as an Assemblyman,
| and achieved no other reputation than that OF
a willing pupil in the school OF purely selhsh
and personal politics. Mr.. Donaldson's demand
for further political honors has naturally been
met this year with decided frigidity. and the
vigorous rival canvass started by the friends
| Of Edgar T. Bracket, a leading lawyer OF this
village. has forced the Republican voters OF the
county and OF the district to choose between
| returning their present inadequate and unsatis-
factory representative or replacing him with a
successor Of greater ability. more liberal public
spirit and ulster views OF party measures and
party policy.
The new xxvIIIth District. which now prom
ises most hopefully to retire Mr.. Donaldson to
private life. has been constructed Of fragments
OF the old XXth and XXIst districts. and in
| cludes the three counties OF Saratoga, Science
tady and Washington. Geographically II Is
a compact and homogeneous constituency. Its
chief towns lying at convenient distances along
the main line OF the Delaware and Hudson
Canal Companys railroad. The old xxth Dis
| trict which reelected Mr.. Donaldson In 1893.
stretched further west into the Mohawk Valley
and Included, besides Saratoga and Science
| tady the counties Of Montgomery and Herki-
mer.
WHERE THE FIGHT IS HOTTEST.
Saratoga County. the most populous OF the
group has naturally dominated the politics OF
both the old and the new Senate districts. Its
longer association and closer affiliations with
| Schenectady would perhaps. assure Its suprem-
| acy In the XXvIITth District politics for some
| years 10 come. were no serious political up
| heavai TO occur within the borders OF the new
constituency. This expectation. Indeed. Is the
basis OF Mr. Donaldsons canvass FOR renonina-
| TN; for, knowing the sentiment OF Washing
| ton County to be violently hostile 20 his can
! ff.!acy ne has for some time past been devoting
all his efforts 10 capturing the delegations from
Saratoga and Schenectady these two counties
having thirteen delegates between them In the
Senatorial convention. to Washington's eight.
Mr. Donaldson's main fight for denomination
and reelection had. OF course. to be made In this
county for II he loses Saratogas eight delegates
| his chance in the Senate Convention will be al
together hopeless. The primary elections which
are 10 choose delegates to the county convention
| at Ballston will be held on Saturday. July 70
on July 20 the County Convention Will name
Saratoga's eight delegates TO the senatorial
Convention No preliminary canvass for years IN
| this county has equalled In Intensity OF interest,"
the one now being made for the control OF the
ninety delegates who are 10 form the county
Convention. Every town and village Is alive with
The managers on both sides are extremely conh-
dent Of success and full OF partisan energy. Per-
sonal feeling runs high, and the Interest feit
In the contest here has extended to other parts
OF the State, where the success or failure OF MI
Donaldsons canvass will quickly be construed
either as a difficult and costly triumph or DIS
astrous setback for Mr.. Platt's personal ma
chine.
THE OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN
Edgar r. Bracket. OF this village. has already
been mentioned as the spokesman and candidate
Of the opposition which. In the interest OF good
government at Albany and a more liberal policy
In Republican party management has undertaken
to compass Mr. Donaldson's defeat. Mr.. Brack-
EFT is one Of the foremost lawyers Of the county.
a man OF ability probty and stalwart RepuD-
llcanism. who would hty represent the party
here in an enlarged and morally rehaointated
Senate Unlike his competitor. Mr.. Bracket Is
not n professional politician and onice-seeker.
his single previous appearance In politics having
been made a candidate FOR the District-At-
torneyship OF the county years ago In MS pres
ent canvass he has the support OF ex-Representa-
tive George West OF Ballston. ex-Shern w w.
Worden, Of this village, power In local pontcs,
and many other leading Republicans or the
county. His candidacy has behind II. besides tne
weight OF the best Republican sentiment IN the
district. and the practical assurance that VIC
tory on his part In the coming county CohVen-
ton will throw the Senatorial nomination TO
Saratoga without further friction or dispute.
A FIGHT FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE.
Senator Donaldson has beyond question rallied
to the support OF his candidacy many formidable
elements OF partisan and personal strength lie
knows that he Is fighting for his own political hfe
and In the success OF his canvass the fortunes OF
the whole Plat machine in this district are In
directly involved. II his eight years or service
at Albany nave brought little public benefit or
credit to his constituency. they have at least
been turned assduousy to his own private pc.
iitical profit. In the Legislature Mr.. Donaldson
could be counted on to assist In all the personal
and selfish legislative schemes OF Mr.. Platt ana
his lieutenant; and the practical reward OF this
service Is now disclosed In the active support
given him here by the organized following OF the
State Republican machine. The Erie Canai runs
along the southern border OF this county and
thence into Schenectady. and all the canal pat
Ia I'M haon nut HuperlnteQd.