New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-19
mr.. GRACE AND THE MAYORALTY CONTEST


Mayor Strong says that he has no desire to
be his own successor and will not enter the lists
as a candidate for recollection. This statement
taken i'm connection with Mr. Cookers efforts
10 reorganize Tammany. Corporation Counsel
Scotts buglp-call to the scattered remnants or
the Grace Democracy. the realignment OF Mr.
Harvier's anti-Tammany forces and the decara
ton of a number Of the Republican district lead
ers in favor of Congressman Qugg as a Mayor
atty candidate. reminds us that another munic
ipal campaign is fast approaching. and that the
preliminary struggles incidental to it have al
ready begun.
The action of Mr. Grace's followers Is thus
far the mos, significant feature OF the situation
TO that National Democracy conference in the
Hoffman House the other evening. IT will he re-
memhered Mr.. Scott invited Mr. Crmmns. Mr..
Flower Mr. Whitney. Mr.. Belmont and other
leading Democrats who had temporarily severed
their relations with Tammany to support the
cause of sound money. But they did not re-
spond to his invitation. They saw through the
scheme of amalgamation. BY capturing such
conspicuous representatives OF the Wigwam
Mr. Grace would be in fair way To realize the
ambitlon of his life-thp leadership of Tammany.
To this none of these gentlemen were ready to
subscribe Mr. Belmont said so with brutal
fraulness. the others were more reserved. and,
ike the guests to another marriage feast. made
conventional excuses and stayed away. Tam
many and Mr. Grace are still disun!ied in the
bonds Of political ma'rlmoEy
Tammany does not wan, Mr.. Grace now any
more than it has wanted him in the past, be-
cause he lacks not political skill but political
followers His organization. except an imposing
eraf. Is on paper. II is a phantom army that
follows him. the ghosts of other days. This has
been demonstrated conclusvely. II admits OF
IN dispu,e Take the official returns OF the Two
,asr loc,l canyasses: In 1885, MIR. Gracr's friend.
Heating was the candidate for Register lie
WAS supported by the State Democracy. the Re
,,,,Iicons and the German Citizens Organza-
,,,p id lv Field Marshal Sutro and other emf
non, dlsrirlcs of delicatessen reform He re-
cciycA In.S47 votes In the same election the
Kapublican vote for the State ticket was 0'.4'0
Thai is 10 say the State Democracy and the
Germans combined polied exactly S3I1. or a
little over half vote in each election d's'rir'
NJ the city Last fall the state Democracys
strength was revealed in lis vote for Coroner.
= j3O-iust 10000 less voes than were enrolled
hv the McKln.cy League in this county last
spring.
DO such revelations disturb Mr.. Grace: Not
in ,bc least He Is absolutely imperturbable.
Perfectly conscious that he cannot carry
single Assembly district and probably not
single election district In the metropolis he
nevertheless proceeds 10 augment his staff with
every stray element OF Democratic responsibility
that he can find. He failed TO get Mr.. Whit
ney but he does not despair Of Mr.. Cochran.
Mr. Flower and Mr. Crimmins have been TOO
long in practical politics to be caught by his blan-
d,shments. but he will gather Ia some Of the
,rulv Good Government Club young men. so that
by the time the next Committee Of Seventy is
announced he will be prepared to load 1t down
inc, a. he did two yesrs ago, and by doing 20
,o,h down the municipal ticket with his own
,.eutcnnnts Had 1t not been for the revolt
against Tanlmany In consequence Of the dis
closures Of the State Senate Investigating Com
mittce, and the public confidence In William L.