The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-08-12

leading candidates for Mayor involves
greater difficulties than have ever be.
fore confronted political leaders. The
immense Independent vote in the city
is sufficient of itself to turn the tide
either way. This vote is reinforced
by public press which has no equal
in the world, and this is exercising it's
influence upon the greatest reading
public in the world twice in every
twentyfour hours. With this press
reasonably we'll united the result could
be foretold in advance as it was in
1894. But the press is not yet united
and possibly will not be. Many of the
papers are controlled by moned syn
dicates which have certain purposes to
accomplish, and certain contracts
which they seek to obtain from the
administration that will come into
power next January. These papers.
conducted with such skill and ability
as to conceal from the public view the
real motives which lie behind their
action, and appealing to the electorate
for verdict which they allege is vital
to its highest interests, will yield enor.
nous influence, and perhaps exercise
a dominating control.
Party organizations are, it is true,
somewhat demoralized. The Republi.
can by its astounding victory Of last
year, and the Democrats by their over.
whelming defeat. Both are strength.
ening their lines and doing what they
can to gain their old time organiza-
tion control of the voters. The for
mer are handicapped by the revolt Of
great many who supported Mayor
Strong three years ago, who object tO
Senator Blatt's control in the party.
The organization Republicans OBJ
jects to the Independent or Mugwump
influence in the city's affairs and thus
Mr.. Platt and his advisers are between
two fires of increasing intensity The
situation in the opposing camp Is lit
tie Inherent so far as united and cohe-
sive action gives promise. The cam
pagn of last year drove all the wealthy
men out of Tammany Hall, and If they
go back they will be required to serve
reasonable probation. But proba-
tion is not what these men now seek,
but control. Under these circumstance
es the inter-party strife wakes hot and
degree of certainty who the Democrats
or the Republicans, or even the Inde-
pendents will nominate, can establish
an immediate reputation as q prophet.
few weeks ago the nomination of
President Low appeared TO be ineyi-
table. He is probably still the most
likely to be named, but events are hap
pening which reveal the uncertainties
OF the situation. Brooklyn would prob
ably give him an enormous vote and
the high-class vote of the Burrough of
Manhattan would be for him, with
its influence and it's money. The reg
ular Republicans want a man who is
more extreme partisan, but prefer
Low to defeat with another.
There are those who believe that the
resignation of Col. Grant may lead
to his nomination. He is enough of a
partisan to suit the politicians, and
his hold upon the wealthy and aristo-
cratic voters will prove very strong
If it is exercised to its fullest capacity.
There is general belief that the stand
he has now taken will serve to greatly
popularize his canvass, and prevent the
opposition from rallying as they cer-
tainly would in considerable force
against some other candidates.
Col. Grant did not prove so formid-
able candidate as his friends expect
ed when he ran for Secretary of State
ten years ago, but that was in an era
of Democratic victory which no one
could have checked by his own person.
ality. If Col. Grant is passed by, there
are many who think that Mr.. Depew
can be induced to try for the prize.
Mis- candidacy would certainly lift
the campaign out of the ruts in which
1t is accustomed to run, and give a
vigor and aggressiveness hitherto un-
known. Many believe that he could
be elected, and that his administration
of the great Office under the new con-
ditions which will surround it, would
be brilliant page upon the history of
the metropolis.
Democrats of the Whitney-Sheehan
Flower combine fiatter themselves that
they can control the organization, not
withstanding their bolt of years ago.
The Bryan supporters deny this, and
have organized within the Democratic
party what Is known as the League of
Loyal Democrats. This organization
already embraces a membership ten
times as large as the entire gold vote
polled in the State last year. and it's
members will bolt and run other can
didates unless the Chicago platform IS
adhered to In the local conventions.