The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-09
A Phenomenon Explained.

Tics OF late. Inc pubic meetings nelu In
Tammany Hall, long the rallying point Of
the local Democracy, have been poorly at
tended. Instead of a large, enthusiastic,
and hearty crowd, overlooking the historic
meeting places of the Tammany men, EN-.
couraging with plaudlts the favorite ora.
tors of that organization, and cordially
enlisted in its battles for political su-
premacy, there has been. Of late, only a
meagre, unresponsive, apathetic, and Joy
less assemblage, restless, impatient, and
totally lacking In vigor and confidence.
This was particularly noticeable at the last
monthly meeting of the Tammany Hall e
eral Committee. OF Friday night last.
Tammany Hall is a great political gan
~ization. It's discipline is excellent, its d.
vision of party labors and responsible
ties equitable and judicious, Its cohesion
greater than that of any other political
organization which now exists. or has
ever existed, in New York; yet never yet,
since 1870, has there been such lethargy,
Indifference and discomfort, not to say open
characterization, as is now the case.
What Is the reason of thisl To what
should 1t be ascribed3 The approach of an
important political election, the first unde
the new charter Of the Greater New York,
might reasonably be expected to have a
stimulating effect upon the political &C.
tivity of the braves of the wigwam. Yet
many Of them sulk and many more remain
away from the camp fire, Indifferent, ap-
parently, to what happens.
For this peculiar and unusual condition
various reasons are assigned. Some
persons say that by committing itself
to the support of Organism, Tammany
parted company with its most substantial
and responsible supporters, men of brains
and substance, men who guided the organ
ization along the lines Of prudent pol
icy in the past, and were the link of
connection between the political organ
ization of Tammany and the conserv-
alive forces which. OIL the Democratic
side. at least, have usually been arrayed
on the side of Tammany in opposition
to pernicious and sinister policies Of
riot, reputation, and lawlessness. Others
claim that the newcomers into the Tam
many fold, the Populists, the anti-monopoly
shouters, the industrial, though not ndus.
trious, m~alcontents, the enemies of order
and the foes of American Democracy, who
have forced their way into the front seats
of the wigwam, have brought with them no
followers, and are, in fact, not recruits but
disturbers, costing Tammany more in votes
and influence han any benefit which they
could bring to it. Both reasons are plausible,
but perhaps neither one is quite correct.
Despite the detection of the veritable Dem.
ocrats, Tammany polled last year In this
city 1875 900 votes, and the harm done to
it by the obstreperous newcomers was done
in November last.
The real reason of the lukewarmness and
Indifference of the rank and file of Tam
many, the abstention of 80 many members
from its meetings, the lack of enthusiasm,
confidence and heartiness shown at these,
is due solely to the fact that the men who
are accustomed to follow are disheartened
by the wavering of those at their head. One
day these " leaders" are for BRYAN and the
Chicago platform the next day they are for
local issues only and the exclusion of ma.
tional issues. One day they are for adjuring
BRYAN not to fail to come here in person to
lead them to victory or defeat, they pro.
fess to care not which the next day they
are for admonishing the Chicago nominee
kindly t. stay away from New York. and
III L III lIhtISlo ~ "hISh lit
has nothing to do.
Whatever else may be said concerning
Tammany Hall, by those who have been Its
antagonists in the past, one thing at least
must be ungrudgingly admitted: Tam,
many's position on all important public
questions has been positive and explicit
Its leader, when it had only one, and it,
leaders since 1t has had several, stood fol
some definite line of policy, right or wrong
with courage to sustain 1t. Tammany ha.
frequently met defeat in support of a prin
ciple, which the voters rejected; but not un
til this year has there been any serious
doubt or question as to whether Tam
many Hall was for or against such an as
sortment of radical and incendiary policie,
as are included in what Is known a
"the Chicago platform"
If the organization came out wholly ant
frankly in favor of BRYAN and Organism
and no quarter for backsliders or seceders
it's big public hall would, no doubt, b
filled up again az of yore with enthusiast
partisans. If Tammany, by a sublime ex
ercise of supreme political courage, recall
ing it's past traditions as a conservative
force in the politics Of the city, Stat
and nation, should %repudiate, disown, an,
disavow the political heresies of Chi
cago, there would be some withdrawal
from its membership, perhaps, but scores @
others would rally to the support of the oil
+ wigwam and revive the spirits Of the faith
full Tamniany men. AS it is, however, tn
: organization Is stalled. Its leaders give N
5 definite indication of where they are at
and the bewildcred followers, many q
them unable to solve the problem, sta
l away from the meetings, while the ban
+ plays on, and the first election in the Create
| New York Is less han Ave months Off.
The Three Friends.