The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-02
PRIMARIES In BROOKLYN.
1r,IAUa HIN RETAINS ms STRONG
HOLD ON THE ORGANIZATION.

Ne Evidence That Has Weakened
It-Ciancy Ahead In the Second District-
Ridgway's Appearance In tho Fourth-Dis.
eruntiea Democratic Lese In the Eisventh.
Democratic primary elections for tho choice Of
officers of the 5l6 election district associations
and Of two delegates from each of the Assembly
committees were held in Brooklyn last night
Until about a year ago each Of the thirty-two
wards had a Democratic chief. but tho party is
now virtually organized on the Assembly dis
trict lines and the subordinate leaders have con-
sequontly been reduced to twenty.one. While
Hugh Mclaughlin has held supreme sway
over the Democratic forces, IL has always
been his custom to associate the district leaders
closely In the management, and for the most
part to defer to their wishes in making nominal
tions and distributing the official plunls. With
the accomplishment OF consolidation and the
consequent establishment Of closer relations
between Tammany Hall and tho Brooklyn
Democracy, Mr.. Mclaughlin has been con-
fronted with some problems which have not
hitherto disturbed his long period of political
leadership.
In the dealing out of tho official prizes in the
Greater New York which were assigned to
Brooklyn. Mr.. Mclaughlin it Is we'll known.
had to consult the wishes and preferences OF the
Tammany maRnatos. and the result was that at
one time there was danger OF serious friction
between him and Mr.. Croker. Tho veteran
Brooklyn leader had two or three conferences
with the Tammany Hall chieftain before his
departure for Florida last week. and It is under
stood that they reached q harmonious settlement
Of whatever differences had arisen between the
two organizations. That there is still. how.
ever. a restless feeling among Mr.. McLaughlin's
forces resulting from contact with Tammany
Hall was shown at the primaries last night. In
no less than eight Of the twenty-one Assembly
districts there were bitter contests for control,
and while in most Of these the struggles were
based on personal rivalries. there was a gener-
ally recognized hostility to the outcome of tho
patronage negotiations. SO far as they have pro-
eeeded, with Tammany Hall.
In the Second Assembly district the fight Is
between ex-Congressman Clancy and Council.
man Comfy. Each of them has been pronounced
in his allegiance to, the Willoughby street
ton from Mr. Mclaughlin. The opposing clans
were out In full force last night, and there
seemed to be as much interest in the result as If
a general election was in progress. 1t was nip
and tuck in q few of the election district scrini.
images, but Clancy carried a large majority Of
Of the, Assembly Committee.
In the Fourth Assembly district former Dis
front in the novel role of an opponent of tho
present mspagGment Of the organization. as
recognized leader. A few years ago Mr.. Ridg-
way was, the favoritc son in this district, but
MS popularity seeUlS 10 nave ueCllneQ since ne
broke with Mr.. Mclaughlin. for he failed to
make any, serious impression on the machine
c dSSess, ans vii Miii n mot be Rr tH rsedr un TO ah he G @aRes
his peace with WillouGhby street;
tanned his hold after q hard tussle with eX-Al-
derman Beard.
In the Eighth Assembly district, comprising
the rock-bound Democratic Tenth ward and a
small slice of the Twelfth. the conflict was be-
tween J. Morrissey Gray. the uncle OF Council
disgust from political warfare. and the Willard
legions. who were long in revolt against the
last night as in tho McGarry and anti
M tcGns5o d days. r. :; and nd several f inripiGnt riots " were
was Ssasp only o. one e' arrest. the prisonoPP 0i being john
Boylan. who. as alleged. tried to vote in the Ninth
district Of the Tenth ward under the name Of
Bishop. The returns had not all been filed with
doubt, that Gray scored n substantial victory.
appointment as Fire Marshal after his break
The Contest in the Eleventh Assembly district
between former Assemblyman Byrnes and Dep.
probably tho most interest. as Mr.. ,Byrnes
let it be distinetiy understood that he was
agemept. ana from the fact that II was
generally supposed that Police Commission.
s Sf f is sSs as Ii H Shtle MIS- Mr. York e1!sed him m'th
declared. that he was not directly interested on
e1c sid iss or W the O,hSF; As ,ss in the fne.I preceding ,rIdmgs dis
twenty. six election districts.
The fight in the Thirteenth district resulted
In placing Deputy Commissioner of Sewers
Brennan in control.
In the Sixteenth Assembly district Coroner
Burger retained his leadership in spite of a stiff
fight put up by George GlendenninR.
Tho anticipated clash in the Eighteenth dis
trict between the Hesterberg and Nc
Gamma forces did not come off, peace having
been declared a few hours before the opening OF
the polls. 1t was arranged that the honors
would be equally divided between the two fac
tions, and this is regarded by Mr.. Hesterberg's
friends nS n substantial victory
Now that the primaries are over. the Patron;
age will at once resume its work and
arrange the slate for the 200 or more minor
borough appointments which are to be distrib-
utcd. Only the ~victors, 1t is understood, are to
be rewarded.
The general result OF the primaries shows that
Mr.. Mclaughlin still holds unquestioned sway
over the organization. and that he will be able
to send a solid delegation, pledged to carry out
his wishes. to the State Convention. For the
present, and probably for some time to come.
II is not likely that Tammany Hall, even If it
felt so disposed, could disturb his firm grip on
the Democratic machine in Kings county.
THREE REPUBLICANS DESERT.