The age-herald., 1898-10-18
VAN WICK IS
 SURE OF ELECTION
From the New York Journal


 "A republican major ty of 100000 above the Harlem river will not defeat the demo- cratic ticket" That was Richard crokers summary of the political situation last night. MT. Croker's well known caution prevents m from making rash or ill-eon- sidered statements He sincerely believes that the democratic ticket will win for 9 two fold reason-hrst. because of the re- publican maladministration of state affa Is; second, because of the contrast ng charac- ters of the two candidates.
 "The democratic vote is going to be very heavy," continued MT. Croker.
 "Evidences accumulate to show that in both Greater New York and the state, indi- cations point to quiet constant drift to- ward the democratic side Nothing can stop this movement. No enthusiasm, hitherto lacking and suddenly developed can arrest ths tide of sentiment, which is urging the people to vote for an honest state government and an exceptional candi- date.
 "In my judgment the democratic ticket will be elected by a plurality of 100000.
 "The rule of common sense applies in politics as well as in everything else.
 "G.ven two sets of conditions, one inva- riably has advantagesover the other. If the advantages possessed by the one are immeasurable they are easily perceived and the majority opinion is quickly regis tered.
 q can judge this situation by my own personal attitude. Assuming I were not .n- terested in politics, but still anxious for good results in the management of govern mental affairs, 1 would study the issues and the candidates. For whom would vote? My inevitable choice would be Van Wyck. What is true of me in this supposi- titious case is true of almost everybody.
 "The vast majority of citizens desire safe, economical government, giving the fullest poss ble measure of personal liberty. They have their own interest at heart, in that they desire the protection and priv ileges guaranteed them by the constitut on, and the lawest possible tax rate.
 '"They find, in this instance, MT. Roose- welt standing on the republican platform and Justice Van Wyck standing on the democratic. They at once consider the re- publican record and immediately see it's bad. They examine the republican plat
 
 the notorious question at issue, and that it is designed as a blind to cover those issues. They then examine the republican eandl- date. I shall not discuss the colonel. He has been an official in this city, and we all know him by his official acts.
 'These citizens then turn to the other side. They examine the democratic record in the management of state affairs and mo- tice that never was the tax rate so low as when democrats were in office They find the democratic platform is unequivocal on all the questions in which the supremacy of this state and the freedom and honor of this city are involved. They find in the democratic candidate a sincere honest man, who has never had the shadow of suspicion cast upon him or his official acts. Fourteen years on the bench, and the most eminent lawyers are eager to do jcstice to his merits.
 "On the one side. hurrah; on the other dignity, honesty, fearlessness and proper conservatism.
 ..These are the reasons why Van Wyck is going to be elected,' continued MT. Croker. The Tammany Chief pondered for mo- ment and as if struck with a spark of en- thusiasm, added: "The democratic candi- date looks like a governor he talks like governor; he acts like governor.
 (Which issues, in your opinion, are the strongest for the democratic side?' was asked.
 "They are all bad for the republicans, replied Mir Croker. 1.-The canal frauds come first, as they affect so much more or the state directly and have menaced the states supremacy we'll as the living of farmers, shippers, laborers and canal boat men. Then comes the force bill, an out rage on the law-abiding people of this metropolis, the second city in the world. Then there is the republican candidates tax lodging, and last, but not least, the contrasting records and personalities of the two candidates.
 "Let the Journal take a poll of Greater New York next week and it will find that Van Wyck will be twice as strong as he was last. That poll, by the way, was an excellent thing. It opened local peoples eyes to the real sentiment of the city; It showed the rural residents how strongly New Workers feel on matters chiefly affect ing the rural districts.
 And the bettng,'' said MT. Croker, in conclusion, twill be two to one in favor Of Van Wyck next week"