The herald., 1898-10-01
NEW YORK DEMOCRATS


cuse convention would serve we'll as
model. 1t would tax the memory Of an
"old d-timer" to recall Democratic
state convention in New York that
could parallel the last one in the smooth
ness of its proceedings from beginning to
end. And this did not result from pre-
arranged program. While the Demo-
cratic party of New York never suffers
from lack Of bosses, there was but little
bossism perceptible in the convention.
Nobody knew, even a few hours before
the nomination was made, who would
be placed at the head of the ticket.
The man who holds second place on
the ticket Elliott Danforth, was thought
to be the most likely leader. The sub
sttution of Judge Van Wyck was
doubtless intended to heal differences
between leaders of the party in New
York and Brooklyn. Judge Van Wyck
being Brooklynite, outside the pale OF
politics. and brother of the mayor of
New York, was entirely acceptable to
all leaders of the party in the greater
city Mr.. Danforths friends were
satisfied with second place for their
favorite, and the minor offices were
easily apportioned.
The caustic arraignment of the ad-
ministration for misconduct of the war
is the most noticeable feature Of the
platform. 1t places the blame for
abuses squarey upon the shoulders OF
the president, charging him directly
with scattering army commissions
among inexperienced and incompetent
civilians as rewards to personal favor
ties, and that to the exclusion of ex-
perienced officers in the service
Vigorous exception is taken by the
Times to this direct arraignment of the
president. The exception is, we think
both inconsistent and illogical. The
Times has been in the van Of newspapers
Of the United States in Illuminating pre-
cisely the same charges, with the diff
ference that they were aimed at Secre-
tary Alger instead of President McKin
lev. But the president himself is the
head of the war department. The con-
stitution makes the president com
mander-in-c chief of the army and nav!
OF the United States" The secretary OF
war stands in the place of the first sub
ordinate. In directing their charge
against the president instead Of agains
his subordinate the New York Demo
Gratis have simply fired at the head.
In ignoring the financial issue the New
York Democrats have apparently fol.
lowed the tactics of Republican leader!
in California, who pretend that the rail
road question is not an issue In the cam
paign. There was the strongest evil
dence, however, that the Chicago plat
form and it's standard bearer are deal
to the hearts of New York Democrats
no matter what the phraseology Of thu
platform The Associated Press dis
patch says:
A mention of the name Of William
Jennings Bryan by Thomas Cormody in
seconding the nomination of Stanch-
field, produced the greatest demonstra-
ton witnessed in the convention Dele
| gates stood on chairs waving hats,
while from the galleries men waved
hats and even coats, and one man
grabbed Cuban flag from the decora
tions and waved 1t amid the widest
excitement. The demonstration contin-
ued for several minutes
That demonstration indicates the
present feeling of fully three-fourths o.
the Democrats of the Empire State. Th'
glitter of the gold bug will not entic'
them from true allegiance when the tes
comes two years hence. The ticket IL
strong one throughout. Judge Val
Wyck, like his Rough Rider opponent
comes from far back Holland stock, thu
so-called Knickerbockers.