New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-01
RELATED ANXIETY.

friends are much disturbed over the danger OF
fraudulent elections. TO which the people OF
this city are subjected by the failure Of Mayor
Van Wyck TO hold TO his part Of the bl-parti-
san bargain after Governor Black had pre-
vented them from carrying out theirs. They
are deeply concerned, not for the loss or the
places in the Police Board, but for the princi-
ples OF good government AS General Tracy
puts the question:
II IL whether the citizens Of New-York shall
have an honest ballot and fair election, or
whether the police force shall be perverted from
its Just duties TO corrupt the ballot protect BAL
lot box stuffing and deprive the citizens or THIS
greater city OF their franchise as voters; 10
thwart the public Will and 70 intrench In power
a band OF men who use all power and influence
to sthe the public and establish themselves
beyond reach Of the ballot. 1t is a grave quee-
ton and one Of moment. l think the Governor
understands and appreciates the gravity OF the
TO denounce this infamy and provide way for
defeating the ends Of the interruptions trick
sters who took such wanton action
Now 1t is undoubtedly true that these "un-
scrupulous tricksters' can II they wish cor
rupt the ballot. The trouble with General
Tracy's discovery Is that It comes just seven
months too late. Everybody but he and his
supporters made 1t before the last election.
The powers conferred on the Mayor by the new
charter were then perfectly understood. Gen.
eral Tracy helped make that instrument, and
Mr. Platt was most strenuous to keep police
and election functions combined. The hated
"reformers" foretold Just how "unscrupulous
tricksters' would make bipartisan boards their
own and subvert honest elections. The Trib-
une repeatedly urged upon the party managers
the party expediency Of keeping such powers
from Tammany, even II they did not like the
Independents who, it was perfectly evident
were the only alternative to Tammany rule.
As early as September The Tribune said:
Time and time again have fraudulent counts
here defeated the party in the State. So far
was fraud recognized as the usual thing that
In old times the Republicans never hoped 10
carry the State unless they could roll up a
country majority so large that 1t made no dif-
ference how the city vote was counted. Under
the non-partsan administration OF Mayor
Strong the Republican voters OF this city nave
had their ballots fairly canvassed and to-day
the party Is strong here. Under another non
partisan Mayor It would have the same advan-
tage. Under Tammany II would have TO pre-
pare again to be defrauded and made impotent
in the city and then in the State.
Four days later The Tribune said: "The
Mayor elected this year will hold over the next
presidential election. and with Tammany In
office the electoral votes Of NewYork would
"be largely at its mercy The Governorship n
year hence would be likely TO fall into It's
Glands, and It would have great opportunities
"to gain a Legislature and retain Democratic
"Senator at Washington. Under such circum-
stances II would be better for the Republican
Organization leaders, supposing them to be, Of
course, incapable Of treacherous and corrupt
dealings with Tammany TO put IN office m
"anti-Tammany Mayor, even If he were to L.
more them in all matters OF local patronage
than to strengthen an implacable enemy who
would be a menace to them In city, State and
"Nation"
Time and again the warning was repeated
and General Tracy was urged TO withdraw from
a contest In which he was bound to be third
But Mr.. Plat and his friends denounced such
truth-tellers as traitors, and. protesting devo-
ton to "the future OF the party" and proclaim
ing the necessity OF "malntaining the organl-
zation" for the sake Of sound money and State
elections tley led It TO foreseen defeat and put
Tammany in power The Tribune then classed
as among the prodigies Of the absurd the argu-
ment that because the city Of NewYork Is
"largely influential in determining State cleo
"tions. md consequently In settling National
Contests, the Republican party should preserve
ats power as National organization by max
'ing It impossible for the Republicans to carry
this city now or for years to come" year
has not gone by, and our predictions are alb
solutely justified. The Republican machine,
following the policy applauded by It's committee
In April, preferred Tammany Mayor TO ono
responsible to no party. Controlling a mi
norlty Of the vote necessary to beat Tammany,
they drew 1t Off from the majority and made
Mr.. Van Wyck Mayor Now the Mayor Is
MI.
gave a Mayor power to do In the charter which
thew made and passed and tust what they