New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12

huential factor which increased the intensity
Of the struggle. A spice. which perhaps
favored slightly Of revenge. added 10 the
bitterness, too. 1t manifest on both SIDES.
The Good Government forces felt from their
point OF View that the interests for which
they stood had been betrayed by George Il.
Warner. 1t will be interesting to dwell for a
moment this phase OF the situation. The
Good Government party elected Warner Mayor
in 1897, and defeated Lewis. OF that there can
be no doubt Their cry has always been
Municipal government on a business basis"
This they say. the Mayor they carried to VIC
tory promised faithfully to uphold and strive
for. Instead what was the return for their de-
votion? A complete abandonment OF the prin-
ciples on which he was chosen beautiful ex-
emplification OF the old slogan, ITO the victor
belong the spoils" and administration
marked by the most AFFECT surrender to politi-
cal preferment.
The effect on the Good Government people
pronounced. They were waiting for an OPP
portunity This the Republicans perceived The
countenance of George Washington Aldridge
beamed with patriotic ardor The machine. sure
Of the close alliance OF the Good Government
forces, put up their strongest man. on a second
choice made necessary by the resignation of
Lewis Z. Ross The mantle fell on Special
County Judge George A. Carnahan. close per-
sonal friend Of Congressman James NJ. E.
O'Grady
At the beginning Of the campaign then the
situation was this; Carnahan and the entire Re-
publican ticket, which was skilfu concession
both to the Good Government and machine ee-
ments, supported by the Republican party
in the city. by the Good Government forces
masse and by another reinforcement, which was
none the less effective for being secret. This
valuable factor was the Ernst Democrats, who
had fought Warner In the primaries and almost
defeated him for denomination. The enmity has
and George f. Warner. This the Republicans
well understood. and it based strong hopes.
They were not disappointed. The Ernst crowd
strong in numbers and each voter a
metaphorcal knife in fgurative belt and on
November Z carved and carved and carved
again. Warner won in 1897 by 5000;
Carnahan's majority this year reached $500.
Whence came this sudden and surprising slide?
Surely not all from ehe pushing Of the Good
Government strength.
Warner. the other side, had few dis
gruntled Republicans, some rebellious Good
Government men. besides the rank and file Of his
personal following. which was but little
greater than that led by Ernst.
After the battle mists have cleared away and
the usual volume Of explanations registered
comes the question Of the nature Of It. the fruits
OF the conquest The general opinion seems to
be that the young man who has suddenly been
called upon to assume the burdens and respon-
sibilities of such an important office as that of
Mayor under the White charter has an oppor-
tunity enjoyed by few.
Mayor-el Carnahan unfortunate in his
sponsor perhaps. His friends hope however
that his natural independence OF character and
clearness Of vision will him to see the
danger OF too ardent a gratitude for assistance
too blind a devotion to party interests" He
has the example Of his predecessor to warn him
against such temptations: and may rest per-
fectly assured that his allies In the Good Gov
eminent ranks will watch his every move with
critical and unmerciful eyes.
The Mayor Is likely to he in close touch with
Congressman O'Grady. who will certainly not
work In the interests Of the Aldridge machine.
and is. indeed. credited with an ambition to
form a machine OF his own.
The Good Government people are particularly
enthusiastic over the personnel OF the School |
Board. which contains majority OF members
OF their own choosing, including Mrs. Helen b.
Montgomery. whose triumphant success has
aroused indescribable and tumutuous elaton
in the souls OF Susan b. Anthony and all the
club women OF Rochester.
One feature OF the coming administration will
be viewed with no little interest. The Repub-
lcans virtually have promised to rehabilitate
the city finances. which undoubtedly have been
led into evil ways In the last two years. One OF
the chief charges made against the Warner adj
ministration has been the reckless and extraya-
CANT manner In which the public funds have
been wasted in improvements which did not i'm
prove. and which were unnecessary and UNI
sought for by taxpayers. The choice of James
Johnston for Controller while not swallowed
with good grace by all. met the Endorsement of
the thinking part OF the city voters. He Is q
careful. shrewd man. and. with the cooperation
Of a Common Council which will contain some
much TOWARD enabling the party to keep It's
promise to the taxpayers
For the county ticket little need be said Coun-
ty Treasurer John g. Hamilton had no opponent
and caught nearly the entire county and city
vote. Monroe has been always reckoned one OF
the surest and strongest Republican counties In
the State, and the result only what should
have been expected.