New-York tribune., 1900-09-20
MR.. sTANcHFIELD's OPPORTUNITY.


The Hon. John r. Stanchfeld came TO town
yesterday for the purpose of arranging various
matters connected with his campaign for Gov
ernor of New-York and having finished that
business. we hope to his satisfaction. he prop
erly consented to impart TO a number of at
tentive and interested reporters some of his
views on political questions. His demeanor
was characterized by considerable degree of
suavity, but il would be an exaggeratiOn to say
that his talk a saturated solution of cheer
fulness He did. indeed. remark that every
thing looks especially we'll for the Democratic
National ticket" but he Immediately added.
with reference TO the State campaign, that
while it had hardly begun yet, and was there
fore not a theme on which definite and in
structive observations could be expected. it
was evident there would he mo such Repub-
'lican majOrities this year as there were four
years ago. This hardly looks as if Mr..
Stanchfield were already making his plans TO
refurnish the Executive Mansion in Albany, if
necessary at his own expense.
However, sobriety of statement is a rather
engaging quality in a candidate for public office,
and we commend Mr.. Stanchfeld's omission to
declare that he is as good as elected by an
overwhelming majority. There are some other
subjects, however, in respect to which his diff
dence is at first thought less admirable. Thus,
being asked whether or not he would discuss
free silver on the stump, he replied that he
should speak 'only on such issues as are rela-
tive and germane to the State; and again, in
answer to an inquiry If that determination
would enable him to talk on imperialism he
said: well, I'll oppose imperialism at Albany,
anyhow It must be admitted that both these
replies are of the evasive order, though by no
In viz of ty1a Osr
The latter especially appears to us TO be dis
tincuy meritOrious, if it was intended not mere
ly TO preserve from additional complications his
somewhat embarrassing record on the para
mount issue of the Kansas City platform but
at the same time to intimate to rural voters
that in his opinion Tammany ought to be kept
out Of the State Capitol
1t is well known that two years ago Mr.
Stanchfeld's judgment and personal feelings
were severely shocked when Mr. Croker abb
ruptly sidetracked his hopeful candidacy and
insisted on nominating Brother Gus for Gov
ernOr in order to consolidate the municipaI ad-
ministration and the State government in his
own hands. 1t was obvious also that many
Of Mr.. Stanch1eld'S political friends and foes
shared his sentiments on that subject in the
campaign of 1898, and there is no reason TO
suppose that they have since changed their
minds. He may naturally desire. therefore to
dispel the belief that in case of his election
Mr.. Croker will transfer his headquarters TO
Albany or open a branch office there To that
end Mr.. Stanchfeld should seize the next
chance to emphasize the point which he seems
to have cOvertly suggested yesterday If he
keeps his promise to make the trusts the chief
burden Of his speeches he will find many ap-
propriate opportunities to declare that Tam
many, the most odious Of them all, shall not
dominate his administration. We do not hon
estly think that he will he elected if he pursues
this course. but we can assure him that his
campaign will be lively and full of interest.