The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-02
SHEPARD WILL WIN
sAVANNAHIANs BRING THIS I'M
PRESTON FROM NEW YORK.
SUCCESS IS IN SIGHT.
DEMOCRATS IN NEW YORK FEEL
THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE.

Col. George A. Mercer and Rev.
Charles II. Strong Discuss Po1iti-
cnI Conditions in the Metropolis.
From Differing Points of View,
They Reach the Same Conclusion.
Col. Mercer Says Croker Is Conf
dent That the Democratic Ticket
VIII sweep New YOrk-Dr. Strong
Doubts That Reform Sentiment is
weighty Enough to Overbalance
Conditions That Favor Demo-
cratic Success.
Savannahians returning from New
York bring with them nothing but
bright hopes of Democratic success in
the race for the mayoralty of the chief
city of the country. In the opinion of
those who have enjoyed exceptional ia
cilities for gathering information, VIC
tory for the ticket headed by Edward
M. Shepard seems to be practically as
sured.
Col. George A. Mercer and Rev.
Charles H. Strong both reached the
city early yesterday morning. Both are
men who pay close attention to the
trend of current events; both enjoy
wide acquaintance in New York and
both have been placed in close COM
munication with that class of New
Yorks citizens to whom common report
ascribes the power of decision between
the opposing candidates.
Col. Mercer said yesterday that he
had it from authority that he could not
question that the success of the Demo-
cratic ticket, or at the very least the
election of the Democratic candidate
for the mayoralty, was practically as
sured.
1.-THE system of polling pursued in
New York." said Col. Mercer, makes
it easy for the controlling spirit of the
campaign to know how the city stands
and to which of opposing candidates
the votes of the majority of the citizens
will go. have it from my friend, Col.
Dickinson, a man who mas achieved
prominence and distinction in New
York, that the leaders of Tammany feel
assured that their ticket will win.
Col. Dickinson told me that Mr.. Crok-
er himself had given him this assur>
ance; Mr.. Croker had told Col. Dick
inson that he entertained no misgiv-
ings whatever as to the result of the
campaign.
1.-THE opinion of those gentlemen with
whom l discussed the situation" con-
tinued Col. Mercer, seemed to con-
firm this impression. Those who were
Democrats were of the opinion that it
was necessary to keep the city of New
York in the Democratic column and
that it would be very great misfor-
tune if it should be lost to the Repub-
licans. They have sufficient confidence
in the integrity and ability of. Mr..
Shepard to be able to listen unmoved
to the cry of Reform, and they will
vote the Democratic ticket on the day
| of election. 1t seems to be the con-
sentative impression that Mr.. Shepard
will win and that this feeling on the
! part of Democrats, that the party can
not afford to lose New York, will in
very large degree be responsible for
| his election"
DR.. Charles H. Strong, approaching
| the subject from a different point of
view and arguing the probabilities from
| different premises, had reached prac-
| tically the same conclusion.
DR.. Strong has been recently in at
| tendance upon the celebration of the
| bi-centennial of Yale University and
had an excellent opportunity of dis
cussing this question with those who
are on the inside. With those who are
from New York the municipal election
is the one absorbing topic and DIR.
Strong found himself compelled to
listen to discussions of its nature, in
cidents and probable result, whether he
would or not.
There are a number of reasons that
induce in my mind the impression that
| Mr.. Shepard will win," he said. zone
of the most important is the wide
| spread belief on the part of the small
business men, the shopkeepers of New
! York city, that the city is more pros
! porous under the rule of Tammany
! than when a reform administration is
| in power. Another is the undercurrent
/ of distrust as to the ability of Mr.. Low
| successfully to manage the affairs OF
| a great city: when he was Mayor OF
Brooklyn his administration was not
| generally regarded as a success. The
| impression is that he lacks breadth OF
view and that he is unable to under
stand the needs of a city having the
mixed population of New York. An
other circumstance in Mr.. Shepard
favor is the perfect organization Tam
many maintains-an organization that
| is now and has for number of years
| been in power. Possession is q. least
| nine points of the law.
add these favorable conditions tc
the general confidence in the persona
uprightness of the Democratic nominee
anu you will be able to see that he &C.
cupies a strong position. l question
very seriously If the reform sentiment
will be strong enough to GUST him from
it and assure the election of his oppo-
rent. Mr.. Low Is my close personal
friend, and he is a man of fine abilities
and of the cleanest character. but my
observation does not lead me to the
conclusion that he will be the next
| Mayor of New York"
Dr.. Strong was very much impress
ed with the character of the gathering
at Yale's bi-centennial. There was one
thing, however that came to him with
particular force, and that was that the
orations to which he listened were not
up to the standard of the after dinner
speeches at the ordinary banquet OF
one of the patriotic or fraternal socie-
ties of Savannah.
|