The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-07
THE ELECTION IN NEW YORK.
The press did it.

The press did it.
But for the effective aid given by the
newspapers of New York victory would
not have come 20 Mr.. Low.
The election in Greater New York on
Tuesday appears to be even a greater
victory for the reform" movement than
it really amounts to, and the reform
movement itself is evidently stronger
now than it will continue to be.
The reason for this is not hard to get
at. What is termed the reform move
ment is simply an alliance Of the forces
which are in opposition to Tammany.
and Mr.. Seth Low was seized upon as the
most available man to lead these New
York forces, which might be described
as Fusion Mugwump Republican in their
organization. These forces this year
were gathered into one compact organi
cation, the motive and the shibboleth of
which was Defeat Tammany." These
antiTammany cohorts, Of all classes,
conditions and previous conditions of po-
litical utilization joined in one prodigious
effort to overthrow this powerful organi-
cation, ard succeeded.
AS opposition candidates two strong
men were pitted against each other. For
the Fusionists the fight was led by Seth
Low, one time Mayor of Brooklyn and
after President of Columbia University.
Opposed to him was Edward NJ. Shepard,
a courageous Democratic reformer,
pledged to every good purpose advocated
by his opponent. Mr.. Low represented
what is popularity known as the Mug
wump party. In other campaigns he has
been candidate for Mayor of New York,
an independent in politics. but received
the support of Plat, the Republican
boss. as we'll as that of the anti
Tanmanyites Mr.. Shepard, the Demo-
cratic, candidate, was at one time a
most vigorous fighter against Tammany
and was at the head OF a citizens move
ment opposed to Tammany when nomi-
mated in convention. He hesitated be-
fore he accepted the nomination. but
having done so he waged a vigorous
campaign, SO vigorous in fact that VIC
tory was seemingly his. His nomination
was a bomb in the camp of the reform
ers.' who fought desperately every inch
of ground
1t is not hard to find the cause of the
loss of Greater New York to the Democ-
New York is really Democratic, and these
votes went to the Fusion ticket because
of the almost unanimous voice of the
press of the city. which made terrific
onslaughts against Tammany and against
some who held office by the grace of
Tammany. In short the election of Low
In any campaign where they unite as in
the one just closed they will succeed for
the press is mighty and will prevail.
While Mr.. Low will doubtless endeavor
to carry out his ideas of reform we re-
gard the defeat of Mr.. Shepard as being
a misfortune to the cause of good gov
eminent in New York. for which discon-
tented Democrats will be responsible.
The elements which elected Mr.. Low are
not congenial elements. They will not
long be in accord nor will they hang to-
gether and. while for a time the re-
suits of Tuesdays election may seem
good. they will be but transitory.
And the people will again turn to the
Democratic party for relief. It's defeat
is but a temporary one, just as have
been defeats in the past. from which the
party has recovered. The new alliance
of homogeneous forces, whose success
only came because the newspapers took
up its fight, will find that at one stroke
it will not be able to destroy an organi-
zation which has done valiant battle for
the people