The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-20
NEW YORK LETTER.
Political Factions on the jump.
Parents TerrOrized by Kidnapers.


faithful lieutenant, ex-senator Munzin-
ger. to rally the faithful, the flag of an
independent Democrat party has been
hauled TO. and unfurled at'the masthead.
The thirty-five assembly districts have
been organized, and every inch of the
ground has its line of entertainments
manned with Sheehan supporters. EX-
Sheriff Jimmie O'Brien has made his an
nual visit to the glimpses of the moon,
weary of resting in the political cene-
terry, and proposes to show his activity IN
the city of Democracy. The ''reformers'
and the "pious men of Gotham now pro-
pose to whip in from the ranks and tles
of the Democracy all straying Demo-
Gratis, and they may select the camps OF
Sheehan or OBrien. At the right time
Sheehan and OBrien will come together
under one banner.
"A few aspirants to mayoralty honors
have Joined those leaders. The Hon. Per-
ry Belmont who had a falling out with
Tsmmany's bad boy, Richard Croker,
about something not reported to the pub
lie, has drawn his niekel-plated snicker-
srIe@, and poses as a champion in tbs
army headed by Generals Sheehan and
o'Brien. The honorary Perry is a valua-
BILE find, as his credit stands well on
the books of commercial agencies. ! am
glad Sheehan has secured proper com
nissary for the sinews department, as
me nerve department was rather heavily
differed. They tell me Col Ed. Knox
figures as a strong candidate in the optis-
mistic day dreams of the reformers, out
thanking Perry, who was too intimate
with Croker to please the pure reformer
There is no doubt that the opposition to
Tammany Hall is to be found way down
deep below the surface. 1t may be di-
vided, however into two divisions. In
one are those who desire to correct the
abuses created by the abuse of power by
fighting within the organization, in the
other,J those who stand outside OF the
breastworks and fight all within. l find
many who rant and rail against Tam
many who will not line up. Every prac-
teal politician knows ii is difficult to
make men who have been in politics make
a move. Take, for instance, one of those
family disturbances called a primary
fight. We will say that Leader Brown is
talked against from one end of his dis
trict to the other. Jones gets out against
him. Jones may be better man, but
Browns enemies confess they don't want
Brown, but they don't want to vote for
for Jones in preference to Brown, but
they think Brown may not be defeated,
and they can not afford to be with the
loser. And so it is with an organization.
The politician is afraid of a change But
when it comes to the people, who are not
known or controlled (and they number
FIVE to one), having no fear, are ready
to vote for the better cause
The Independent Democratic party can
= 49, - Nraw
from the Republicans. A fusion candidate
will not be acceptable to many Repub-
licans who will not vote for a Democrat
on Republican ticket, and Democrats
will not vote for a Republican Endorsed
by independent Democrats. The split be-
tween Odell and Plat has passed but
Platt's threat remains. 1t still echoes.
Plat will charge the victory of Tam
many to Odell's attitute on the Constab-
tIlary bill. Tammany's defeat will con-
FIRM Platts wisdom in desiring it to be-
come law, One must be proven wise and
one foolish. The wise one will remain
me Republican leader of the state. Tam
many's success or failure means the Re
publican leadership of the state.
Nothing more interesting is offered she
taxpsyer and citizen as an example of,
the elevation of a man to high posi-
ton through strong political influence
than is daily offorded by Deputy Com
missioner of Police Devery. That he UNI
eerstands the politics of the station house
and the ways and habits of the average
patrolman need not be disputed. His ut
terances reveal the old timer. one who
has swung his club on the corner, passed
his hour lounging in the station house
back room. and has there acquired deep
knowledge of the polieeman's observa-
tions on the life of the streets. The
trials over which he presides reflect the
sergeant or captain at the desk. He ad-
ministers the justice of the department
with the air of one who is convinced
that his conclusions are the facts and the
law, and, better still, that he is the pow
er to execute his own sentences. His lam
guage is enriched by words from the po-
lice vocabulary which are forcible and
picturesque. Sometimes it is only intelli-
gible to the unlucky policeman before
him, but that Individual loses no point as
to its meaning. Devery stands between
the police and the public like a well-fed
politician acting the part of a uniformed
buffer. His observations upon the intel
ligence and appreciation of the public
cause a smile. he does the public the
honor TO recognize its existence, and in
speaking of it reminds one somewhat of
the cheap actor who places the stage on
Que ndIlo ana tue puOliC on the OlneIs as
though a gulf was fixed between the two.
But Devery. through his training. has
only reached the point in his education
which admits OF its existence, but not to
the point that heis it's paid servant
Grimes, OF a similar character, from
time to time startle the people and Gre
ate speculation as to the causes. 1t is
simple enough There need be no deep
psychological reasons given for very nat
ural circumstances. a crime is reported
and it excites the interest of persons
whose minds are criminal If the crime
is boldly and successfully executed by
some desperate of originality. II at once
excites imitation. The Cudahy boy was
kidnapped. The ransom was paid, the cir
cumstances dramatic, and the chief des-
perado. in spite of rewards vigilance and
abundant clews escaped. In the criminal
mind a notable and brilliant coup had
Charlie Ross case, all trace Of the boy
was lost, and his abductors escaped. True,
it is believed the kdnapers in a bur-
glary exploit, were killed. but the evil
dence is not conclusive. Doubtless the
Ross case inspired the Cudahy case, ana
both the recent abduction of the McCor-
mick boy, who, after an absence of two
weeks, has not been recovered.
About two years ago stolen child was
recovered. the kidnapers arrested and
sentenced to almost life imprisonment
but IL has not deferred rascals from like
/crimes. Other attempts have been made
and parents In fair circumstances arc
terrorlzed. Too often the mscreants who
plot these diabolical crimes exaggerate
q he afra ~ IL.