The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-04
WHY THE REPUBLICAN, VOTE
FELL OFF.
The Reason 0f the Sweeping Tammany Vio-
tory In This l1ty at the Late Election.

Tory IN InIs city ~ the Lete fIectlOn.
To THE Editor OF tbs sus-Sir: The
| reasons advanced for the great fallins-on OF
the Republican vote Ia the city OF New York
AZ the last election are many and varied
The latest one, that the slump was caused
by the activity Of che district leaders at pri-
mary time and not enough activity on cleo
ton day. Is a statement that will not he borne
out by the facts was one OF the speakers
during the campaign and ny Assignments
were. for the most part. 20 tn" smaller meet
ines, where had an opportunity OF minglins
with the common people and listening to
the reasons for their support or non-support
OF the Republican ticket
The lack OF enthusiasm among the voters
was In great contrast TO that shown IN the
municipal campaign OF year aso. H. fact,
the only enthusiasm | saw displayed and
! spoke all over the city, sometimes two
and three times niRht-was at the meetings
at Cooper Union. Durlands Academy and
In The Bronx. al which Governor Odell spoke.
And TO this lack of enthusiasm more than
anything else j. due the detection In the Re-
publican vote in this city II a cause is found
(snd in nv opinion IL easily isi for this lack
OF enthusiasm. even among the men who
have supported tho Republican candidates
for years. the reason win readily be seen for
the poor showing of the Republican candi-
date. In this city last election day.
Preceding the campaign OF 1897 a self
organized committee calling themselves the
Citizens Union" met together put forward
certain ticket and demanded that the Re-
publican organizat ion support it The lead
ers OF the Republican party (and ! think
Governor Odell was among the numberl
at that time stated that the Republican party
would be held responsible for the acts OF any
municipal officers elected with the support of
the Republican organization. and. therefore
they desired AT least Irst TO nominate the
ticket which then could be intOrSed nv OUT
.ids organizations Through the stubborn
ness OF this self-nppointed committse no
nominated q TICKET OF their own. with the
result that. although Tammany Hall won,
the Republican ORGANIZATION of the city OF
New York preserved il integrity and their
vote in the following four years did not at
any time fall behind
convention agreement reached by which all
factions opposed to Tammany Hal were
SWEPT into power There were sheehanites
And AND
on tina, ticket: but ,he Republican party cast
sble 81 ths PEOPLE for Che actions [and non
orSs in o. every as % manp
Under the Tammahy administration were 70
the people to believe all they heard during
that campaign, the millennium would surely
n Fsfa said n vo ns can
came to carrying out the reforms promised.
to correct the many evils existing in the
various. departments TO vino ont the dives,
to purify the Poics Department. to reduce
holders who were getting something for
nothing the newly-elccted men found that
theorizins wns very different thing from
That's where the trouble began. Call a
man Sheehan Democrat or Steckler Demo-
Reform Democrat. or Tanmany Democrat
you may change his strircs but you , cant
chsnS. hi: nsi r Mhen came o to eS Sad NE
own idea of how they could best be effected
and what reforms have been attempted have
sion and baokbiting with little satisfaction
e the PEOPLE at large, LOT they nave nay become become
a.on %nS S nave ,s Saea a are
or ganizai ion for the things that have. been
promi.ed and have not been done. ! am
eon said OF Cardinal Wolsey. after he was
n lie. great; lis performance as he is now.
The reform ticket. u is true, should not
the orsaniiation.. hut there are as good
rs Impossible for the men WHO worked, and
worked hard, for the success Of that ticket
To look on with equanlnUy When tne pluhs
are being handed out TO the men who were
on the ocean or NJ their country homes, or
any, old place except the polls on election day.
And then. too. to see the men for whom they
worked and voted using their "non-partisan
once, and influence against the party that
put them In power is not conducive OF great
enthusiasm. Non-partisanship IL very beau
tiful in theory. Rut human nature is human
nature, and most men, no matter what they
may say to the contrary, are bound to allow
their opinions In municipal matters to be
Influenced by their national politics, strive
they never 80 hard
TIE effect of the reform movement upon
the Republican party as a whole in the state
OF New York only bears out the idea OF the
leaders Of the PARTY five years ago-that II
Is impossible 10 have a Crazy-Quilt combina-
ton foisted upon the people OF the city OF
New YORK and sti retain to Integrity Of tie
Republican or ganiz1tion. Let the Republican
party put w the hes, men witt in its lines
and II will soon find the organization rejuve-
mated and renahilitated. on a platform OF
prosperity and plenty, produced by the Re-
publican party common sense Viii, in tbs
greatest METROPOLIS in the world. be sure
to win In the end
FRANK G. KISGsLAND.
NEW YoRK. Dec