Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-30
The New York Situation.

In a New York letter to the Philadelphia
Ledger appears this paragraph
Ex-senator Hill. in his Tilden Club adj
dress, spoke of political conditions this year
as resembling those of 1882. when the DEM
ocratS swept the state. There are, indeed,
certain points of resemblance The year
preceding President Garfield was assassi-
mated, and was succeeded in the presidency
by New York man, Chester A. Arthur,
just another New York man succeeded
another Ohio President last year Then, as
now, there was a republican governor and
republican Congress. The democratic
party had long been out of power. Three
years before Tammany had bolted the state
ticket, and John Kelly ran as an indie
pendent for governor. He was near the
end of his leadership of Tammany. In like
manner Richard Croker has retired from
the leadership, and Tammany is in a state
of disorganization. But here the similarity
ends. In 1882 the republican governor was
defeated for denomination, under circum-
stances which created profound dissatis-
faction among republican voters. This
year Governor Odell is to be renominated
without opposition. In 1882 the star of
Grover Cleveland rose in Buffalo. just at
the time that that of Samuel ]. Tilden was
gradually declining. Today no successor OF
democratic armament is ascending. There
are discussions In the republican party
now, but not such deep chasm as Sep
arated the Stalwart and half-breed factions
in 1882 Then Cleveland was elected gov
ernor by nearly 900, 600 plurality, but no.
body believes that it is possible for any
such political revolution to take place this
year"
A little examination shows that these
points of resemblance don't resemble The
situation Of today and that Of twenty years
ago are in essence as different as can be-
In 1882 the republicans were seriously di-
vided, not only as respected local but ma
tional leadership. Governor Cornell had
while In Office made a number of enemies,
and they determined to defeat him for re-
nomination. They succeeded in their aim,
but as forged telegram was employed in
bringing about the result, the Cornell men
took revenge later, and in large numbers
remained away from the polls. Mr.. Cleve-
lands phenomenal majority was not a
democratic victory won ON democratic prin-
ciples, but a republican protest against a
republican fraud. Moreover, President Ar
thur was not on speaking terms at the
time with Mr.. Conkling; and while the lat
ter had retired from active politics his
friends were lukewarm toward Judge Fol-
ger, who was the Presidents friend
The situation today is all very different
from that. Mr.. Odell has made some enc
mics, but they are not seeking to defeat his
IeliOIiiildllOi can nave mat LOT Cne
asking; and, upon the whole. he is very
popular. Mr.. Arthur succeeded President
with whom he had been at odds. Mr..
Roosevelt has succeeded a President with
whom his personal and official relations
were Of the most cordial kind. He has
fallen heir to the friendship of many Of the
men who stood very near to Mr.. Mckinley.
In New York, as elsewhere, therefore, the
praS daot' ipta int ta re
didate is a help and not hindrance.
1t is hardly to be expected that, with
everything so favorable. the republicans of
New York will throw away their opportu-
nifty. There does not appear to be the
slightest opening for a second Cleveland.
1t was a forged telegram, as already stated,
which produced that two hundred thousand
democratic majority in 1882, and not any
exceptional strength possessed by the man
who. although he had made good mayor
of Buffalo, was unknown to the people of
the state at large, and not overly popular
with the politicians.