Evening star., 1902-08-18
NEW YORK POLITICS
Confined Mostly to Manhat-
tan Island.
THE GOVERN0RSHIP
CONSIDERED A STEPPING STONE
TO PRESIDENCY.
Hill and His Aspirations-Suspici
as to Tammany's Spasm of Reform
-Conceit of Gothamites.
Special From a staff Correspondent.

go beyond Manhattan Island. The fate of
Big Bill Deverey, the interests of Senator
Platt, the woes of Tammany, comprise to
the New Yorker all the shadings of the
word politics. All that he knows of ma
tional politics is bound up in the possible
effect of New York politics upon the politi-
cal veal of the nation, and he thinks that
as New York goes so goes the union.
There is certain element of grandeur in
the mammoth conceit of the New Yorker.
No pent-up Utica confines his appreciation
Of the influence of his little island-the
whole boundless universe is his, whether it
is business, fashion or politics. New York
is the whole thing.
The impression prevails here that the next
democratic candidate for the presidency is
to be selected in New York. The demo-
cratic national convention may be all right
in its Way-it serves purpose, to wit, to
register the will of the New York democ-
racy. But that's all. I'VE will fix this lit
tie matter up among u.s." they say, and
the convention will do as we say.
So it comes about that what the New
Workers say about candidates is of interest.
The idea prevails here that the governor
ship is stepping stone to the presidency.
The governorship in New York is uncertain.
A democrat may be elected well
publican. most any time, without apparent
rhyme or reason. 1t must be largely chance
Hill's Presidential Aspirations.
The gossip now is about Hills presidential
aspirations and the candidacy for the gov
ernorship of New York. They say that Hill
does not want the democrats to win in this
gubernatorial fight assuming that they
can. They ascribe to him motives of small
jealousy in the premises.
why they say, If some fellow comes
along and carries the gubernatorial cleo
ton. he will be the whole thing. The latest
success is the only success New York
knows Hill had his successes, but they
are past. Whoever should lick the republic
cans this fall would be directly in the line
of succession
Chairman Griggs of the democratic con-
gressonal committee comes over and starts
a boom for Edward NJ. Shepard for the
presidency. 1t Immediately is taken as an
indication that Shepard may be in the run
ming for the governorship. Well, he might
win. In that case he would eclipse all con-
temporary New Workers, including Mr.. Hill.
So we hear deprecations witness frowns
of disapproval. Shepard was beaten for
mayor; why should be allowed to try it
again?
The cold-blooded ones say that Mr.. Hill
will not stand for any democratic candidate
for governor who might win this fall; that
a republican victory is on the cards be-
cause it is not desired to have a democrat
get the prestige of a victory. The way this
is to be accomplished is to nominate a
man who has no show of winning.
However, far be it from me to speak
upon the subject Possessing only a lay-
mans slight knowledge of general political
conditions, such might be obtained from
a strenuous service in Washington, l would
not presume to the superior knowledge the
summum bonum, of understanding New
York politics 1t is fearfully and wonder
fully made.
That New York can make knife play
is known to the national democracy to its
sorrow PerhaDS that is whV
somewhat timorous of the New York de-
mocracy. 1 have known gents in the west
to establish a valuable reputation by one
brilliant knife play at a critical period. No
would come riding recklessy and rop-
ing at them in a frivolous manner after
that. What with knife plays and being led
astray by cheerless-1 mean peerless-lead-
ers. the national democracy is likely to
ride softly and make soundings before es-
saying crossing at strange fords in the fu-
ture.
No More Knife Play by Tammany.
There is one thing of which 1 am as
sured by my friends in the southern dele
cations In Congressional there Is to be no
more knife play from Tammany. When the
next national convention comes around the
delegates from the west and south pro-
pose to keep sharp eye on Tammany.
They will not accept any man who is likely
to be knitted in New York
Mr.. Hill would be acceptable to the rank
and file of the southern democracy today,
provided he could bring assurances that
Tammany would not betray him. If he has
a feud with Tammany, he will have to
make it up before the national convention.
The same rule applies to any other candi-
date from the empire state.
The western and southern democrats do
not like Tammany. They think Tammany
is not Ion the square" But they need
Tammany In their business. They cannot
afford to say to Tammany: I won't play;
I'll take my chaney dishes and go home"
But in the presidential campaign Tammany
will have to keep both hands above the
table and its sleeves rolled up, and also
pass cards under the table with its toes.
Mr.. Hill, of course, is not Tammany. But
he is the recognized boss of New York de-
mocracy; that Is, so recognized throughout
the country 1t is to him the western and
southern democrats would look to deliver
the goods. They would expect him to make
the bargain with Tammany and would
sean its provisions and the possibilities of
their being carried out. But he is the at
torney of record.
Tammany cares nothing for the presi-
dency per Sc. 1t has vague and indistinct
idea Of the presidency and what it implies.
To Tammany control of or interest in the
presidential nomination is merely political
asset something to trade with In the pecu-
liar New York game So 1t IS with the gov
ernorship distinctly, as has been proven in
the past. Tammany would swap horses in
minute. and in the middle of the stream,
if it saw a chance to drive a good trade in
either the governorship the presidency.
What are the perquisites of those offices to
Tammany compared with the divvy In the
great departments of New York municipal
administration?
Gubernatorial Nomination.
The contest for the gubernatorial nomi-
nation will be watched with some interest
in democratic circles. 1t may be true or
not that Mr.. Hill is Jealous and would put
up man who cannot win The western
and southern democrats do not care much
about that. but they are interested In har-
mony between the factions in New York. to
the end that the powerful New York de-
nsocracy may be in shape in the next presi-
Dental campaign to do business and that
some one can be in authority to deliver the
goods.
The New York democrats are going
through period Of housecleaning. Tam