Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-02
FORECAST IN GOTHAM
Each Side Trying to Figure
Out Victory.
TAMMANY'S BIG BAR'L
WILL BE STRONG ELEMENT IN
VoTE-GETTING.
Its Leaders Are Making a Desperate
Fight for Political
Existence.
TAMMANY'S BIG BAR'L
spec,a, From n stafr Correspondent.

the existence OF a silent vote, lndlScerndDle
by the newspaper polls and the regular
means of forecasting, which will be suff1-
cient to defeat Tammany. The fusionsts
are hugging to their bosoms the theory that
they whipped Tammany two years ago on
the issue of today and that they ought to
Go 1t again. The more practical of them
realize that it is one thing to inauguarate
n reform and another thing to repeat the
operation after two years of trial, with
their necessary failures, disappontments
and heart-burnings.
The fusionists are not leaning so heavily
on the detection in Brooklyn in consequence
of Boss McLaughlin's revolt.
The work of the political forecasters for
the past twentyfour hours has been to
analyze and sum up the, political conditions
which affect the political situation In this
community and endeavor therefrom to draw
deductions as to the result,
Tammany's Point of View.
1t is easy to name, specify and tabulate
the practical conditions affecting the stua-
ton from the Tammany viewpoint 1t Is
not so easy to specify tangible, and it
might be said negotiable. elements in the
fusion outlook, because the fusion cam
paign is largely ethical and moral and,
therefore, the result to some extent is spec
ulative.
The array of conditions which should be
expected to work in Tammanys behalf
when aggregated presents formidable
frcnt. When those conditions are applied
to mass of voters such as exists in this
community, 1T can be seen that the hopes OF
the Tammany leaders for success are not
built upon sand. That Tammany has blum
dered in it's campaign nobody denies and
the fact is admitted ruefully by the Tam
many leaders themselves. That Tammany
has been lacking in definite Issues is also
true. but there are other elements of
campaign which will go a long way to on
set the acts of omission and commission of
Tammany.
FIRST it may be we'll to tabulate the re-
spective interests which are allied to the
side of the democratic ticket or course, to
begin with, is the smashing democratic
plurality known to exist in Greater New
York as shown by the election returns last
fall. That plurality was 122,OOo.
No Split in Party Last Fall.
1t is true there was no split in the party
then. while at this time the Citizens Union
enrolls among it's numbers democrats who
helped to comprise that plurality year
ago but who will vote with the republicans
this time. But the fact remains that this
great democratic plurality Is in existence,
and the only thing to consider on the other
hand is what conditions will operate to
divide that plurality.
Here are some of the civic elements which
will be arrayed on the side of Tammany in
this election regardless of how they were
aligned last fall: The policemen are Tor
Tammany, with all of the influence on the
floating vote that they command. Two
wears ago the police force was divided Ihe
Low administration has exercised severe
discipline among the police, and the MEM
bers of ''the finest" have missed many little
comforts and emoluments which they know
they enjoy under Tammany's rule. The
fire department with. it's circle of influence,
Is for Tammany. The bosses of the build
ing trades are for Tammany The Low ad-
ministration has administered the building
regulations in behalf of the public. but. 1t
IS claimed by the builders. with severity.
The builders and their workmen know that
It is easier to deal with Tammany than
with a fusion government
Saloons Are for Tammany.
The saloon keepers. of course, are to
man for Tammany. The element In the
population which resents interference with
its right to take drink whenever 1t desires
is for Tammany. Mr.. Low has declared
that he will enforce the excise law, and
says that the hope of the liberal element
lies in home rule for the great city. The
liberal element knows that so long there
IS n republican legislature at Albany there
will be no home rule.
But probably the greatest incentive to a
Tammany victory is the realization by the
leaders that Tammany must win this time
or find itself down and out for many years
to come. If the organization is defeated
twice In succession 1t is admitted that the
most powerful and perfect political corpo-
ration on earth will find itself confronted
by disruption. The rats will leave the sink
ing ship in droves and seek other quarters.
This is Tammany's fight for life Next
year. with the presidential campaign and
the state campaign on hand, 1t cannot
assemble its assets as today. Even the
humblest member of the organization real
ICES the necessity for preserving It's life,
and appreciates the golden possibilities of
the future with the organization intact and
In power.
Tammany's Big Fund.
The results of this appreciation by Tam
many or its situation are shown in the ef-
forts being made to carry the campaign.
The greatest campaign fund in the history
of New York has been collected derived
from every possible source known to this
greatest of grating corporations. The five
dollar bill from the humblest saloon keeper
assessed by the Liquor Dealers Association
upon each of Its 100 members; the s25, 900
contributions OF contractors: the unknown
contributions of public service corporations
seeking special privileges; the filthy blood
stained and tear-stained contributions from
the unmentionable sources in the haunts of
vice and misfortune-all have been gathered
In by the rapacious Tiger for use in the
ways which the Tiger knows so we'll how 10
use, and which more than once in New
York have been effective.
Already the fusion managers see the in
dications of contemplated placing of this
fabulous campaign fund There have been
changes In political districts within ten
days which could only be brought about by
the use of Tammany methods, which not
only comprise the spending of money, but
The application of pressure of one kind and
another. That there Is a colonization
scheme of some extent in existence is be-
heved by every one.
Reported Colonization Scheme.
y significant instance corroborative of the
belief Is the return marked mo such per-
Son at this address of large numbers of
postal cards sent out by the newspapers in
making their polls of the, city. The ad-
dresses were obtained from the registration
lists in other words, the addresses had
been enrolled on the voting lists, but were
Continued on EiSAah Page.)