The Irish standard., 1903-10-10
REPUBLICAN FUSION.

The political situation in New York
city is most interesting and complicat-
ed. Two years ago the present mayor,
who is Republican in national poll
tics, was nominated on IL ticket com.
posed for the most part of anti-Tnm-
many Democrats. The ticket was
elected. There seemed to be some
chance that the ticket might be re-
elected by keeping up an anti-Tam-
many fight and thus getting the sup
port of the Independent Democrats
All the time it was strongly asserted
by the friends of fusion that the
movement WAS nOn-partiSan and
strove only for good municipal gov
eminent through competent officials
There was much opposition to the
nomination of Mayor Low this year
on the part of independent Democrats
who insisted that the anti-Tammany
ticket should be led by Il Democrat.
They said New York was Il Democratic
city. That no one could be elected
without Democratic votes and as the
Republicans had the candidate two
years ago, they should have the candi-
date this year. Their demands were
refused by the Republicans and Mayor
Low was renominated with practically
the same ticket which was elected
two years ago. This did not at all dis
turb the Tammany leaders who felt
sure that the Democrats of Greater
New York would not consent to turn
over the city to IL Republican mayor
OH the eve of presidential campaign.
But unforeseen trouble arose In the
path Of Tammany leaders. They de-
cided to nominate Congressman Nc
Clellan as their candidate for mayor.
His candidature was dispensing to
Hugh Mclaughlin, the old boss and
leader of the regular Democratic or
ganization in the Borough Of Brook
Ign. Charles f. Murphy, the leader
Of Tammany, insisted that Mcclellan
should be nominated and Mclaughlin
threatened that, II Tammany used its
power and forced the nomination of
Mcclellan upon the Democracy OF
Brooklyn, Brooklyn Democrats would
knife the ticket, and even went SO far
as to say that an independent Demo-
cratic licked would be nominated. The
situation then resolved itself into a
question whether Tammany, which is
the regular Democratic organization of
New York, Queens and Richmond
counties should dictate the nomination
or whether Mclaughlin and his or
ganization in Brooklyn should do so.
Tammany would have nm overwhelm-
ing majority of the delegates in the
convention. But could Tammnny af-
ford to fight Mclaughlin and the flu
sion ticket both? If Mclaughlin was
in earnest he could defeat Mcclellan
ut the polls. Something must be done
to weaken the fusion ticket. attract
independent Democrats to Tammany
and make it impossible for McLaugh-
lin to put Il new ticket in the field.
Mr.. Murphy went to Comptroller
Circuit and President of the Assembly
Fornes, nominees OH the fusion ticket,
both Democrats, able and honest Of
ticials. and offered them the 'rammany
nomination for the offices to which
they had already been nominated by
the Republican and fusion forces. They
accepted the prOfferel nominations
and were nominated. Then there re-
suited IL most embarrassing situation for
the fusion ticket. These two men had
been held up to the public as most
worthy and efficient officials. which in
fact they are The chief argument of
the fusion had been in favor of nom
partisanship in municipal affairs. But
the Republican organization Of New
York was not sincere in that conten-
ton. With them fusion was simply
means Of destroying the enormous
Democratic vote Of the city and turn
ing the government of the city over to
the Republicans. This would have
been great aid to Senator Platt in
carrying the state year from now.
They now insist that Mr.. Circuit and
Mr.. Fornes must leave the fusion tick
ct because nominated by Tammany.
The position is untenable. If non
partisanship in municipal affairs is
| right. the fact that Mr. Grout and Mr..
Fornes. both good men, are nominated