The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-20
A Great Test OF Popular Suffrage.

The very great registration IN New
York affords an impressive demonstra-
ton Of the largely increased Importance
OF municipal election in the estimation
OF the citizens, as compared with past
periods in the history OF this town. The
time was when only an election for Presi-
dent and, secondarily, an election for
Governor, aroused public interest so
greatly that the electorate was stirred
up to the exercise of its privilege Of the
franchise in anything like full measure.
This year, even before the municipal
canvass had fairly begun, there was
registration which in its magnitude is
close even to that for the extraordinarily
exciting election of 1900. 1t is 3s,s9s
more than the registration for the cleo
ton for Governor last year. The great
est previous registration in a municipal
election, that in 1901. when Mayor Low
was elected, is exceeded this year by
about 1900.
Such degree of interest in the coming
election is remarkable, almost unique,
under the circumstances. In 1900 long
period of canvassing had preceded the
registration and the whole Union was
thoroughly aroused. Every other in
terest, even of business, was subordi-
mated to the political. Last year at the
election for Governor the falling off in
the registration as compared with the
Presidential election Of 1900 was over
$4,000. This year in New York and Brook
lyn the total registration is only about
$4,000 less than in that exciting Presi-
dental election
We shall not undertake to draw any
specific differences from this remarkable
registration, whether, for instance, it is
relatively larger or smaller in Assembly
districts accounted Tammany strong
holds than in districts where the voters
for decency are assumed to be most
numerous. All attempts at such COM
PARSONS two weeks before an election
are likely to be deceptive. The unknown
and unknowable element Of the problem
is the number Of votes which will be
cast by each side in district whether
by desency.
The great strength OF Tammany in the
past has been below Fourteenth street,
and more especially on the east side Of
the town. 1t may be assumed that if
Tammany wins it will be by the majori-
ties 1t rolls up there, and the experience
of the municipal election of 1901 indicates
that its only hope this year is in increas-
ing the majorties it then obtained there.
But the conditions, both social and politi-
cal, have very much changed in that
most crowded part Of the town from
what they were when Tammany could
rely on it to overwhelm any majorities
in other parts of the city. A new popula-
ton, different in races, has come in and
It does not seem to be as amenable to
Tammany discipline as was the old. 1t
Is freer and more Independent in its polt-
zeal action. Tammany traditions do not
appeal to it as they did to the former oo-
cupants Of the region. Will Tammanv
get as large majorities there as it did at
the last municipal election? Can it hope
to increase them? Will it even be able
to maintain them? The East Side minor
ity against Tammany showed increased
strength in 1901, and is it not likely that
the increase will show itself next month
even more impressively?
The more general and more active in
terest the electorate Of New York are
taking in politics, and more especially in
the municipal election, is manifestation
full Of encouragement The population
OF New York is the most heterogeneous
in race OF any community of the world
or which has ever been gathered to-
gether in the history OF the world. In
the whole city only about one-ffth are
natives OF native parentage, on Man.
haitian Island only about one-sxth.
Does this heterogeneity of the electorate
bode i'll for government by popular
suffrage?
The evidences point the other way. As
the race diversity has increased the frac-
ton OF the electorate which neglects to
exercise the franchise, the highest privi-
lege OF citizenship, becomes smaller
rather than greater, and particularly the
interest in municipal election seems to
be more general and more earnest. The
day has passed when victory came as a
matter Of course, or by default, to the
well disciplined hosts of Tammany. The
liquor saloon has lost very much Of it's
old power over an election. Never before
could a canvass which made its appeal to
the sense OF deccncy of the citizenship,
to it's moral sense be pursued so hope
fully as now.
This election, as II test of the ciyiliza-
ton OF the heterogeneous race elements
constituting the electorate OF New York,
will deserve the consideration of the
whole American people and Of all stu
dents OF social and political conditions
throughout the world for here in New
York, and more particularly on Man.
haitian Island, is being solved question
OF the highest significance in the history
OF mankind. Here popular suffrage is
put to its supreme test. The theory
has been fashionable that while universal
suffrage may work well az whole, it
Ia unsuccessful in the government Of a
great community populous city.
The facts, however, have been against
the theory, Whatever the shortcom-
lngs in our municipal government, il