New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-13
FUSION In ELMIRA.
SITUATION MUCH IN FOG.
Republicans Willing, but Hungry
Patriots DO Not Want 1t Igain

II
Elmira' n y, July z (speciaD.-The patriots
who until L. r. Brockway's election as Mayor on
& fusion ticket two years ago depended on the city
government for their living are looking on the
present situation In this city with mingled hone
and apprehension. ''Wiu fusion be continued?" ask
the reformers VIII Elmira so back to its old
hloodthirsty, destructive political nghts?" ask the
business men. Are We 10 20 hungry for another
years? snarl the hungry partisans
Mayor Brockway probably has made more friends
and al the same time more enemies than any other
Mayor this city has had. II is generally ad-
mitted-even by the hungering ones in private
that Mayor Brockway has given the city better
administration than il has mad in wears And he
would probably again. Ii is said he SPANKED
The inmates OF the Elmira Reformatory while he
was Superintendent there and liked TO do It. This
was never proved. Certainly. he has spanked the
Ilmira politicians and has apparently enjoyed the
exercise.
AS il stands the Republicans are willing TO
fuse while the Democrats are coy. Daniel Shee-
ham, prominent merchant and Democratic state
committeeman who was Mayor before the job went
70 Coleman, German grocer, is said TO be anxious
10 Try his hand again. Many Democrats-some are
ms friends and some not-profess to be anxious to
see MIN try During his administration the city
went through one OF the btterest contests of its
history. The city government practically at
standstu for many months over a fight for the
many citizens who tell to-day how that fight
ended. its effects are remembered almost with
shudder. At least three large business enterprises
were driven from Elmira's gates by the bitterness
Of the accusations made by the contendng fac
lions.
These things may not be true said one man
who contemplating settling in the city in talk
;ng Of the charges and counter charges But
they are repeated so often and so loudly that they
carry conviction. They may be only part true. but
10 city be well governed where such charges
car even be made and gain credence with nearly
haf Of its population"
The Republicans have a large magazine of
lruairion manufactured from this administration.
nj be he
During Mayor Brockway's administration
spirit has entered the activities of the city
The Chamber Of Commerce has been organized
and every effort is being made TO revive bust
ness-and there IS plenty OF room for such effort
New enterprises have entered the community and
many are negotiating with the Chamber of
Commerce with the idea OF establishing here.
And now ask the boosters. is this blooming
city"-and they blooming. reay-"going to
make a pale pink Of itself by jumping into the
ut of partisan politics again? Are going
hear again leading business and public
called liars and thieves by irresponsible persons?
Are going to big business interests driven
from OUT gates by the heat Of political fray?"
Just what the answer is no seems to know
IN fac. Eln1ira IS about ''bossless'' city
could well be, and any statement ventuTing pre-
dicti0ns would have TO be backed UP by afldavits
and a bond TO be believed.
representative J. Sloat Fassett holds the key TO
The situation so far as the Republicans con-
cernod.
The Republican party has delegated me and
given NE power 10 confer with the Democratic
City Committee Fusion said Mr.. Fassett. in
an interview recently Il cannot say what will
be done until ! have had conference with the
Democrats I have asked them for a conference
but have received reply.
The Republicans. with the interests of the city
al heart were the ag1tators for fusion two years
ago, and accepted Nj. BroclIwey. who offered
by the Democrats The Republicans would like
10 know the situation with regard 10 fusion before
TIER city convention. week after next
John II. Connolly. president Of the Chamber Of
Commerce, has expressed himself in favor Of
fusion. not alone for the head Of the ticket. but
also for aldermen and supervisors.
4 believe best interests o the city
would be fostered by another fusion campaign"
he said Much has been started by the present
administration which I believe should be con-
rnUed under similar conditions"
One Of Mayor Brockways strongest supporters
is City Attorney Murtaugh. "Murtie'' the first
baseman on Cornels baseball all the while
he was in college, and he had a reputation OF
gong after, the high ones He is thought to be
after some high ones in the political field now.
He may for the Assembly, he may for
almost anything else in Chemung County. but Just
now he IS ardent supporter OF Mayor Brock
ways administration.
Fusion? Sure. That's the thing for Elmira
every time" said ''Murtie' a Tribune repre-
sentative yesterday. IT'S made home run and
rcw lot Of sore heads put it out first
strike II the next time il comes bat
10 town that needs boost much Elmira
Gees can afford 70 bunt with three on bases and
tso out partisan political campaign for Elmira
nov wclId be bUnt."
'ae newspaper merger here last week has put
the political situation in worse mudde than It
vas before The old Gazette" has been merged
some say 4bsoTbed-by its younger and more ener-
getc DeIghbor, The Star" and Elnlira has
ony one afternoon newspaper.
The star was supposed 70 be non-partisan, but
Ras accused OF having Republican leanings. The
Gazette always Democratic from the days
O. Dave" Hill, who founded II and owned It for
many years. After Hill boosted OF poll
tics IL the state and later IN Chemung County. the
policy Of The Gazette taken under the wing
Of Royal Soper then one of the bitterest political
lighters EniTa had. In politics he amounted
70 little beyond controlling the policy Of his pa
per, but to the who brought upon his
head Sopers dspleasure!
The Morning Advertiser is Republican, and its
policy is dictated by Representative Fassett. II
S1ll probably be helped by the merging Of the two
afternoon papers. but the Republicans doubt
have lost ally In The Star" 1t is not thought,
however, that The Star-GaZette'' will ever become
as bitter partisan the old Gazette In
the last analysis many think the newspapers
really hold the fusion situation in the palms Of
their hands. Il they begin their bitter attacks
each other and the opposing parties many business
men say, fusion viii be knocked into cooked hat.
There are rumors about the city that another
Afternoon paper viii be put in the field by the
Republican interests. This win not be done If there
Is likelihood Of fusion, and indeed, II is not
considered a probable move under any crcun-
stances.
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