Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-21
mitchell is IMPEDIMENT
Succession as Mayor of Metropolis
Objectionable.
HAVENS MAY BE NAMEI
Sulzer to Be Reckoned With-Tam-
many Affiliations Against Him.
Republican Situation.
Special From Staff Correspondent.

NEW YORK, September 21.-With the
democratic state convention only eight
days off. the democrats are absolutely at
sea as to their guhernatorial nomination.
The condition is remarkable. There is
no factional struggle within the demo-
cratic party, as in the republican ranks.
Mayor Gaynor is undoubtedly the silent
choice of nine-tenths of the rank and
file. If he should but nod assent to
his nomination, it is doubtful If any other
name would be presented.
But the mayor still keeps silent. 1t is
recognized that there are reasons why
he may not be able to accept the nomi-
nation.
In the first place, there is the question
of his health. That bullet is still close
to the artery in his neck, a constant
menace to his existence.
1t will not have escaped notice that the
public prosecutor of Hudson county an
nounced a day or two ago he would lot
indict Gallagher, the mayors assailant
on a charge of assault with intent to kill
He might have to make it charge of
murder
He will wait until near the expiration
of the year within which the indictment
can be brought. Can there be more tragic
commentary upon the precariousness of
the mayors health than that statement?
Mitchell Considered Dangerous.
Another reason operating to discourage
the acceptance Of the gubernatoeval nomi-
nation by the mayor is that he would
have to turn over the administration of
the city affairs to John Purroy Mitchell,
who is Hearst's man. Already. these
Hearst people are smacking their lips
over the anticipated feast or power and
patronage.
Acting Mayor Mitchell has demanded
the removal of the police commissioner
whom Gaynor appointed. This demand
is regarded as striking object lesson of
what may be expected if Gaynor relin-
pushes his Office to the Hearst people.
His friends are appealing to him not
to throw them to the wolves. Truly the
mayor is between two fires.
II Gaynor cannot take the nomination
for governor strong man will be Ha-
vens of Rochester. He was elected to
Congress in the bye-election last spring
from district that had been solidly re-
publican for a generation.
That exploit has made capital for Ha-
venS. In addition he is a clean, able
fellow.
The Sulzer boom, of course, is still
active, and will have to be reckoned with.
The one great drawback to Sulzer's NOM
as a Tammany candidate and so as
sailed in the campaign.
The democratic leaders are moving eau
tiously. being solicitous to take no steps
which will lessen their brilliant prospect
for carrying the state this fall.
I'VE would like for once" said a demo-
cratic leader, Ito refute the familiar and
only too true saying that the democratic
party can always be relied upon to do
the wrong thing at the right time
Old Guard Dependent.
This was a blue Wednesday around re-
publican state headquarters. The gloom
could be cut with knife.
Some folks there imagined they could
hear loud chuckling down Oyster Bay
way. Bad news seemed to come in at
once from every quarter.
The smashing defeat of Vice President
Sherman was a crushing blow to the old
guard. They did not try to control their
chagr1n. There was no use trying.
William Barnes-good sport and two
listed fighting man that he is-tried to
cheer the boys. over the phone from AL
bany, with encouragement. But he did
not get far with 1t.
The fact was, the old guard leaders had
to acknowledge to themselves that the
defeat of Sherman. unquestionably, will
have great weight with the wavering and
doubtful delegations at the convention,
Roosevelt faction.
The state leaders also took notice of the
defeat of Olcott for denomination to
Congress, the defeat of Tawney in Mime
sofa, the demonstration of the progress
sives in New Jersey-none of which sound
ed good to them.
There is a covered passageway con-
Meeting the state headquarters building
with the grillroom of the Republican
Club. About all the comfort the politi-
clans got today was obtained there.
Legislature May Be Democratic.
Well. it has reached the point now
where republicans are beginning to fear
that there may be danger Of losing the
legislature this fall. And that. too, de-
spite that the state was redisHicted in
a way which was supposed to make such
a contingency almost impossible.
You will be surprised to learn that one
of the most prominent old line repub-
licans In the state, thoroughly posted on
conditions, remarked today that his party
might as well consider the possibility Of
a democratic landslide in New York
which would carry the legislature with
1t.
am sorry I cannot give you his name
1t was a private conversation. He could
not afford to be quoted, on account Of
his prominence in the party.
After what happened In Maine. all
things are possible this fall. in the opin-
ion of more than one republican here.
n. o. M.