The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-11-04
ELECTION
In New York One OF The
BiltGFGSt In History

New York, Nov. 1---Amid blaze of
oratorical pyrotechnics and political
rallies, one of the bitterest and at the
same time one Of the most important
municipal campaigns in the history of
New York City tonight reaches its
climax. The candidates and other
speakers will continue on the stump
almost until the opening Of the polls
next Tuesday, but for all practical
purposes the campaign may be said to
close with the big rallies to be held
tonight in every section of the city.
What will be the story told by the
ballots next Tuesday? The usual ex-
pressions of confidence, of course, are
emanating from the headquarters OF
the various candidates and parties, but
as matter of fact the situation today
is such as to render all guessing on the
results absolutely futile and worth
| less.
| There never has been a campaign
like it; there never has been a situa-
tion that could approach 1t for com
plexity and uncertainty. And there
never has been a campaign that could
exceed it in genuine bitterness and
vituperation.
In it's broader aspects the contest
does not differ from other mayoralty
fights that have taken place in New
York City in late years 1t is a
straight fight for and against Tam
many Hall-a fight by Tammany to
regain control of the city government
and millions in annual patronage and
battle by the opposition, carrying
the Fusion banner, to overthrow the
strongest political organization dom
mating any American city.
But unlocked for developments
since the campaign began have served
to complicate the situation. The
first event to upset the calculations
of the political leaders was the sud-
den death of Mayor Gaynor, who, had
he lived, would undoubtedly have
made hard fight for reelection as an
Independent candidate.
The removal of Mayor Gaynor from
the contest simplified the situation in
measure and unquestionably re-
lieyed the mind of Tammany Hall in
no small degree. Tammany never
relished the idea of Gaynor heading
an Independent movement. With but
two tickets in the field, the Tammany-
ties have declared right along that
they felt certain of victory
But no sooner was the Gaynor buga-
boo out of the way than the Sulzer
issue bobbed up to disturb the rosy
dreams of Leader Murphy and his
Tammany cohorts. There are many
, astute politicians who do not think
: it is putting it too strongly to say that
Sulzer is now the real pivot OF the
campaign The pro-Sulzer sentiment
mostly is confined to the East Side
where Sulzer is we'll known and liked
by the large foreign element. Tam
many realizes this and during the last
: week of the campaign has bant every
effort to save its East Side districts
The Tammany speakers have done
their utmost to force other issues tC
the front to obscure the Sulzer mat
ter. The Fusionists, on the Other
hand, have worked to keep the Sui
, ger issue in the public mind.
Edward E. Mccall, the Tammany
standard bearer needs little mention
Profiting by the mistakes of the pas
the organization carefully selected {
man who was considered not likely tC
, assert the independence displayed by
, Mcclellan, Gaynor and one or two
9 others after Tammany had set then
safely in the mayors chair.
Opinion differs as to the strength o
John Purroy Mitchell, the Fusionis
candidate for mayor. Mr.. Mitchell hal
a clean record and his capability fo
c Ilit OlllCe uS ocCho 10 uhduSShiOiA~S'
> He has been indorsed by every ele
ment of the Tammany opposition, eV
en- Mr. Hearst's independence league
}. which in previous campaigns has beel
a thorn in the side of the anti-Tam
@ many forces.
:. Disquieting to the Fusion leaders
y however, is the attitude of some Re
n pubhcans. They make no bones o
/ saying that they would have preferre'
:. District Attorney Whitman as the an
ti-Tammany candidate for mayor
: Should the present city ticket be vic
l. torious the Republicans would hav
!. only one of three officials. Controlle
h Prendergast. Mr. Mitchell is, c
course, a Democrat and Mr.. McAr
eny. candidate for president OF tn
!. board of aldermen likewise.