New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-13
ALDERMAN FIGHT,
CITY'S BIG ISSUE
Redlstricting Advantage
and Fate of Fusion Gov
ernment Hang on Result.
BOARD NOW BELIEVED
SAFE FROM TAMMANY
Tiger and Republican Leaders
Oct Orders to Elect Candi-
dates at Any Cost.

This year, for the first time in the
political history Of the city, the csndi-
date for alderman is king. The As
sembly district leader In both the
Republican and the Democratic parties
has been told 70 spare no ehort 70 elect
hi. candidate or candidates for in
some Assembly districts there are two
or three aldermanic districts-for the
Board of Aldermen. Although little in
terest mas been aroused in the general
campaign, a desperate fight ia in prog
ress in every aldermanic district to win
in the aldermanic battle.
There ere two most important rea-
sons for this.
In the first place, under the constitu-
ton it devclves upon the aldermen 10
redistrict the Assembly districts In
this city next year It depends upon
the political complexion Of that board
whether tho new Assembly district
lines arc, in the main, favorable TO the
The second reason is that IL Is of the
utmost Importance to the fusion ad-
ministration to have q friendly Board
OF Aldermen for the last two years of
its term. Few people realize what vital
part In the operation of tho city gov
eminent il played by the aldermen. In
many ways they have the power OF con-
currence Of veto on acts Of the Board
a L AA&
working in harmony the dependence OF
one upon the other is not noticed. Blu.
if one board should fall into the hands
Of hostile party, the checking Of mum
nicipal activities, due TO a lack OF CO.
operation, would be most marked.
Tammany is anxious to get control Of
the board so "a 10 hold up the good
work Of the administration and prevent
accomplishment in the last two years
that would be a powerful argument for
the election of another anti-Tammany
government. To checkmate such pro-
gramme and to enable the fusion ad-
minstraticn 20 carry out its pro-
gramme 70 the end and make the cleo
ton Of another business administration
easy, the Republican party is doing its
utmost 70 keep the Board OF Aldermen
out Of thu hands Of the Democrats.
Those who are familiar with the pro-
ceedings Of the Constitutional Conven-
ton know what fight the Democrats
made to get a new basis for reappor-
tionment, one that would give this city
a greater number of Representatives in
the Assembly. They lost this fight.
But, leaving the basis the same,
changes in district lines and the carv-
ing out Of new districts under the
present reapportionment means ire
mendous lot to the Republican and
Democratic parties. IL is conceivable
that the redistricting could be done in
such a way as TO determine the COM
plexion of the Assembly in close years,
and. it follows naturally, determine the
political destiny of the state for the
following year.
The redistricting of Senate districts
is done by the Senate, but the local au-
thorities have the power of making
new Assembly apportionment and dis
trct lines. Under the constitution the
Board of Aldermen in this city must
meet on the second Tuesday in June in
every tenth year following 1895 and
divide each county into new Assembly
districts.
Under the present constitution the
entire Board or Aldermen, lncludlnS
the president and the borough prest-
dents. would act together in the re-
apportioning and redistricting in tbs
five counties In this city. II the new
constitution we're adopted, the members
elected from each borough or county
would meet and redistrct the Assembly
districts in their own territory. The
president of the board and the bor-
ough presidents would have no hand
in the proceeding. This change was
put into the new constitution at the In
stance of the Brooklyn members, who
are sure OF electing a majority OF
Aldermen whether the entire board is
Republican or Democratic.
The present Board of Aldermen is
fusion by substantial majority. Up
TO within a few days many of the
leaders were rather doubtful Of their
ability to keep the board from falling
into the clutches of Tammany Hall at
the coming election. However. within
the last few days those who have been
directing Che campaign for the fusion
forces have received reports that en-
courage them to believe they will be
successful.
TrYr W.T., rvrYTn nEnnnT