New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-03
Deserved Defeat.

For every citizen ana particularly ioi
every Republican in this city and county
the figures in yesterdays election have an
unmlstakable meaning. Elsewhere the
nation over there are ursnistakaole evil
dences Of return TO Republican strength
In the state at large the Republican plu-
ralities recall the more prosperous years
preceding the Progressive Split.
In the face Of this unHistakable drift
New York County has elected Tammany
Sheriff and Tammany District Attor-
ney by impressive majorities. Two years
ago Judge Mccall lost Manhattan by
$4,000; a year ago Martin II. Glynn car
ried it by but 5000. Set these figures
against those of Judge Swami and ex'
Speaker Smith and the meaning is clear.
This is what single year of Republi-
can control at Albany has meant for the
people of this city and county. Not al
the scandal of the Sulzer days, still re-
cent, not all the moral indignation which
was revealed in the campaigns of 1913 and
1914 has weighed in the balance against
the deliberate plundering of the city by ar
upstate Legislature, Republican in its ma
iority and truly rural in its spirit.
The Republican defeat in Manhattan
the Tammany majority, are directly pro-
portioned and based upon the S19,000,O0C
direct tax imposed to supply the Republi
can party in the state with patronage and
prepare the way for the state and national
campaign year hence.
New York City has been once more
made the victim Of Republican rule, and
New York City has struck back. The
excessive taxation, the budget swollen by
s14,O0O,0OO of direct tax levy, largely
unnecessary, these things were unmis
takably in the minds of the voters yester
day. Quite as clearly they remembered
that such voices as were raised in protest
against the direct tax, however hypocriti
CAL were those of Tammany Assemblymen
while Republicans from this city ant
county remained silent.
Ten years ago a Republican machine
united, triumphant, apparently secure Fl
it's power, began the systematic campaigr
against this town, put into operation by &
variety of indirect taxes the plan to make
New York City bear the cost of state gov
eminent, and of wasteful and extravagant
state government. Despite the warnings
Of few courageous New. York member:
of the Legislature this policy was pursued
until the Republican party acquired de
served unpopularity, which lasted unit
the great wreck.
To-day similar policy has brought
similar consequences. All the past evils Of
Tammany Hall have been forgotten in con
sequence of the present abuse Of Republi
can rule. New York has gone back t
Tammany to escape the present evils 0,
excessive taxation and Unfair discrimi
nation.
1t is impossible to see in the local cleo
ton anything but a reputation of TIT
state administration. 1t is difficult to Sc,
anything but menace in the future i
the policy of the last year is followed thi
year at Albany.
The Republican party in this state ha
succeeded, the Republican party in thi
county has been defeated and the bitter
est thing is that the defeat has paved tn
way for a Tammany return. Those Repub
Leans in the Legislature who believed
their duty TO their party was greater thar
TO their own constituency will find the re
turn from their own constituency interest
ing and perhaps instructive.
Until there is Republican party il
this city and county courageous enough u
represent New York at Albany and fgh
Republicans as well as Democrats, whel
city interests are at stake, we shall hav
the familiar and vicious circle of loca
revolutions, first against Tammany ant
then against the Republicans, revolution
which lead nowhere and are barren O
profit for the citizen.
The local defeat was deserved. Tn
Republican candidates were thorough,
capable and worthy, not the smalles
question of their integrity or fitness wa
raised; but they were helpless sacriic
TO the popular resentment excited by
Republican Legislature, which sought new
methods to clear rural frog ponds at III
expense Of New York City taxpayers.