New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-21

But Bennett really believed nc Would
beat Mitchell Wednesday night, IN
stead of congratulating himself on the
amazing strength Of his support, as
shown in the early returns, he raved
against the plurality which Manhattan
gradually piled up against him. ms
to him was the unexpected, the disap-
pointing, element, despite the avowed
hostility of the organization. His
anger crystallized yesterday in his VIC
ious attack on Sam Koenig, the county
chairman.
Sam Koenig, by the way, might con-
ceivably be classed as an exception 20
the multitude that looked upon Bennett
as a negligible factor in the Repub!l-
can primaries. Mr.. Koenig would not
admit that he feared BENEFITS strength,
but ne took no chances. he was on the
lob day and night Wednesday, instead
Of going TO the theatre as he did four
wears before. Perhaps his experience
on that occasion served him as warn
ing.
Four years ago, it will be remem-
bered, Whitman's designation for Mayor
by the Fusion Committee of lo7 seemed
A certainty. The Progressives, with
Henry Moskowitz as their spokesman,
had indicated their willingness to sup
port Whitman against Mitchell, and
they held the balance Of power in the
committee. So, feeling sure OF the out
come, on the night We committee held
its historic meeting in the tltth ave
nue. Building, Sam koenig attended the
theatre And Mitchell was chosen.
Mr.. Koenig is not one 20 be caught
mapping q second time.
Sam saved the day for Mitchell,
though not necessarily in the manner
described by William NJ. Bennett. IN
doubtedly to the limi. of his ability and
strength the county chairman exhort-
ed. threatened and cajoled his leaders
and captains into getting out the
Mitchell vote. But the suggestion that
money was employed sounds tritle
ridiculous in light of the fact that the
Fusion committee, the fountain source
of funds, remained too confident OF sue
cess, to say nothing of the reputation
for probity enjoyed b. all concerned.
LET him have all the recounts he
wants" is the Mayors reply to the
Bennett wall, a sentiment which Sam
Koenig has publicly echoed and TO
which all the Fusion leaders have given
their ready assent.
But the Fusion leaders now realize
that their original plan 20 wage a yg-
orous pre-primary campaign for Mitchell
would have been wiser course than
the one they eventually followed o. let
ting Bennett talk on unanswered. Yet
in changing their plans they had ar
gued that Mitchels record spoke for
itself; that to defend it before the en-
rolled Republicans against Benefits
attacks suggested weakness, fear, lack
Of confidence in their cause. And, in
stead of sending speakers into every
district to reply TO Benefits charges
and 20 extol their candidate, they con-
fined themselves 20 circularization.
They sent out TO all enrolled Republi-
cans a day or so before the primaries
a circular letter signed by the most
eminent Republicans OF the city and
state urging support of Mitchell. Theirs
was a campaign Of literature against
speeches.
II didn't work Reverence for the
printed word is a myth in politics.
What counts still are the flow of pc
RODS from the platform, the flashing
eye and the pumping fist.
These leaders are fully awake now
to the need of the inarticulate method.
They are awake. too. 70 the fact that
their candidate, however undsputed
his merits in their eyes. has no walk
over. The opposition TO Mitchell in
the Republican ranks is interpreted as
not partisan but personal. or why
should Bob Anderson. Democrat. pile
up a plurality of $4,000 over his Re
publican opponent for the nomination
for President of the Board of Alder
men, They must persuade the Mayor
to show himself and speak out. par
ticularly in Brooklyn; to mingle with
the voters, particularly Brooklyn Re
publicans, engage in baby kissing and
back slapping; in short. TO conduct a
hot campaign along old-fashioned lines
with the object OF winning back those
overwhelming plurslities which swept
him into Office four years ago.
Why, four years ago Mitchell piled
up a plurality Of 10000 N Brooklyn,
where to-day ne finds his most serious
opposition. In the interim he has neg
lected Brooklyn. not only in the mat
ter Of patronage. but socially. His
Immediate task now is to WOO il back
to forgiveness.