New-York tribune., 1921-11-20
Election Post-Mortem
Analysis of Coalition Failure-No Real Fusion Of
Anti anmany Forces

, others, howSver, at least in Manhattan,
lacked the ability to reach and stir
their audiences. The campaign meet
ings were SO uniformly unenthusiMstic
as to forecast the defeat that followed.
The second major factcr IN the do
feat was tho insistcnce by each candi-
date on his individual Importance. In
former years the bulk Of the campxiSn-
ing was done for an entire ticket and
the activities OF each individual dis
tinctly subordinated to efforts made on
behalf Of the group. OF course. IN all
but one Of the prior mayoralty cleo
tions that have taken place since the
greater city was chartered, the form Of
ballot was different Theirs formerly
was provision for voting d straight
party ticket, and this fact possibly
stimulated the appeal to the voters to
vote straight"
The Massachusetts ballot now in use
compels 3 vote for each candidate sep
arately. Each accordingly wanted to
be considered on his individual merits.
In following this line, however, the va
rious campaign managers lost sight of
the fact that candidate can rarely
win if the group with which he is af-
filiated does not at least approach VIC
tory.
One serious resultant effect upon the
so-called coalition campaign was lack
OF money. Campaign funds were raised
for each candidate, while the central
treasury languished with funds far be-
low even the most moderate legitimate
needs.
third major factor in the defeat
was the absence of anything like an
Intelligent discussion of fundamental
issues. This again was quite prob
ably in part consequence of the idea
that each individual candidate should
thrust himself forward and sneak
mainly Of his own merits and record
The writer believes it to be true that
victory against Tammany Hall can
never be won except by a vigorous at
tack and by full exposure of it's mis-
government and of its fundamental
corruption.
Further. the appeal must be made on
plane acceptable to the independent
and intelligent voters of the city. This
year, however, the main issue was
framed not by the anti-Tammany forces
but by the present Mayor. Worse than
that, his challenge was accepted in q
way that conceded the justice of his
own claims. The traction issue was
vital factor in the campaign from the
outset. Instead of meeting Mayor Hy-
lan's claim that he was for q scent
fare and had safeguarded the interests
of the city by cold facts and argu-
ments that should have shattered his
pleas, Mr.. Curran was jockeyed into
the position of saying "me tool also
have always been for a scent fare"
The last major factor is the effec
tiveness Of an alliance between a news
paper run for profit and without
sense of public responsibility and
demagcgic candidate who is willing to
appeal for votes on the same low plane.
Such combination is dangerous in
deed, fundamentally dangerous to the
democracy in which we live Unfor-
tunately, this appears to be the age Of
the demagogue. Our new leaders be-
come influential not by combating
popular prejudice when it is wronp but
by catering to it. Hylar's success has
been followed by hosts Of imitators.
The recent election is an unhappy
augury for the future. S.M.I
New York, New. 10, fe21.