Evening star., 1934-09-23
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Much Of the uncertainty regard
ing the outcome of the presidential
campaign Of so years
Iammanys ago was due to doubt
p,s;4;o, full position Of Tam
fosltlon. many. The Star of
September q, 1884, says:
The old question of a union of
factions on local nominations. which
troubles the democracy of New York
City and county in every presidential
canvass, is agitating the party now.
Tammany has indorsed Cleveland and
Hendricks, but the shrewd politicians
who control that organization have
reserved their trump card to play
later in the game. Local patronage
is vastly more important to Tam
many than Federal, and Boss Kelly
is reaching for the fattest municipal
positions in sight. 1t is given out by
prominent Tammany men that they
intend to nominate a straight local
ticket all the way through and If the
other factions want harmony they
must take it upon Tammany's terms.
The county democracy, which holds
the title of regularity in party coun-
ellis, early championed Gov. Cleve-
lands cause. Irving Hall joined his
support while, as is commonly known,
Tammany fought him at every step.
I'm order to get the full party vote
in New York County for the presi-
Dental ticket a union upon local
nominations is essential, for if there
is a contest between the factions over
=
will be mercilessly traded off for the
votes for the rival local ticket. 1t
would be the easiest thing in politics
for Tammany to arrange trade
with the local Republican bosses to
throw their strength for the Tam
many ticket in exchange for votes for
Blaine and Logan.
THE Republicans of the city natu-
rally want to retain the Federal posi-
tions which they have held so long.
so the election of Blaine Is para
mount to them. while the presidency
is a comparatively small matter to
Tammany if they can get the city
and county Offices. The Tammany
bosses know their advantage and ap-
parently they intend to profit by it.
They do not expect anything from
Cleveland in the event of his election.
Hence, as one of the Tammany lead
ers puts it in an interview, speak
ing of a straight local ticket: We
can't lose anything if We don't win,
because We havent's anything to lose
That is, if they subordinate every
thing to harmony and thus elect the
presidential ticket and a union local
ticket, their rivals, the county Demo-
Gratis, would have pretty much every
thing, while if Tammany puts up
straight ticket and wins, 1t regains
control of local patronage. That is
not manifesting much interest in
party success, but Tammany Is not
noted for devotion to party. 1t has
maintained its remarkable political
power by a close devotion to the
interests of Tammany and there Is
no concealment Of an intention to
pursue this policy In the present
canvass.
"Tammany's vantage ground in the
contest with its rival lies in the fact
| that it is the duty and the interest
of the county organization to make
sacrifices to save Cleveland. The
county Democrats were largely in
strumental in nominating him and
Tammany's view is that they will
not sacrifice him for the sake of local
| Offices If dissension should injure
Gov, Cleveland says a Tammany
boss, the counties will have to take
the blame This gives the key to
the position of the Tammanyites.
They will put the responsibility fof
q factional fight upon their rivals"