not resist the threat that "if there is to be peace between us, let the Albany legislators try an entirely different policy." James Gordon Bennett reminded the public that he had predicted the election of Governor Fenton, because of the principle for which the latter stood. Governor Fenton is elected by a vote just large enough to express the State's endorsement of that policy, and just small enough to show that it is on that issue alone, despite his own weakness and imbecility, that he has been successful." 2 66 The leading Republican organs were a unit against the imputation of the World that "The recent elections have been carried by the Radicals on false pretences," as “deceitful maneuvers preliminary to the Presidential election" through which they may say "whether the Southern electoral votes shall be counted."3 The self-evident moral of the election for the Southerners, seen through Republican eyes, was to submit to the inevitable and ratify the amendment.* The comments of the State journals were various. cise laws and commissioners depriving us of local freedom, they hoped to swell the Radical vote, but it has had a directly opposite effect. Why not try another course? Treat us fairly, deal justly by us, and perhaps this widening chasm between the city and State may be bridged. Things cannot go along as at present. The city will not consent-cannot consent to this perpetual tyranny of the rural districts." 'Ibid., Nov. 8, 1866. 'New York Herald, Nov. 8, 1866. Bennett neutralized his influence with the Radicals and Conservative Republicans by denouncing the excise. The World (a) and the Herald (b) had an amusing postelection clash; the former taunted the latter with failure to exert any influence upon the election, which was hotly denied. (a) New York World, Nov. 7, 1866. (b) New York Herald, Nov. 8, 1866. New York World, Nov. 8, 1866. 'New York Herald, Nov. 8, 1866: New York Tribune, Nov. 9, 1866: New York Times, Nov. 9, 1866. The Democratic or National Unionist organs found it difficult to adjust themselves to defeat. Mr. Cassidy of the Argus suggested that the mission of Democracy was to hasten the national cure by precipitating the crisis. The Argus, with the Hudson Register, the Newburgh Press, the Troy Press and the Utica Daily Observer, devoted their editorial attention to showing that the Republicans had used large sums in the State and Congressional elections. These charges were rebutted by claims of heavy bribery in the Democratic districts and New York City. The Rochester Daily Democrat gave Messrs. Weed, Seward, Pruyn and Cassidy the credit for furnishing the major portion of the National Unionist funds. The Syracuse Daily Courier and Union was the least depressed of all the Democratic journals. “We have met the enemy and we are truly theirs," read the graceful tribute; "Truth has once more been crushed to earth, but we have the proverbial assurance that it will yet rise again and prevail.' The signal failure of the Democratic and Conservative coalition, under the guise of the National Unionist party, gave the Republican papers rich food for editorial reflection. "Loyalty must rule and traitors take back seats."" Democracy has received an opportunity to unbosom itself. There is a chance for the display of its righteous indignation."7 "New York State and the country have 'Albany Argus, Nov. 8, 1866. Cf. Hudson Register, Nov. 7, 1866, et seq.; Newburgh Press, Nov. 7, 1866, et seq.; Troy Press, Nov. 7, 1866, et seq. Utica Daily Observer, Nov. 9, 1866. Rochester Daily Democrat, Nov. 8, 1866. Syracuse Daily Courier and Union, Nov. 8, 1866. Rochester Daily Democrat, Oct. 16, 1866; Nov. 8, 1866. Binghamton Daily Republican, Nov. 10, 1866. 'Syracuse Daily Standard, Nov. 7, 1866. I escaped from a dictator." "Mr. Johnson-take heed." These sentences give the gist of the Republican sentiment. At greater length the Buffalo Express declared that "the voice of the people has been overwhelmingly declared against Andrew Johnson, his 'policy,' his pet rebels, his pseudo-conservative' ring of office-hunting politicians and the revarnished Democratic party to which he has returned as a dog to his vomit."3 Carroll E. Smith confined his remarks chiefly to the election on the State: "The corrupt practices of the Common Council chambers of the metropolis will not be transferred to the larger sphere of the legislative halls at Albany." The Albany Evening Journal confined its views to still narrower space. It advised the Conservatives and War Democrats of the metropolis that they still had some cause for thanksgiving that the "intelligence and patriotism of the rural districts" had saved the State from the social vandals."5 THE NEW YORK CITY CHARTER ELECTION OF 1866 The State elections were hardly a matter of history before the local politicians of New York City began to prepare for the City Charter election, which was held on December 4, 1866. The leading office was that of comptroller of the City; in all there was a total of ninetytwo offices to be filled. The number of candidates for 1Utica Morning Herald, Nov. 8, 1866. 'Buffalo Express, Nov. 9. 1866. 'Syracuse Daily Journal, Nov. 7. 1866. * Albany Evening Journal, Nov. 8, 1866. Nine aldermen, an entire board of councilmen, twenty-four in number, seven school inspectors, and two school trustees in each ward, forty-four in all. office created considerable interest in each ward, but on the whole the campaign proved dull. The chief interest centered in the office of comptroller. Matthew T. Brennan, the incumbent, despite great pressure brought by the Ring, refused to accept a renomination.' Brennan had been vigorously assailed by the Republican organs' and the Citizens' Association for malfeasance in office. Charges of criminal misappropriation of funds had been brought against him, to investigate which Governor Fenton appointed a commission. Comptroller Brennan denied these charges3 in a long letter of justification, and brought charges of corrupt practices against the "young lawyers" in charge of the Citizens' Association. Although Greeley had demanded a Democrat for the anti-ring candidate, the Republican party selected Judge Richard Kelly, a man of integrity and independent tendencies. Tammany and Mozart Hall chose a loyal son 'New York World, Nov. 17, 1866. The most flagrant charge against him was the presentation, without authority of law, of $50,cco from the Treasury as a testimonial" to Orison Blunt for his "ratriotic services in having the quota of soldiers due from the city, in that dark hour of our country's peril, reduced nearly one-half." New York Tribune, Nov. 28, 1866. 'New York Tribune, Nov. 28, 1866. 'Brennan claimed that his innocence had been proven beyond doubt in the case brought against Corporation Counsel Develin. 'New York World, Nov. 20, 1866. 'New York Tribune, Nov. 12, 1866. "Bennett in his issue of Dec. 2, 1866, ridicules Greeley for his former and present opinion of the character of the Republican candidate. The Herald took little interest in the campaign (New York Herald, Dec. 2, 1866) because Bennett thought the candidates were all equally bad. Greeley threw himself open to further ridicule, later, by his high recommendation of George G. Barnard as a possible candidate. The Times spoke of Kelly as a man "of energy and good administrative ability." Mr. Kelly had held the office of police justice for several years. In 1863 he was re-elected in a district usually giving about a 4000 Democratic majority. 2 in Richard B. Connolly,' of whom we shall hear more. The other Democratic organizations were divided between Richard B. Connolly and Police Justice Michael Connolly, the irregular Democratic candidate. The Citizens' Association put up no regular candidate. Except the Tribune, the Republican papers in the City took little interest in the affairs of the campaign.3 The campaign was carried on at small ward meetings. The main demand from the Radicals, Conservatives and Independent Democrats was for an honest administration of the City's finances, while the Democrats hurled back the charges of dishonesty. Public interest on election day was unusually slight. This fact is shown by the total vote for comptroller, which numbered only 71,595. This was a trifle over half the total vote polled for the Governor one month previous. The Tammany candidate, Richard B. Connolly, as most expected, was elected. His majority over Richard Kelly, the Republican candidate, was 2,066.5 The reason assigned for the low Democratic vote was that the impression prevailed among them that the Albany legislature intended to nullify the result of the election by a complete reorganization of the financial department of New York City. Among the better class of citizens 1 1 New York Times, Dec. 2. 1866. Richard B. Connolly had held the office of county clerk for two terms and had been twice elected to the State senate. He was regarded by his associates as a "good-fellow" but uncertain. 'New York Times, Dec. 3, 1866. 3 New York Tribune, Dec. 5, 1866. 'New York Tribune, Dec. 5, 1866. "Ibid. The Tribune, Nov. 12, 1866, said of him: "He is a man of decided shrewdness and energy, widely popular, and a determined foe to the corruptionists." "New York World, Dec. 5, 1866. |