An election for Mayor of New York City was held on November 8, 1892. Incumbent mayor Hugh J. Grant was not a candidate for a third consecutive term in office. He was succeeded by Thomas Francis Gilroy, who defeated Republican Edwin Einstein in a landslide. Gilroy's margin of victory "exceed[ed] by nearly 20,000 the greatest majority obtained by a New York mayoralty candidate in twenty-four years."
General election
The Tammany Hall political machine controlled much of New York politics during the period. Thomas Francis Gilroy, a leading figure in Tammany Hall and the commissioner of public works, accepted the Democratic nomination in October 1892. Despite this, he is often simply described as the 'Tammany candidate'. The main Tammany policies at the time were "firm, efficient, and honest government", low taxes, and opposition to Know Nothing xenophobia.
The Democratic candidate in the concurrent presidential election, Grover Cleveland, had been a staunch opponent of Tammany Hall, and Tammany had supported their own candidate for the Democratic nomination, David B. Hill. It was rumoured that Tammany would support the Republican Party in the presidential election if the Republicans left them to elect Gilroy and a slate of Tammany aldermen in New York City. Because New York was a key battleground state in the presidential election and held the most sway with 36 electoral votes, Tammany's support was important for either candidate.
Candidates
- Joseph A. Bogardus, hardware merchant and former president of the American Temperance Union (Prohbition)
- Edwin Einstein, businessman and former U.S. representative (Republican)
- Thomas Francis Gilroy, Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall (Democratic)
- Henry Hicks (Populist)
- Alexander Jonas, candidate for mayor in 1878 and 1888 (Socialist)
There was a "strong feeling ... in favor" of putting up a candidate among anti-Tammany Democrats. John Quinn was reported as a candidate for mayor, running on an anti-Tammany Democrat ticket, but he is not found on the ballot.
Results
According to writer Gustavus Myers, there was "as usual" widespread electoral fraud and in several districts, the opposition vote was "practically nothing". One Tammany politician was noted for having secured for Gilroy all but four votes in his district. The result was expected, with the American Register declaring in October that "Tammany will carry the election and make Mr. Gilroy Mayor."
Results by assembly district
References
