New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-22
SEVENTH sennsorinI District
THE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION AND Sfp. GEORGE W
MLEAN'S CARD

THE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION AND Mp' GEORGE W
MLEANS CARD,
Tt n. Edi,o- # The N Y Tribune
SIR: have read with regret the card against
the CITIZENS ASSOCIATION published by Mr.. George \"
McIea convinced that il is an act his calDer luug
meut canno. approve because based on total miSun
Outstanding OF the facts Mr.. Mclean in the recent
Sopo,oral contest was not the nolince Of the Citizens
Association though oheerfaly Endorsed by that BODY
and recommended 10 the intelligent and Tsspeotaoie
voters Of the District.
The Association being abog equally male up OF gen
tornon beoncing 70 the Union and Democratic paru@
did not intend 10 take any part vhatever'n the N"Vem
her contest INT 10 reserve It's strength and resources
! for the DeeeEber OF Charter Election IN when no
pojtcal ssurs are al stake but simply those oil REFORM
and economy in our local government.
From this resolve the Association was partially di'
y,ted by TIE Representations Of many gentlemen pro-
Tossing 70 know the schemes Of the Ring ard tha'
promineAt among these was one for ex'endlps the
terms Of tie present Street Commssioser, Chy In
spector and Controller ly some legislative enactment
10 be smugged. through next Winter at Albany.
Under this pressure Q committee of the Association
was finally induced to indorsc the previously made
nominations of Col NJ. w-Burns IN the Fourth sehe'
torisl District; he Hon Daniel NJ. oBren in the
Fifth; the Hon. Abraham Lent In the silth' ana
George w. Mclean IN the Seventh; but with dis.
tnct and clear understanding that beyond tins inHofse
ment nothing should be done. The Association was
not to have boxes in the Dsriee and not to be liable
for any expenses Of the candidates. although finally
IL did spend large sun in sending circular posting
bills advertising &C. in the interest q The gentlemen
il had indorscd Only in one instance did the Assoca
tion give any material aid to any Of the candidates thus
runnng and in that exceptional case the aid was
limited TO the nlsTes Of election day, and
was then only given because the Mcheon organization
appeared to have prospect Of getting boxes tickets
&C.. in any other manner.
This refusal of the Citizens Association to take part
in the November contest, perhaps necessity of
their position a non.partissn ,body, not mixing ii
any political Iconest; bat was strongly against the
Judgment Of the present writer Who urged that little
effort and Expenditure nade IN November would have
controlling effect the December contest IL wa-
urged by him and many others that active support and
material hely sloud be extended TO Col Barns aud The
:, Hon. Daniel NJ. O'Brien in particular as both these
gentlemen were fighting against hcavy odds and with
but limited resources Of their own. II was also urge,
that help should be given 10 Mr. Mclean but this
= not so strongly urged, both hc and the gentlemen
: most actively backing him were men OF wealth. Wit
y large property Interests at stake in securing reducto
T. Of ta1stion.
q Had these points been raised pressed upon the As
R. sociaon in time there k every probability thar thei
N importance would have been conceded and acted upon
10, but il was only at the eleventh hoIs that they wen
raised and pressed and il then found impossible q
get meeting Of the Association 10 authorize the eI
y penditrres desired 1t had been heretofore the poc
n Of this body of ind dependent citizens 10 take only ind
n yidnal part according to their political preference IL
the November contest or any other involving polca
a. .J al,
d. few active mansping men could not depart without
70 such saaction from the Association it foun,
impossible TO obtain in the brief time allowed.
= : As to the action Of John j. Phelps WIN. L. Dodg'
and John H. Sherwood members OF the Citizens Asso
!" citation, Of whom MI. Mclean complains that they
a. opposed him though he indorssdapd nendeC
a. by their organization, two points may be stated First
D. they not directly Of the Committee who indorsed
y Mr.. Mclean. nor were their sgued to his in
N dorsement. If their appeared his cards
n all as doabt they did-t az members Of other
standing committees and not the temporary ndoroug
4 comDittee) Of the Association; and Second that
members of the Association they bound by iis in
y dorsemeuts, and before opposing Mr. Mclean ~ they
did so) should have resigned their ueu.beIsbp; and
not having done 90 should be struck from Tho
rolls. .,..- ..
The fact is that Mr. Mclean did an excellent work il
was only defeated himself by the strength Of Mr. Muir
ply outside Of the Union party strength partly ofrace
fparily Of religion and partly honest gratitude fo
the help Mr. Murphy has 10 often and literally eX
tended toward the erection OF churches and other pab
lie institutions Of his faith 1t was his aad
this rioas influence that elected the succestCl eand
date added the fact thot bis life has been blaneess
far as known. ard ta his contracts with the Gov
enmenf. though very lucrative and large, never
7 complained Of as involving any dishonesty.
10 attacking the Citizens Association, therefore.
der these circumstance, Mr. Mclean only injuries
friends who dd then utmost houg il moi enough
10 elect him and directly plays into the hands Of the
he has lately been depounciDg as coirnptioDsts
and lobby-sbarks" This is which the writer
who knows him well-feels convinced that Mr..
MeLesns calmer Judgment will not pmsue spproyej
for can certainly be good reason for perpetnaung
prof igacy and wismansgement ia the two highest
Offices Of city government that two three in
dyiduals Of the Citizens Association may have
"bolted the indorsee Of their party in Senatorial
contest. .t..
This letter is from one than whom Mr. Mclean had
10 more active friend IN the reoeDt contest H.
Sst York Novel,, 1905.
Tam.,nHy Convention Report OF the Con-