The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-10-29
SIMON STERNE AND HIS ASsOCIA TIES.
They Would No. LIE, worh,urmen Vote.

To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir few
years ago an amendment to the State Constitu-
ton was proposed providing that the city Of
New York should in effect be governed by q
Board Of Finance. the members OF which were
to be elected by citizens possessing property 10
the extent OF not less than $780, or who paid
IN annual rent Of $3.50 or more. Simon Sterne
was member OF the commission that drew
this PROPOSED amendmentt., Atam meeting held
those in favor Of this measure. Simon Sterne
was one Of the principal speakers. and made
constitutional amendment. According to the
report in the Times tOct. 23). he said:
Some barrier shall he permanently hxcd which shall
prevent the ncorryibc hummer and the hopeless pau,
per from being integral part OF the financial admins
traon Of great and growing cities We leave
to this hummer and this pauper all their civic rights
and more. But simply say to this hummer
and this pauper Please be modest enough not to insist
upon actually taking part You have not been able to
take Of small sum Of money Of your own in the
administration Of vast funds and large properties Of the
City Government. you who have not sufficiently I'D.
vanced in this world have $3.50 year pay for
the roof which yourself and family to have
$500 all told in the shape OF personal real property
do not ask to trust you in the participation Of the
penditure Of the twenty millions or thirty millions .
necessary to carry this general public partner
ship Of large city"
AS SlInOn DteTne IL HI the neau OF the So
called Citizens movement to put q municipal!
ticket In the field in opposition to the ticket Of
the united Democratic party his views in
respect to manhood suffrage are not without
interest. E. Randolph Robinson, who at the
meeting of self-organized committee the
other evening nominated Allan Campbell for
Mayor. was one of the speakers at the Stein.
way Hall meeting, He was strongly in favor OF
the property qualification for voters for MEM
bers OF the Board Of Finance. Edward Salo-
mon. one Of the officers Of the Steinway Hall
meeting. who was nominated for Judge OF the
Superior Court. was also in favor Of thus dis
franchising the great majority Of Democratic
voters in this city; The attempt to clog the
(which was abolished in this State over half a
century ago. signally failed.
As the law now stands.nnd as 1t existed then
the right to vote for all elective officers Gun
only be forfeited by Il conviction OF crime pun
ishable by imprisonment In the State prison.
Had the proposed stitutional amendment
thirds OF the Democratic voters OF this city
would have been DISTINGUISHED so far as the
right to vote for the most important Of our
city officers WAS concerned.
No real Democrat ought to cooperate with or
to countenance the movement Of Simon Stcrne
and his associates. who did all in their power
TO practically disfranchise the great mass OF
place them on level with State prison con-
victs.
The Democratic voters in this city. counted
by the hundred thousand. whom Simon Sterne
has stigmatized as bummers" and paupers."
on election day will teach him and his associ-
When the votes are counted even they will
have some respect for the Democratic masses.
New YORK. Oct rs. 1882.