The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-28
MODEST HENRY GEORGE.
He Wal Run for Mayor of New York if 10000
Votes Are Pledged in Advance.

New YORK, Aug. 27-Delegates from nearly
avery trades-union in this city crowded Claren-
don Hall last night at the conference held there
by those members of trades and labor associ-
ations who propose to take an Independent
stand in politics and nominate their own candi-
dates for number Of municipal Offices which
will become vacant this fall Mr.. James P.
Archibald acted as secretary and John Mac
Mackin as president. Mr.. Archibald opened
4he business by announcing that he had re-
eeIved communication from Henry George.
in answer to an inquiry he (Archibald) had
made as to Mr.. Georges willingness to accept
the nomination for Mayor. Mr.. Georges letter
says that it is nowhere more necessary than in
New York to make municipal politics mean
something more than a struggle for Office
New York highways, docks and sanitary arrange
ments are far inferior to those Of first class Eu-
Topean cities The great mass of her people
must live in ntenement-houses packed closer than
people are anywhere else In the world. Her
parks, such as they are, are beyond the reach of
most of the people, and hundreds Of thousands
of her children find their only playground in the
streets. The great body of her citizens have.
therefore, deeper interest in her government
than the question whether this or that set of pol
iticians shall divide the spois. Here in America
monstrous wealth and monstrous want make the
most shocking contrast. In America the ballot
is the only instrument of reform. Mr. George
goes on to say:
''Yet before I can accept the nomination.
wish to have it clearly shown that the working
meh of New York want me to be a candidate, and
will support mo with .their votes. I have no
dread of finding myself in minority; but
enough so-called labor movements have proved
failures. 1t seems to me that the only
condition on which il would be wise for labor
convention to nominate me, on which should
be justified in accepting such nomination,
would be that at least &c, 600 citizens should over
their signatures, express their wish that should
become a candidate, and pledge themselves to 60
TO the polls and vote for me- This would be a
guarantee that there should be no gnominious
failure and mandate that could not refuse
On this condition, therefore, would accept the
nomination, If rendered. Such condition,
know, is an unusual one, but something unusual
contempt with which workingmen's nominations
have come to be regarded in the confidence that
Is necessary for success. 1t may be harder to
get 30 600 signatures in advance than, with the
confidence thus engendered to bring several times
that number Of voters to the polls; but unless
there Is in the movement earnestness enough to
do hard things, 1t is idle to enter upon the work"
what fabbergasted the labor politicians but the
main part of the audience eheered loudly. John
Bealm, brass worker said the laboring classes
would be benefited by bringing the land ques-
tion into local politics. The laboring man was
trodden upon by corrupt politicians, he con-
tinued, and cited Squire and Flynn as EXAM
pies Not only would 10000 men sign the re-
quest for Mr. George to become a candidate for
Mayor. but would put a one-dollar subscription
behind their names A number of committees
were appointed. to report at the next meeting,
which will be held Sept 2