The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-26
It Is Not So.

A Citizens movement without list OF
Vice Presidents and set Of resolutions to
start 1t on It's way rejoicing, would be some
thing unprecedented in New York; and
1t has been the conclusion arrived ut by
most intelligent observers that While the
Vice Presidents invariably bring to Citi-
zens' movement their individual votes, the
resolutions adopted by the Citizens bring no
votes at all. A fair illustration OF this prop
osition was afforded by Tuesday evenings
gathering which, along with resolutions
proclaiming the intention to cherish the
physical mental, and moral welfare OF our
whole people," adopted the following:
ResolVtd That the recent State legislation gives our
citizens unprecedented opportunity OF electnE capa
BILE mon who shall be administer their offices Rs
public trustA'
This Is strange language for an assem-
blage Of well-meanlng, Jealous, and enlight-
ened persons to adopt. 1t will be news to
most persons that this year. for the first
time, the people OF New York have an OPP
portunity Of electing capable men," They
have always had such opportunities. and 1t
will be revelation to most OF them that,
during all these years OF the city's
existence, they have been continu-
ously deprived of them. Who has
prevented the citizens OF New York
from electing capable menP They have
undoubtedly chosen great many public
servants whom the gentlemen assembled at
the Windsor Hotel do not approve; but what
prevented them from choosing othersT Our
reform friends furnish no details on this
point and yet the indictment they present
against the courage independence. and poit-
ical manhood OF their fellow citizens is one
which certainly requires corroboration.
The resolution which we have quoted also
declares that the persons chosen in the past
to fill various municipal offices have not
been free to administer such offices as
public trusts. This is startling announce
ment. and we hope our reform friends
have something to advance In support OF its
accuracy. But Is 1t 80 ? Who has prevented
public officers in this city from administer
ing their offices for tho public benefit
II such officers were inclined to adopt
an enlightened and public spirited
course, who terrorized them from 1t?
We have had great number OF able,
thoughtful. conscientious and patriotic men
In public Office In the city OF New York, who
| never asked any ones permission to do what
they thought was right. Yet the Citizens
| Committee inform us that now. Tor the
| first time, will our people be enabled and
permitted to choose capable men; and that
! for the first time men of this sort will be free
to administer their Offices as they think best
Those who are responsible for the resolu'
lions adopted on Tuesday night, evidently
know as little of what they are talking
about as do those who acquiesced in the
adoption OF these extraordinary, inaccurate
injudicious, unsupported. and incorporate
allegations.
As a matter OF fact the voters OF this city
have always been able to choose capable meI
for any ot1ice to DO filled by popular election
II they have not done it, it Is because they
were not 80 inclined, and 1t was nobody'f
fault but their own. The men they have So
lected have been at all times FREQ to admin
lister their otfices fairly, and when the citi
nenS at the Windsor Hotel state the con
traEy, they state what Is not true.
l No GOOD result can DO achieved By miSreD