The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-24
THURSDAY, MARCH "a.
Mr.. McDeImott's Letter of Accept

Mr.. McDermott's Letter of Accept
Perhaps the most remarkable fea-
ture of Mr.. McDermott's letter of ac-
ceptance published yesterday was the
overwhelming sense Of responsibility
which it indicated. 1t was a surprise,
for everyone missed from it that airy
persihage that keen bright humor
which is one of the chief attractions
of Mr.. McDermott's usual style. On
the other hand, the letter showed a
seriousness of tone, an earnestness OF
purpose, which, while amply sug-
gested by Mr.. McDermott's active
career, never before so completely i'm
bued his utterances with q character
of conscientious conviction and high
resolve.
The letter more or less thoroughly
covers every point or issue that has so
far been raised in the campaign.
Mr.. McDermott tells what he
proposes to do, If elected, not in
vague or elusive ge~neralities but with
plain, clear. unmistakeable precis-
ion, which can, and is intended to,
leave him no loophole of retreat in the
future, while it leaves his advsrsaries
no opportunity for cavil now. Mr..
McDermott makes no wild promises.
The very care with which he circum-
scribes his pledges is the completest
evidence of good faith. Everything
he engages to do is not only possible,
but easy to an honest, able man. He
might have glibly promised Quixotic
lmpossibilities. Then there might
have been doubt of his sincerity; but
when a man keeps possibility and
probability we'll within view in max
ing his pledges. he is pretty apt to in
tend to realize them.
At the same time, the sum total of
what MI. McDermott engages himself
to give the city is no mean accom-
plishment. II 1t be even half real
lied, it will make a new town of Jer-
sey City. Here are the main items:-
The discharge of unnecessary and
unfit employees and officials.
Clean streets.
Pure water.
Reduced debt.
Lower interest charges.
New and fair assessment of property
for taxation.
More and better schools.
Come, Mr.. Scudder, what more dc
you askg What more could you do,
Mr.. McGee, if you were Mayor, OF
what more could your man WanseI
give us?
We have heard the remark made
that Mr.. McDermott's letter was toe
defensive in tone. We do not think
so. 1t is not a campaign speech.
1t is not designed to have a ''hur-
rahn effect. 1t is a solemn presenta-
ton to the people by Mr.. McDermott
of his whole claim to their suffrages
at this time, and it would have been
a mere affectation, il not an absolute
weakness, to ignore the reproaches
that had been leveled at him and the
charges trumped up against him. II
must be remembered that the cam
paign is not new. 1t is nearly two
weeks old. If Mi. McDermott had
not answered his critics, the cry would
have been raised that he was afraid,
that he had no reply TO make.
As it is, his answers are final.
have held offices, he says, show me
where l have failed to make my
tenure ~serviceable to the public?
have been counsel to accused Grim
inals. 1t is my sworn duty as a law,
yer, and / should be a coward If ]
shirked that duty because the cause
of these men is unpopular, and
might suffer politically through es'
pousing it.
You accuse me of favoring a railway
corporation. / tell you have no in.
terest in it whatever; / have never
had a fee from a railway in my life.
Mr.. McDermott owed it to himself