New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-17
EX-MAYORS ON MAYORS.
THEY DISCUSS POSSIBLE CANDIDATES.
.nRAM S. HEWITT SAYS TAMMANf MUST BE
nvArEN. NO MATTER swHo HEADS IT'S

,o,v c y,EwIrT SAYS, TAyIMANY MUST BE
pvArEN. NO MATTER swHo HEADS IT'S
rICKEr-vIEws OF OTHERS.
Tho Navoralty contest this year is unlike any
that has taken placesin the city of New-York for
years and in some respects it is unique The
decadence OF Tammany in consequence or the ex-
posure OF It's methods The disintegration or para
Site political organization. which hourished under
rammany protection. and the sca1nper from inc
sinking ship of the great Number OF people WIN
want to be on the winning side. Will cause tne
proceedings of both parties to be watched wiz"
more than ordinary interest. "Wha' VIII oe ~. ~
and who will be nominated?' are the ques"o,'
uppermost with those who are Interested III '"e
welfare OF the city. and none the less VIII" ''0'
who make politics a business
A citizen Of high standing writes 10 The Irioune'
Last April you published the opinions OF ne en
Mayors Of New-York concerning the CHy 'u'.
and what they said was read with mnch interest,"
am sure. Would IL not be well 10 let your ie
know what our ex-Mayors think as TO the proper
person to nominate for Mayor this fan!
Acting on this suggestion the ex-MayorS WIN
are now IN New York were seen and their Ne"S
on the subject are given below:
THE NESTOR OF THE MAYORS.
Daniel F. Tiemann. the venerable dean OF the
ex-Mayors when seen in the cosey library oil MS
Audubon Park home. said
ut seems so long since 1 was Mayor OF New
York, and things have undergone so many changes
since 1882 that handy one TO advance olih-
ions on what should and what should not be done
in the matter of selecting a man to fl the hgh
place. And then" added Mr. Tiemann. you see
am no party man in the strict sense OF the ter'h'
and know that have in my day considered good
citizenship more than party. and have voted TOT
friends when. II a strict party man. / shouid
have been against them. 1 remember very as
tinctly when said to my old friend. Horace Gree
ley: Greeley. you'll be defeated sure-put " vote
for YOU "
Mr.. Tiemann gave an account of his candidacy
for the NIayoralty and said, among other things:
81 was elected by the citizens party. and not by
any one faction. party or clique went INTO
office free TO pledges. and therefore was com
petent to do the right thing by the CITY Now
that IL what you want to-day. You don't want
me-" he said, with merry chucke. but you I'M
darstand what I mean you want man who Is a
good citizen, ana who would rather be that than
a good party man" Going back again 10 MS own
experience Mr.. Tiemann said
"When took possession OF the Mayors Once mad
no clerk had never thought of the matter In fact
ill after the election and then didn't take me long
IN decide asked young Jerry Aud whom knew
TO be a clever young man. TO become Mayors clerk
But said Aud. L don't know II can DO the WORK,
and then, Mr.. Tiemann. do you Know that Vo'eu
for Fernando Wood and against you? Thats all
right told him. and he became my CLERK ana
Rober. Scott, another man who did not expect the
appointment. made private clerk
NEVER A STRICT PARTY MAN.
81 tell you all this just show you that even
then was strict party man. and years nave
not made me one. During my administration. from
1853 10 1852 appointed. or was responsive lot 'he
appointment of. ia officers. and OF these hfty-esht
were Wings and ffty-six Democrats DO you ever
hear now Of a Republican Mayor appointing Dem
ocrat 10 office Of Republican receiving an once
from a Democratic Mayor?
This might happen" said Mr. Tiemann. II IN the
selection Of the Mayor the people would take
some man, upright and honest, some square ousi-
ness man who would look upon the office as matter
Of business In which he had personal interest ana
who would bother with politics.
Then Mr. Tiemann. you do not favor straight
tckets?'
Decidedly not. Each party has good men. and
ticket made up Of the best material from both
parties is the kind of ticket that would best please
me. But there other things about our city gov
eminent besides the selection OF the best man for
Mayor. which would please me-. said MI Ilemah1.
above all there should be change in the Com
mon Council: there should be Board Of Aldermen
and Board of Assistant Aldermen. and city meas
ures should be passed upon by both boards with
enough time intervening allow the publ!c to be-
come posted on the matter That you see, would
give the public chance. through the papers, TO ex-
press Us approval disapproval Of the measure.
and there would be chance for Jobs.
"A majority OF TIE Board Of Aldermen should he
required to confirm a nomination by the " ,yor.
but :hree-Guarters should be sufficient reject nd
nominations should be considered confirmed on
which no action was taken twenty days after being
made"
Mr. Tiemann ikes to talk Of hts experience
Alderman and Mayor and draw cornpar isons he
tween then and now" and MS stories always
well told and interesting.
TOO MANY 'OFFICIAL PRIVILEGES"
Mayors and public officers generally eel tom
seves entitled 10 privileges nowadays. he ,ail.
such did dream Of in my DAYS Of ser
vice. Now. just happen 70 think Of NJ time
whsn at the request OF \. T. Stewart AMI Others.
went with a lot Of wealthy men 10 Albany ! mink
II was in ISL 70 urge the Governor 10 veto the
Broadway railroad franchise. There about
$5oeoco0o0 represented in the party Of when William
h. Astor was the chairman. Everybody rdl his
own fare and his own hotel expenses. dnI The only
free thing ! saw on the taunt tn c!gor 81 ich
Mr.. Astor handed 10 me when We walked from the
hotel TO the State building. Nowadays Mayors DO
not pay for railroad tickets"
When asked If he had any choice a man for
the Office of Mayor. MIR. Temann said:
II have no choice-there many who
would 90 well. but do think that Mr.. Glroy would
be out Of tho question account OF his action in
the Ems: affair. and because 1t Is well known
that he has used his Office to put business into the
hands Of his son-n-aw That is thing which the
people should show :heir opposition to. anl they
will. Ncw-Yorkers DO nc: IKE the p per cent bus!-
ness"
MR. HEWITT 8 STRONG WORDS.
Ex-Mayor Aeram 3 Hewitt. was seen at his
office No II Burling Slip iIe was busy with prepa-
fations for his trip 10 Europe. his desk was Uttered
with papers awaiting his examination. and business
visitors were watching for opportunity to talk
with HIM but ne found time TO say as 10 the com
ing contes. for Mayor
1T will not take long 10 say what my views ere
on the subject: am against Tammsny. and
against any who may be put forward by 'ha,
organiza ton. II is altogether probable that they
VII get some good to consent to run
Oh their ticket. but the bes: would not be
good enough. because the election Of II Tam
many candidate would mean The perpetuation
Of Tammany methods and what they are nc
81 he told Al The coming elecil0n % con: