New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-25
HE'S 4 SMASHER OF RINGS.
JOHN ~ STEWARDS CANDIDACY FOR THE AS
sEMBLY-HIS WORK FOR DECENT


GOVERNMENT
West Chester oct "a (SpecaD.-The candidacy Of
John n Stewart for the Assembly in the lid Dis
trict of Westchester County involves issues Of
morality and good government in the most direct
way His prominence in politics was gained by
long persistent and active enmy 10 the ring which
was in control of the affairs Of West Chester Town
ship When Alfred Hennen Morris was in the As
semby in 1898 he had law passed allowing West
Chester TO spend 100000 in putting sewers through
out the grounds of the Morris racetrack The
sewers were not TO benefit the village at all. but
were merely TO Increase the value Of the racetrack
Such a hgh-handed and outrageous effort TO
saddle a heavy debt on West Chester Was fought by
the better class of citizens but they could not pre-
vent the bill becoming law. In the fan OF that
year. however, they had an opportunity to enter
an effective protest against such course. a. ii.
Morris a candidate for the State Senate and
he was badly beaten. In the spring election this
year the reformers elected Il Supervisor In West
Chester who was opposed to the Morris interests.
Mr. Stewart and his associates succeeded In having
the law providing for sewers in the racetrack re-
pealed this
Mr.. Stewart is a carpenter and builder at Will
iamsbrdge. He is Scotch by birth. He is plain,
every day man, of good. sturdy common sense.
There no fills on him. and the people have
to know what manner Of man he Is and To
honor him for his labors against ring rule. lie be-
prominent Mason.
Ex-Assemblyman Bradford Rhodes OF Scarsdale.
and George l.. Carlisle Of New Rochelle. were also
candidates for the nomination which went to
Mr. Stewart letter written by the Rev Or.
Frank NJ Clenden.n. OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church at West Chester, and Il. T. Harrington I'M
doubtedly helped Mr.. Stewart to win. The Rev.
Mr. Clendenin had been intimately associated with
Mr. Stewart in the effort to defeat the Morris ring
The letter spoke of Mr.. Stewart as follows
He is an honest, sterling Scotch American who
has gained the respect ana esteem OF the people OF
West Chester by constantly fighting wrong wher-
ever found. For a number OF years he has been
OF the foremost OF the brave men who have
done much TO rid his township OF bad govern
ment For this he has the appreciation OF the pe0-
pie and should have their cordial Endorsement If
nominated.
He is competent intellectually and fitted morally
to fill the place. and merits this advancement. lie
has been charge Of local Republican organiZa-
ton for two years and has enlarged its efficiency
this fail"
Seward Baker. although Democrat. Endorsed
these statements.
The Democratic candidate nominated ap-
parently, in accordance with Shakespeare's remark
about tho effectiveness Of golden bullets. It Is
easy TO see why Edward Martens should have been
put up to run. except that he has money. HIS
father grew wealthy in the sugar refining business.
Mount Vernon. No has been aware that he
has taken any interest in public affairs There are
persons OF his who would be efficient Ass mbly.
men, but Edward Martens has not given any indi-
cation that he would be other than a nonentty in
Albany.