New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-25
MAYOR STRONG'S PLEDGES.
THE PLATFORM UPON WHICH HE WAS
ELECTED TO OFFICE.

CHOSEN NOT As REPUBLICAN,. But BECAUSE
HE PROMISED TO ADMINISTER HIS OFFICE on
NoN-PARTIsAN BAsIs-PI.ATT's DESIRE
THAT THE MAYOR BREAK HIs WORD.
The pretended basis of Mr.. Platts campaign
against Mayor Strong is the appointment Of
Democrats to office. This is the reason Mr.. Patt
alleges for his opposition. Every sensible person
understands. Of course that it is not the real
cause Mr.. Platt is not troubled one-hundredth
part so much about the appointment Of Mr.. Scott
for Corporation Counsel as he is over the selec-
ton of Mr. Brookfed for Commissioner Of Public
Works. Had one of his friends-Colonel Grant,
for example-been named instead Of Mr.. Brook
field he would have had nothing to say about
Scott. lie has however the right to select his
issue In the conflict which he has invited,
and since he has chosen TO put forward Mr..
Scotts appointment as the cause of war, 1t Is
just as well that the people should understand
what II involves.
Their, many honest Republicans throughout
the State. doubt who do not altogether APP
prove the course Of the Mayor. They nave
known him only as a stalwart Republican. They
remember him in connection with the Busi-
ness Mems Republican Association, an or
gan!zation which he started In 1889. to
get into active politics by Kidding the
party OF the old mach:ne; and they are
puzzled to know why man Of his partisan
strength should show such favor to Democrats
as he has done Ii is a matter OF regret that so
many good people have forgotten all about the
way In which Colonel Strong was elected. They
have forgotten all about the unique campaign
that preceded ;he overthrow Of Tammany and
only remember that the outcome was the election
of "A Republican Mayor.
The way in which his nomination was effected
and the platform Of principles that finally united
all the anu-Tammany forces in his support have
faded somewhat from the popular mind. Al all
events. Mr. Platt seems to think It has. or else
no would never have the effrontery to 20 before
th, reputable Republicans OF the Empire state
on the campaign against public Official whose
chief offence Is too much fidelity to the pledges
that h. gave in accepting the nomination at the
hands OF his follow-citzens.
THE sEVENTY's PLATFORM.
Here is the platform OF the Committee Of Sew
entv 10 which Colonel Strong subscribed
Municipal government should 5e entirely di-
vorced from party politics ana from sei'lSh per-
sOnal ambition Or gtin.
The economical. honest and busnesslike man
agemeni 4 municipal affairs has nothing to DO
with q,iesi Ions ~ National or STATE pohtlcs
W. do uot ask any citizen to give up his party
National or state ISSUES bht 10 ii>r hO''' pa
tisanship to the broad plane OF citizenship anu 80
unite in an earncs, demand for the nomination
and election II hitting candidates. whatever their
National party affiliations
The .rnrnent - the city Of New-fork. IN the
hands OF It's present administrators Il marked by
corruption. ineficiercy and cXtravagance. Us
mum -iYal DEPARTMENTS are not conducted IN tle
Interests Il the city at large. hut iof ptlNd'" gam
All classes OF citizens rich and poor alike suffer
under these conditions. This misgovernment en-
.f.E .,1i m
- and dcpYlves ts citizens ~ me protection OF
NE and property to which they are entitled.
face The dangers that confront them and resolute-
Iy 10 determine that these conditions shail cease
aud tina, the affairs " the city shall henceforth
be conducted as well-ordered efficient ana eco
nom!cal household In th" interests 81 'he hra''"'
comfort and safety 4 tie people ,,
We denouncc a. repugnant 10 the spirit ana let
ter q our institutions any disrrim.nations among
citizens because ~ race or religious pellei
We demand that the public service or TINS CITY
be- conducted upon strictly non-parusin pass,
that ell subordinate appointments ana pron''ons
be based on cirll service eNaminatlonS, ana INA,
All examinations mental and physical. be- placed
under the control Il the Civil Service Comms-
We demand that the quality 90 the public
schooie be improved their capacity enlarged. and
proper Fairgrounds provided. so that every emu
within the ages required by law shdli nav 'r-
mission to IN" schools: the hral'h "i tne N''..''
be protected ami that all such modern impi,% W
nents be introduced Will max" our puoi'c
schools the equal Of ihoSe in any other city III the
world. ,, 49,
IN. cifv under the small Park act shall De
promptly DEVOTED TO the purposes Of TINS ac1uiS',
ton. 81 that our people IN me ncnss'S p'e, -
parts of our city shall fully enjoy the dement's "i
such expenditure" =, 49,.
We ufr. greater care and thoroughness in the
enforcement OF the health laws and demand . .ilr
establishment OF more efficient safeguards ah"iS'
disease. .,ia y,
We favor the establishment at appropriate
places throughout the city, oi ADEQUATE p"o,''
baths and lavatories for the promotion oi c''""-
llness and increased public comfort
We demand the adoption Of thorough SyS,'ni
of street cleaning, which shail also lncln"' a. "
proper disposition of the refuse ana Gatpdst' -
thai our harbor may be- kept IRE" from opsu
ton and denlement and the neiehborlng shores
clear of offal thus conforming 10 the hl't'o'S III
other great cities . ,,,,o l.,
this city ,
We call for the improvement ~ the do KS ana
vatcr- fronts of our great maritime cty, 80 'hat
shall enjoy the ADVANTAGES to which ~ II rho
by It's unique position with It's unrivalru nilno,;
We heartily favor the separation OF municipa. 'in
from State and National elections a'" ''' o''
measure Of home rule Tor cites. f., . s,
We appeal to the people OF TINS city TO c"n' -
aside party prejudice. and to cofipuhe WIN % Va 80
n determined effort t. elect candidates chusch
SOLELY with reference to their ability ana il'es'S'
and pledged TO conduct the affairs OF 'he ,''y -" 80
strictly non-parlisan basis. ana VINO WIN, go, a. i
may be In their power insure soo' e''
TO the city of New-York.
COLONEL sTRONG's LETTER.
And this is Colonel Strong's acceptance OF the
platform and his pledge OF fidelity to its proVi-
sions: ,so,
New FORK oct ;. 1884,
Josepb Larocoue Esa Chairman of the Committee
or Seventy. New York CITY , ..,r,t,
Dear sir: The platform adopted nv tne cor'i'ir inr
tee meets with my entire approval anu IL ',dnc
ty OF the Anti-Tammany orSdnizations hVluuInS
tho Republicans In the city OF New, forN appunr
OF my nominaon for Mayor, WIN tne u,n,,s mnannt
understanding that the affairs OF the EoveInne,, ~,
OF the city OF New-York shall be adminlsterea II,
The interests of good government ana apsoiuteIy
nnn rtisan then | shall very willing TO accept
the nomination from all OF the these no@y u1ng my
admins,ration Of the affairs OF the city or New
York as Mayor and make all appoin,enoS nors S''"
OUT 'eh"'u !" P"''' ~ W. l.. STRONG.
Every acquaintance of Colonel Strong who
rood tho ,stt.r believed that he meant what he