New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-07
THE CrT1zkvs UNION.
IT'S CHAIRMAN DEFINES IT'S PoLicY
AND PLEADS THE NECESSITY OF
EARLY NOMINATIONS.

EARLY NOMINATIONS
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: II was with deep regret that I read the
editorial In yesterday mornings Tribune. en-.
titled "A Warning to the Citizens Union" From
the attitude previously taken by The Tribune We
had come to rely with confidence upon having
its support, which regard most important
II not essential. II Is impossible for us. however
to follow the advice given by the editorial re.
ferred to without departing from the funda.
mental principle on which the Union was or.
ganized, viz, the principle OF making city NOM
nations not only independent OF National and
State politics. but also Of National and State
parties Adherence to this Principle renders Il
essential that shall make early nominations,
in advance OF the party organizations. Delay
can only create distrust. and must almost In.
evitably lead TO negotiation and barter The
Citizens Union cannot pursue such policy
without entire departure from It's avowed
declaration OF principles and objects. / would
not have you suppose that the determination to
make early and independent nominations is
matter Of recent or hasty impulse. The Union
was founded for this purpose. and the decision
was made after deliberate consultation on the
part Of many Of the most influential members Of
the Committee OF Organization The Executive
has merely followed the line Of policy previously
defined. wish particularly TO correct the mis-
apprehension indicated in yesterday mornings
editorial, that this line Of policy was forced upon
the Union by the Good Government clubs. They
were not consulted on the question. On the con-
trary. in reaching this decision we were guided
by the advice of many most prominent Republi.
cans and the men who led the Committee Of
Seventy.
beg to call your attention TO the editorial
published in The Tribune Of February 8, en-
titled "A Look Ahead" In which the need for
an Independent citizens movement was pre-
scented and plan Of action outlined; also the
editorial For Municipal Reform" published
February %, referring 10 our declaration as be-
ing "in direct line with The Tribune's susges.
tions, and perhaps in some sense their result"
and stating that the purposes set forth ana
the aims avowed In the circular printed yester-
day appear to be such as all sincere advocates
of good government and municipal reform can
approve and sustain without the sacrifice OF
party principle or political consistency" Again.
on April -. The Tribune published an editorial
entitled THE Lauterbach Boomerang, In which
it said: THE line could not be more clearly
drawn. The edict Of accommodation has gone
out against all Republicans who consider their
desire Tor GOOD government anu honest HOl-
partisan administra ton above the partisanship
whose only test Is unquestioning obedience to
the machine It completes the line OF
battle, with the two political machines In joint
array against all citizens OF all parties who
have nothing in common with them. and whose
sole desire is that the city should be honestly
and decently governed. Mr.. Lauterbach mas
made the work Of the Citizens Union easy.
The promoters Of the movement have only TO
circulate his speech. That discloses the point
of union between the two ostensibly hostile ma
chimes against the whole community"
The policy which has been so emphatically
urged by The Tribune up to Monday last is the
only policy which the Union consistently
or honorably pursue. and, as part OF that
policy early nominations are Indispensable.
Only by means Of such nominations can We give
the assurance which the people demand OF our
sincerity and earnestness. We shall nominate
only such men as will deserve the support or
good citizens Of all parties. and we ask that
you will not make II impossible FOR us TO secure
the consent of such candidates by allowing Inc
Tribune 10 depart from Its original attituos
and by taking a position such as that Indicated
by Yesterday mornings editorial Permit me 10
add also that we do not propose TO MAKE noini-
nations without due consideration or all tne
communities to be affected, and that we fully
recognize their rights and interests. very re-
specially, r. FuLION " iiiN"'
New-York. May g. 1897.
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