New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-21
Mr. LOWS CANDIDACY.

VI
There was a great deal of sound sense in what
Mayor Strong said the other day relative 10 the
political situation in this city. 1t had been re-
ported. with considerable elaboration of details
that he had formally called on Mr.. Seth Low
for the purpose of giving an explicit pledge OF
support 10 Mr.. Lows candidacy for Mayor
However the report originated. its disNemna-
ton was annoying TO Mayor Strong, both be-
cause il was inaccurate and because II tehded
10 encourage a policy with which he is not in
sympathy. In short. he does not THINK that the
time has arrived for an irrevocabe choice
His present impression is that Mr.. Low VIII
proye TO be the strongest candidate, and, OF
course. he has no doubt that. if nominated ana
e,ected. Mfr. Low would be an excellent Mayor
So much as this he has said with perfect frank
ness More than this he is not yet prepared to
say.
Mayor Strong's attitude is one which those
who most admire Mr.. Low need not hesitate
10 adopt. 1t is the attitude which Mr.. Low
himself is maintaining. with great credit 10 MN
self and advantage to the cause of good govern
ment in This city. If he becomes convinced that
his candidacy would be, 10 use his own words,
"a uuifyng force" he would consider 1t his
duty to accept a nomination expressing wide
II be- as we suppose. an unwelcome duty He
doubtless believes. as he Is amply entitled 10
believe. that he is qualified 10 discharge the
onero,is task which will be laid upon the hrst
Mayor of the consolidated city. and he has the
courage 10 undertake it. But be is not yet GER
tain that his candidacy would be TO such an ex-
tent a unifyng force as 10 make his nomination
the wisest solution of great problem. and
f,,rtl
process of ascertanng the facts of which he
demands to be informed is now going on, ana
- awaits the resr!t. whatever 1t may be, in
an unselfsh and Tublicspi manner
That is what all good citizens who want TO
make sure of defeating Tammany ought to do
The present canvass. though initiated by mem
bcrs of the Citizens Union who frankly advo-
cate the nomination of Mr.. Low, has for its
ostenslblc purpose the procurement of informa-
ton. The understanding is that it is designed
TO show how the people feel II it fails to do
that IL will not serve its purpose. 1t is not
meont-or it certainly ought not TO be meant
10 furnish merely plausible excuse for snap
Judgment. We are sure that Mr.. Low would
not knowingly tolerate any such small piece OF
business What he wants Is sound basis for
a safe decision, and that is what great ma
inclined toward his candidacy, including all Of
his sncerest admirers. hope 10 obtain. 1t would
be scarcely possible to imagine anything more
Injurious to the fair prospect Of establishing an
honest and efficient government over the greater
city than the discovery Of an attempt to give
the credit OF sp0ntaneity to boom which
was essentially artificial
We have no idea that the acknowledged lead
crs of the Citizens Union are capable OF such
an undertaking. Most Of them confidently be-
lleye that the nomination Of Mr.. Low would
more fully meet all the requirements OF the
situation than any other could. and many in
,eiligcnt citizens who are not as yet closely
identified with that organization agree with
them. But they have adopted in good faith n
plan for satisfying the condition imposed by
Mr.. Low himself and it Is the truth that they
are looking for. There are, However, rev