New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-02

committee of one to confer with the Committee OF
ri'y on oii,na IN ease ~ ~ rocoesar,
nominations and Endorsements on its own account
"DICTATION" BY TIE CITIZENS UNION.
ONE OF THE sIGNERs WHO THINKS THERE HAS
BEEN NONE But RY THE VOTERS
THEMSELVES
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir In this mornings Tribune Mayor Strong is
quoted saying. IF the Citizens Union would be
only little less dicatoria believe the Repubicans
would indorse Low" Permit inquire when.
whore and how the Citizens Union has dictated or
attempted TO dictate TO the Republican party or -
any one. The charge OF dictation has been made
frequently by the "sarrulous Gruber," the "queru-
lous Quigg" and others. but venture to assert
that OF them can substantiae it, for the facts
prove exactly the contrary. The Citizens Union
opened its campaign by declaring its principles,
and by inviting all who shared them TO join the
Union. SO far there was no dctaton. The Union
declared 1t would nominate no candidate for Mayor
or for any other city office unless he represented
these principles.
Almost Immediately Mr. Low began TO be talked
about as the first Mayor Of Greater New-York.
Mayor Strong asserted that Mr.. Low was the man
best fitted fer the place. His opinion was shared
and expressed by thousands O. others. The news
papers full OF Low. and mentioned no one
Il
Union had taken no step toward making any
nomination. but when public opinion seemed 10 be
all In favor Of Mr.. Low the Union asked him II he
would accept a nomination. Was there anything
"dlctatorial" about this? If so. 1t was the dcta'
ton of public opinion Mr.. Lows reply called for
more tangible evidence Of popular desire. and
thereupon the Union instituted a canvass which
was, in fact q referendum OF tho question. DO
you do you not want Seth Low for Mayor!
I should like TO know where Mayor strong hndS
anything dictator;al IN this procedure: over
hundred thousand voters responded that they cd
want Mr.. Low for Mayor, and thereupon the repre-
sentatives OF the Citizens Unions OF four borouShs
rendered 10 Mr.. Low the formal nomination on be-
half Of the l25,oOo voters who had named him ~
their choice.
has acted simply as the mOuthpece OF tho people
who want honest city government and believe ihai
Mr. low will give II to them EGminaliY mr.
but actually he is the candidate Of ie5eo voters.
and II the Republicans indorse him II WIN he be
cause they recosnYe the force OF PUBIC opa mon
any one believe that Mr.. Platt would FOR = mo-
ment have considered Mr.. Low rs a oossihle can
form fcrcible as to be practically lrTesistihie
For this expression We have 10 thank the CITIZENS
Union. hut if there has been any dctation !. has
been that OF the voters themselves. who have as
serted the right which belongs TO every citizen.
and which is expressly recognized by the Election
Code to nominate a candidate who represents Their
sentiments
Mayor Strong has expressed his opinion so freely
as to the candidate for the Mayoralty tina N" can
hardly deny the same privilege TO the l2anm OF his
fellow-citizcns whose opinions concur with MS Inc
Citizens Union is a body Of voters exercising col
lectively the rights which they possess Individually
and II Mayor Strong will confne his attention TO
has been that stuck 10 its principles and refused
be bullied seduccd into an Abandonment OF "s
ONE OF THE sIGNERs.
New-York September 20. 1897.