The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-05


Ign. and now president Of Columbia uni
versity, has been selected by the Citizens
Union as candidate for the first mayor of
Greater New York. 1t remains to be seen
now whether he will be equally acceptable
TO the Republican organization and the
National Democracy. II he succeeds in Sc
curing these. or rather II they shall come
to him, his election ia assured
Seth Low is one of the most remarkable
men in the United States. He Is independ-
ent, yet good politician: a man capable
of conducting university, but one whose
capacity for business has been demon
strated by his success with its financial
troubles; he has voted with both OF the
great parties without having antagonized
the other. II the Republican organization
support Mr.. Low there is no doubt that
the National Democrats will fall into line.
Whether the Republicans will be willing
must be determined somewhat by the ad-
vice OF Senator Fiatt, whose counsel on
the -ub5ect OF the campaign has met the
approval Of all the Republican newspapers
in New York-a remarkable unanimity
1t Ia generally understood that Ar. Plat
would have preferred Secretary Bliss to
any other candidate. but that gentleman
has positively declined to enter the con-
test. Mr.. Platts personal relations with
Gen. Tracy. together with his past serv-
Ices to the Republican party, had made
that eminent Brooklynite a prominent can
didate: but MIR. Plat has declared en-
phatically that only the man who can
surely unite all the elements should be
nominated. In recent address he said
1t was the success OF certain principles,
and not the triumph Of any faction. which
must be aimed at. The impression is,
therefore. that such objections as might
be raised against Mr. Low are very likely
to be overcome.
Seth Low has qualifications which no
other man in Greater New York possesses.
or at least has demonstrated. for the office
of mayor OF the great city. He knows
Brooklyn and New York thoroughly. He
was mayor of Brooklyn for four years, and
since he has resided In New York he has
been identified with all the important pub
of the principal members of the commits
sion which framed the charter. In execu-
tive action he is described as being always
firm and courageous. His motives are of
the highest. and yet he realizes perfectly
well that In politics there must be eonces-
sion. organization. discipline. and a COM
mon leadership. He intimated very broad
fx-. I.
a nomination upon an independent plat
form, without alliances or understandings
with any other organization. There Is
nothing of the offensive partisan about
him. and yet he had the courage 10 object
to bipartisan police board. He does not
the police department. but he was not de-
ceived by the speciousness of the plea in
favor of that method of avoiding 1t. He
did not have the benefit of the experience
of Seattle with that sort OF an institution.
but he enjoys common sense along with his
independence. II will he seen that Mr.
Low is a good deal of the practical poll
tician IN the best sense of the word.
II might be wondered why Senator Plat
should be so willing TO further the am
bition Of a man who would be so abso-
luteiy beyond his control as Seth Low, and
why he should desire TO turn the vast
patronage OF Greater New York over TO
one who in his selection of officials would
not be governed by considerations of mere
Is party interests. Several reasons might
influence Mr.. Plat. lie likes. for one
thing TO be on the winning side, the sue
cess Of Republicans Under any Leader
would be credited 70 him. Unless some
such man as Seth Low Is nominated. there
IS danger that Tammany VIII carry New
York. which would jeopardiz5 Republican
success Throughout. the state in the ensu-
ing fan election. Another more selfish but
/ perhaps equally strong reason is that SEN
! ator Plat has attained the height OF his
J ambition. he can only hope 10 retain his
! seat by the triumph of the Republican
+ party. and Mr.. Platt is 80 situated that he
+ can be generous. and even follow the ex-
ample of Quay who becomes the leader by
his shrswd anticipation of the wishes OF
/ the people,
+ one element OF strength possessed by
] Seth Low Is that he Is not feared by the
t saloon eiement-~that is those Who patron
TIE and are in sympathy with. as veil as
tha owners OF. saloons He will Gnfor.e
+ the law with judgment and e4gal fairness;
! he will not have spasraoifc attacks of viz
/ tue. during which he viii do gross iuigs-
/ tice. bat &c wtli pursue a steady policy.
He VIII rot tolerate the appointment Of an
! incompe potent man 10 az Office as a reward
( for party service but % two competent
I guen he Will tlve the preference to the one
! who hAs DISTINGUISHED himself BY party
( zeal Tho taxpayers have confidence that
I he wiu rot sanction any extravaganre. hu,
! the exper.ence 81 brooklyn Is thar he does
not consider every saving Of expense A
4 wise economy. same unforeseen conffn.
/ eeney n2ay arise 20 prevent ~ nomination
( q Mr.. Lew b. ire Republican party, but
/ the probabilities are greatly IN his favor.
/ and IL he sheulS be elected. BIS term as
/ mayer 81 New York viii not b, The close
/ C his political career.
! y IS encoUra g1ng 90 learn that r-ou-s =