New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-26
TIE CASE PRESENTED


The remark Is often made in these days that
such a municipal campaign as this was never
seen before. It Is quite true. The size and or
ganizaton OF the city, the powers OF its Mayor
and the responsibilities attendant upon the pop
ular choice are all unprecedented. Popular IN
terest in the campaign Is also exceptionally IN
tense, while the uncommon sol'citude OF the
politicians to gain advantage from the situation
has from the outset been aggresslvely conspicu-
ous The issues OF the case are. however. per
fectly simple and comprehensive, as VIII be
perceived by perusal Of some other pages of to-
days Tribune. A detailed and logical presenta-
ton Of the principles involved Is made, with
fulness and at a length warranted by the I'M
usual importance and interest or the campaign
1t Is commended to the deliberate consideration
Of all readers and especially to the rank and file
Of the Republican party, to whom that party still
stands for principles, and not for the mere self
ish ambition and sordld gain Of some self-ap-
pointed boss.
The first part Of the presen ation has TO DO
with the past misgovernment that made the
name Of New.York byword. 1t Is shown be-
yond question by citations from the record and
from the testimony Of the most authoritative
observers Of municipal affairs and leaders OF
both parties that the evils have chiefly arisen
from the pernlcious practice OF mixing city ar
fairs with State and National politics and subor-
dinatlng them thereto. Conversely. every ef-
fective movement for better government has
been non-partlsan In its origin and has pro-
ceeded Oh non-partisan lines. Thus II hopefully
came to pass that formal provision for perma-
nently non partisan form Of local government
was made In the new Constitution or the state,
and was approved and Ected upon by the
trainers Of tho charter under which this city
and It's nezhbOrs are henceforth TO be consoll-
dated 10 that principle. It Will De seen, the
Republican party. individually and collectively.
Is committed In the strongest possible way. by
the personal uterances Of such leaders as Gen
eral BENJAMIN F. Tracy and the formal resolu'
lions Of the regular party conventions In New
York and Brooklyn II stands pledged TO the sup
port Of non-partsan home rule The way In
which It Is sought to fulfil that obligation by
the nomination and election Of Seth Low IL also
made clear.
The next part OF the argument sets forth the
indsputable facts OF the good that has been
gained for and by the city Under the present
non bipartisan administration. 1t IL shown that
Just as partisan rule meant nefiiclency and cor
ruptlon, so non-partisan service means efficiency
and honesty The reform OF the city govern
ment has not yet been perfected. but as far "a
| It has 1t has done more for the welfare OF the
| people than any and all OF It's partisan predeces
| sors in the memory Of man. Finally, con
vnclng indictment Of Tammany Hall Is made.
| with the amplest OF reasons why that criminal
| organization should not be allowed 10 regain
| control Of the city government. Tammany gov
| eminent Is proved to have been ignorant. ncfil-
| Gent, expensive and corrupt 1t taxed tho city
heavily and gave the city little in return. In
| stead Of being n government Of the people. for
| the people, by the people," II was oppression
OF the people, for the bosses. by the bosses.
| Every revolt against intOlcrable misgovernment
has been a revolt against Tammany Hall,
| whether Tweed or Croker was the boss OF the
| day To give the city government Into such
| hands again would be to deliver Il to It's proved
worst enemy.
Nor are the other issues OF the campaign neg
! lected. The development Of the mult!farious
interests Of the great city the performance Of
its public works and the administration OF It's
valuable franchises are adequately discussed
| II Is seen that the antl-Tammany campaign IS
| also a campaign against the worst types Of So
casm and Anarchsm, and for all that makes
! society stable and that protects all Its members
alike in life, liberty and the pursuit OF happ
ness" The poor man who seeks m honest
days wages for an honest days work. and who
wants schools for his children. and parks and
Fairgrounds and. In general q chance to be and
to live like something better than slave, and
the rich man, who has large property interests
| to conserve, and industrial establishments from
which proceed his own income and the incomes
Of host Of fellow workers-these and all hon
est citizens alike are interested. for their own
selfish sakes and for the sake Of the whole COM
munity Of which they are parts in defeating the
vicious schemes OF Tammany and In securing
for this metropolis such honest and efficient
government as Ia to be found only in non par
tlsan home rule.