The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-30
pRovr roUH oHAnor OF A DEAL
m Yes Caat, M. Saith. Whom but Tracy
shouid Any Republican Vote For,

Hr Yes oaut, M. Saith. Whom but Tracy
shouid Any Republican Vote Fort
charrs, Stewart Smith, Esq.
DEAR SIR: Last nights Evening Post quotes
you as saying:
81 believe it to be true, because Ihnvo been 40
informed on Trustworthy authority, that the Ro-
publican machine managers have arrived at tho
conclusion hat the only way TO defeat Seth
Low will DO to throw such of their votes as they
can influence or contro oil in favor OF Van WICK.
The proposed deal is to give Tammany the city
government and Plat the Legislature"
Although / have not the pleasure OF ycu- per
sonal acquaintance, l nav he Justified al a citi-
zen and registered voter in addressing you this
open letter.
II you are correctly reported. you have in your
possession Trustworthy authority" by which l
presume is meant some competent evidence for
tho statement that q great political crime
against the city and a gross betrayal of Gen.
Tracy and his honest supporters are cuntcm.
plated. II tho statement quoted were a mere
newspaper forthgiving it might be disregarded
as idle clamor. for notwithstanding the houscto-
house canvass the ballot remains secret and
such a deal " as indicated seems scarcely posi-
BILE. But you are n gentleman OF standing In
the community and / cannot believe that
you would say what you cannot substantiate.
Permit me, therefore, to suggest that IL you
have evidence of this contemplated crime, 1t 10
your duty to give it TO the public, or at least 10
Gen. Tracy, who you are reported as saying 10
ignorant of the alleged treachery and Incapable
OF asscnting TO it. II you can do this you will
win to Mr.. Lows support the vote of every man
who. like myself in this election, has no object
but to defeat Tainmany and the forces opposed
to good government ard intends to vote for Gen.
Tracy as the best means to that end.
On my return from Europe three weeks ago l
found a condition confronting me-. The success
OF either Tammany or Mr.. Gc~orgc-whose tragic
death men Of all parties must dcplore-seemed
to mo to threaten n national disaster. Gen.
Tracy, in the opinion of all citizens l have
spoken with, including Mr.. Lows supporters, 10
individually by far the best equipped candidate
for Mayor, both by natural ability and expo
rience, and this is said fully conceding
Mr.. Lows integrity and ability. No inde.
pendent movement has ever won an election
up to this time without the aid Of one Of tho
great national parties; and Gen. Tracy seemed
to me, therefore, in the absence OF a unifyina
force" not only the best candidate Individually
but the one likely to defeat Tammany Hall and
that honest and sincere man, Mt. George, who
did not disguise that for them this election is the
beginning of the national campaign OF 1900.
1t is impossible to forecast the results OF this
election; any one may be mistaken. We who
support Gen. Tracy honestly. as you support Mr.
Low. who would vote for Mr.. Low, as you
doubtless would vote for Gen. Tracy II con
WINGED that such action were for the common
good, are entitled. as you will admit. to ask upor
what evidence this most grave charge is made
by you, II in fact you make it. II you will pro
duce that evidence which you are said to pos
sess, and II it is of a nature to convince reason
able men. l cal promise you not only my vote
for your candidate, but tho votes Of others. II
on the other hand. such evidence is not forth
coming, you will not wonder if those supporting
Gen. Tracy shall feel more and more impelled t
cast their votes for a candidate whom they DO
lieve. and you seem to admit is, absolutely in
dependent and incorruptible. have the homo
to be, your obedient servant,
W. A. P~URRINGToN.
IS WALL STREET, NEW YORK., Oct. %, 1897.