The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-06
The New YORK STU g

81 was heart and soul for the ticket
LAST fall" declares Judge Van WycH.
Tammany's nominee for Mayor This be
ing true. and all the other nominees
on the Tammany ticket having supported
Bryan on the Chicago platform, where
WIS the sense in endorsing part OF the
Chicago platform and ignoring the ha''
ance? Tammany might have decided,
without giving just cause of offense to
any. TO have made no reference what
ever to national questions, but when t
emphasized the evils of government by
Injunction and lodged the money ques-
ton, it invited the opposition of many
silver Democrats. In trying to please all
around. it has made an unfortunate
blunder.
While Judge Van Wyck is a strict
Tammany man it is mistake to sup
pose that he is not a man of ability and
courage. He has shown his ability by
his acceptable service on the bench, and
he has shown political courage in
a way that ought to give him the respect
of all men. He was member of the
general committee OF Tammany Hall
when Hancock was defeated. At the
meeting following the defeat, Judge
Van Wyck had the holiness to intro
duce resolutions denouncing John Kelly
for bis treachery in the campaign, and
charge the result to Tammany's pow
erful leaders. He only received five out
of eleven hundred votes and he had TO
leave Tammany Hall because Of this
brave act. Does this indicate that he
is a putty man who would do Croker's
bidding?
The people remember that in 1884,
when Cleveland was elected, in some
unaccountable way, the election news
was kept back, and the figures were
never known until a crowd marched
to Jay Gould's house singing, Hang,
hang, hang Jay Could" The New York
newspapers say that Judge Van Wyck
was at the head of this seething mass
Of determined Democrats who were re-
solved not to be cheated out of hard
won victory as they had been defrauded
in 1876. This incident illustrates the
spirit of a brave man, who not only
has convictions but has the courage to
defy the richest man in America who
RI ha rfu IN 10
1876 fraud. Would the man capable of
this daring be the tool of a man like
Croker as Mayor of New York?
If we may judge the Tammany NOM
inee by these two incidents in his career,
as well as by his high standing in his
profession, the aspersions upon him by
the New York papers are wholly unde-
served. They declare that he is merely
a machine candidate who would, if elect
ed, be tool in Croker's hands to do his
bidding. Undoubtedly he would seek
to strengthen his party in the metropolis.
but his career does not indicate that he
would submit to dictation from any
man. If he was "heart and soul for
the ticket last fall" what have true
silver men to fear in his election as
Mayor of Greater New York? Would he
not be in a position where he could be
Of greater use in the great campaign
that Bryan will lead in 1900?
Henry George is one Of the greatest
men of his day. The New York Journal
does not speak too highly of him when
it says:
''The nomination Of Henry George
brings into the campaign for control
OF the Greater New York one of the s
bravest and sincerest personalities in
American politics. He is the un-
1inching foe Of corporate greed and
political corruption. He stands for
ideas. He stands for manhood. He
is the servant of no boss. He is a
man of the people. The enthusiasm
which he excites among his followers
is a unique phenomenon In the poll
tics OF the day. 1t is tribute to
his character that those who do not
accept his ideas are among his warm
est admirers. His honesty is as OBJ
vious as his indebtedness. Henry
George ia. one Of the very few Am
orleans who by the sheer force of
his intellect alone has gained
worldwide celebrity. And he 10 a
poor man, another phenomenon a
mong those conspicuous in poli0G."
And yet, endorsing every word Of this
commentator. il 1t clear that the free
coinage advocates ought to turn their
back on Judge Van Wyck, who was
"heart and soul for the ticket last fall'
and has been lifelong, answering
Democrat, to support Henry George, who
is not per sc an advocate Of the free
coinage Of silver? He is not even a
professed Democrat, though he usually
votes the Democratic ticket and is more
of q Democrat than very many who