New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-18

Mayor. Gibson, who has 7e@n renomlnated by
the regular" Democratic organizaticn
II so happens that CHAR ". Hackett, the
chairman ~ the Republican state Committee.
lives here Far from regulating this action OF
the Republican organization in nominating a
Democrat for Mayor. he has approved OF this
action and the Republican newspaper which he
controls The Utica Herald" is urging the Re-
publican voters 10 cast their votes for Mr.. Kin
ney Moreover. II IL evident from Mr.. Hack
ett's friendly relations with Senator Plat and
Mr. Ouigg I'm New York. that these gentlemen
have not been In the least allenated by Mr..
Hacketts non partisan course" In Utica \
perplexinc election thus has n problem In con-
sstency added 10 the other troubles il offers
Nor are the leading Republicans OF Utica trou-
BLEED In conscience apparently by what they
have done From their Congressman James =.
Sherman. down. they are earnestly supporting
their Democratic candidate for Mayor
RUNNING OK CITY ISSUES.
II Is also among the strange features OF tho
canvass IN Utica that. unlike Benjamin F.
Tracy the candidate Of the Republicans FOR
Mayor Is not running upon National issues but
upon CITY issues. Mr. Kinney does not seem to
bc thinking about the next National election.
but about the record Of Mayor Gibson's admins
tration for the last two years. the tax rate. ex-
penscs ~ tho city government clean and dirty
streets and other purely municipal questions
And the platform upon which Mr.. Kinney is
running is "A n1n-partsan one. He was nomi-
mated frs, upon a petition signed by five hun
drcd citizens Of Utica. DR. William H. Watson.
the chairman Of the Citizens Committee. In
letter notifying Mr. Kinney of his nomina-
ton expressly said: we believe that the best
81 :, car lao secured
the election to the Office OF Mayor of a man
who ls not bound by party obligations" Thus
the Republican party OF Utica accepts "A man
who IS n,e 10 be bound by party Obligations
DIR Watson In talk about Mr.. kinneys
nomination emphasized this non partisan idea
by saying:
DIR. WATSON'S VIEWS.
II IS the general belief that our cities are not
administered primarily or solely FOR the welfare
Of the public but that good government Is
sacrificed 10 the interests ~ office holders or Of
partisan LEADERS, II IS however. Of the highest
importance that the public service should be
efficient. honest and free from partisan in
nucnce To this end we should select our public
officials upon tho sole ground of merit and 1T
ness for the positions which they are to occupy.
We should absolutely divorce politics from
participation in municipal affairs.
In regard 10 the question OF clec;ing n Mayor
or this city our population should he regarded
as neither Republican. Democratic nor Prohibi
ZIONIST. In selecting lawyer. a physician an
artisan. clergyman. no man OF sense would
give n moments consideration as 10 whether he
belonged TO one the other of those parties.
He would only ask: is he honest and compe
tent 10 take charge 81 the matter In hand?'
The same rule is applicable in the selection OF
a Mayor. Why should questions affecting the
currency. or the tariff or the canals enter into
the choice OF our local officials? We should
look for a man who Is competent. who is honest
and who Will be Just and absolutely fearless in
the discharge Of his official duties We should
ask whether. far in him lies II elected.
ne will see to It that we have clean streets. ap-