New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-06
SOUND DEMOCRATIC COUNSEL.

If Mayor-elect Van Wyck counted on receiv-
Ing the hearty approval and Endorsement Of in
telligent and clcarsightcd Democrats for his
declaration that he would put none but Demo
Gratis on guard in his appointments to munic-
ipal office he Is liable TO be disappointed a
great many sensible and clearheaded men, who
support the party's candidates through thick
and thin simply because they are Democrats.
reject in toto the principle so confidently laid
down by the Mayor-elect. Times have changed
slowly. It may be, but none the less surely
since Mr. Marcy boldly avowed the doctrine
which was carried out under Jackson and sue
cesslve Administrations TIL the time of Grover
Cleveland ITO the victor belong the spolls."
Mr. Cleveland may not be popular with his
party. but one thing is certain, that his views
Of the Civil Service, though not always carried
into practice, took strong hold Of his followers;
and we suspect that there are a great many
more Democrats opposed to the Van Wyck plan
OF apportlonng the offices at his disposal than
that gentleman has any idea OF. There are
thousands Of honest Democrats, here and all
over the country who thoroughly believe in
non-partlsan Civil Service and non-part!san mu-
n,cnal administration, and who reject the spells
doctrine absolutely.
newspaper, "The Hartford Times the leading
organ of the party In Connecticut ana one OF
the ablest in New-England, controvertng the
position OF the Mayor-elect in the most distinct
and unequvocal terms. Promising that II was
understood before election that Tammany had
put forward its best man. and that Judge Van
WICK was represented as "a bright. honorable
"and Independent citizen, who would admins
"ter the office independently Of party 1t quotes
what he said in his late interview concerning
his purpose to appoint none but Democrats 10
office and to select no one from the ranks OF
the enemy" and comments thus thereon;
We do not like that word enemy" as applied
to political opponents nor ,enemy cou ,,,S ,ho
a section OF the Union not in harmony with the
political policy Of the person uttering such
words We may honestly differ In TINS Ohion
of ours on party policies. ana party oppoleno o
Is a term sufficient to designate opposite par
ties or candidates Nor do We agree with JUG"
Van Wyck that no one except DomoCra'
should be appointed to any office In cry OF III
a State. Comparison boards are proNiueu I"I
by law in New-York Connecticut ana other
States 1t Is simple justice to place IN some OF
the Offices capable men OF the Ieadihg parties
In the Board OF Assessment. can Judge van
WICK honestly say that no one except par
tisan friend OF the Mayor shall be appointed
There official positions in every CITY IN
which representatives. Of the people should De
placed Ii is not Just for one party TO control
them in its own interests. We believe Judge
Van Wyck would have lost votes had he made
this sweeping declaration OF eXclusiveness be-
fore the election and we trust he VIII recon
slider and change his policy.
This is straightforward and direct, and comes
from good Democratic authority. For no one
will dispute the Democracy straight as string
and clean as a hounds tooth frCm the days or
Andrew Jackson-Cf 1.-The Hartford Times
Greater New-York. 1t says, with It's three mill
ions OF Inhabitants, should not be pinched Into
1.-THE narrow and dangerous condition OF being
ruled from the committee headquarters OF
political party" And 1t expresses The fear
that Judge Van Wyck has injured his reputation
and perhaps his usefulness by his declaration
Of exclusiveness. Thcse are words Of truth and
soberness from a friendly source. They offer
pretty clear proof that the Mayor-elect did not
express the sentiments Of the more intelligent
and sagacious leaders Of his party in laying
down The spells doctrine as that upon which he
proposed TO administer his Office. The days OF
hidebound partisanship have gone by, and Judge
Van Wyck in the Judgment of his own best
friends, will make serious mistake In attempt
ing TO 90 back TO them. He will be wise II he
listens TO the sound advice OF that able expo
nent Of Democracy THE Hartford Times