Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-18
Mr.. DAYrON'S ACCEPTANCE.
His One Object Seems to Be A Hard Blow 4,
Richard Croker.

New York, Oct. 1.-THE letter of accent
ance OF ex-Postmaster Charles w. Day-
toh lDr comptroller On the Thomas Jeffar
son Democracy ticket, which was mada
public, tonight, is as follows:
willis G. Abbot Chairman. Dear Sir.
iouI ietter Notifying me of nomination
ny the Democracy of Thos. Jefferson. tor
the office of comptroller of Greater New
YORK Is received. It's sentiments regard.
ing the public service and party obliga-
tions to the people has my sincere con-
currencc
The administration of office of CONN.,
tro,ler is one which necessarily affects he
interests Of the pOorestS as well as 70
richest citizen. 1t will involve a syst.
OF finance, not only of enormous mag, =
tude. but of infinite detail, recurring
dustry, vigilance and executive arrang,
ment of the highest obtainable kline
More than this. the comptroller mus
stand between thunderous attacks upon
the city treasury, and the welfare of the
citizens who pay taxes. To the adminis-
tration of that office along the lines here
indicated, | will. if elected, give my I'M
divided energies and such abilities as
passes.
Agreeing. as | do. with many of the
principles set forth in the platform Of the
Democracy of ThOs. Jefferson, l deem the
now confronting the people to be whether
Crokerism shall for the next four years
rule our greater city. BY Crokerism, l
mean an imperious government in the
principality solely through the agency Of
personal favorites. subservient to his will
wishes and purposes being the essential
test Of fitness for office.
Until the people shall decide otherwise
| refuse to believe that this magnificent
city, its great future. its affairs and its
treasury. will be placed in the hands of
any self-constituted ruler. At all events,
| rejoice at the opportunity which your
nomination offers to take stand against
such a humiliation.
This issue of personal rule in party
affairs is fundamental to the cause of
popular government. If one man controls
the action of great party from the
primaries to conventions and thus secures
practical ownership of men elected to
office. we no longer have a government
''of the people. for the people and by the
people,, but instead have a government
of the people by a despot for his own
purposes. whatever they may be- If
this despotism shall be permitted, laud-
political interests must suffer, popular
government must cease and vassalage
will take place of personal liberty.
The coming Of Mr.. Croker and his as
Democratic party of Greater New York,
the autocratic methods pursued by him:
the utter absence of any voice but his in
the action of the conventions of the
party, the sitting of even the right 70 be
heard on the floor of eonventions-an this
means to me to raise doubt as to
whether or not we are living IN a lanu OF
freemen. I believe in political organiza-
ticns, but when organizations become the
property of one man. it ceases to be DEM
ocratic.
This acceptance of your nomination in
a campaign to be waged for good govern
ment and for the establishment of the
doctrine that official rights shall prevail
in the councils of the Democratic party,
place me upon impregnable Democratic
ground With assurance of my earnest
efforts in the work of the campaign, I
am yours very truly
CHARLES w. DAYTON.