The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-16
JEFFERSON DEMOCRACY
WHAT HE CONCEIvES TO BE THE
MAIN ISUUE IS
SHALL CRoKE9lsM RULE THE CITY?
Dayton Attacks Croker, Whom He Calls
THE Self-Constituted Boss" and Re-
ioices at the Opportunity Of Taking
Ihie Stand in This camnairn
This Stand in This Campaign.

New York, Oct. 15-The letter Of ac-
ceptance of ex-Postmaster Charles w.
Dayton for Comptroller on the Thomas
jefferson Democracy ticket, which was
made public tonight, is in part as fol-
lows:
ssThe administration of the office of
Comptroller of the second city of the
world is one which necessarily affects the
interest of the poorest as well as the
richest citizen. 1t win involve sys-
tenn OF finance, not only of enormous
magnitude, but of infinite detail, requir-
ing industry, vigilance and executive ar
rangement of the highest obtainable
kind. More than this, the Comptroller
must stand between thunderous attacks
upon the city treasury and the welfare
of the citizen who pays taxes in any
form To the administration of that Of
fee along the lines here, indicated, will,
il elected, give my undivided energies
and such abilities as / possess. Agree
ing as / do with many of the principles
set forth in the platform Of the Demo-
eracy of Thomas Jefferson, deem the
main issue, in the municipal campaign
now confronting the people, to be wheth-
or Crokerism shall for the next four
years rule our greater city. BY Croker
ism, mean an imperious government in
the hands of one man, who administers
a principality solely through the agency
of personal favorites, subseryieney to
his will, wishes and purposes. being the
essential test of fitness for Office.
Until the people shall decide other
wise, i refuse TO believeethat This mag
nificient city, with its ATTRACTIONS, its
great future, its affairs and it's TREASURY,
will be placed in the hands of any self
constituted ruler. Every instinct of
manhood, self-respect, patriotism,s civic
pride and true Democracy rebels against
such prospect. AT all events, i rejoice
at the opportunity which your nomina-
tion offers, to take a stand against such
a humiliation. raoa ~ e
This issue of personal rule in party
affairs is fundamental to the cause of
popular government. If one man can
control the action of great party from
primaries to conventions, and thus secure
practical ownership of men elected to Of
flee, we no longer have 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, lauda-
BILE political ambition will be stilled, po-
litical interest must suffer, popular gov
ernment must cease, and vassalage will
take the place of personal liberty
THE coming of Mr.. Croker and his
assumption of complete control of the
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 to
be heard on the floor Of conventions
all this seems to me to raise a doubt
as to whether or not we are living in
a land of free men.
my first vote was cast for Horatio
Seymour. / have never failed in loyalty
to the Democratic party, and in this
campaign, / stand heartily with my fell
low Democrats for the election Of our
superior State candidate, Hon. Alton B.
Parker.
"This acceptance Of your nomination
in a campaign to be waged for good
government and for the establishment OF
the doctrine that equal rights shall pre-
vail in the councils of the Democratic
party, place me upon impregnable
Democratic ground.
CHARLES w. DAYTON"