New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-14
VP LOWS LETTER.

Mr. Lows letter of acceptance exhibits the
same moderation and unaffected tone Of con
citation which was characteristic OF his verbal
response TO the nomination of the Citizens
Union IT exhibits him TO the people Of New
York a. man of ideas, of wide sympathes
and of s,eadfast purpose. He holds most cos
mopotan views of the government OF this most
cosmopolitan city, while he marks out for him
self a strict line Of conduct concerning all things
where official laxity means patering with ON
cial dishonesty. About political as about other
tastes there is no use disputing. II is possible
10 understand that persons may not he attracted
10 the personality Of Mr.. Low. or may definitely
desire n government based on spoils. or may so
dislike some Of his ardent supporters, or ne so
wrapped up in their own vanity that noun
ing can induce them to look with favor on
his candidacy But II Is impossible 10 under
stand what any reasonable and Intelligent per
son can find in the statement Of his views that
is either offensive 10 Republican party PRIDE
threatening TO party prestige or contrary 10
party policy. Nor will any enlightened student
Of municipal problems find in his letter an!
thing but evidence Of n thorough comprehen
sion of the needs of civilized modern city. en-
tirely mtanted by doctrinaire notions mprac-
ticable of application 10 the conditions OF Amer
can life
Mr. Low has accepted an independent NOM
nation as he said some days ago. because he
could not do otherwise without being prepared
10 discourage all spontaneous popular move
ments in politics. But he has entered upon no
warfare against any political organization. ana
no party need regard his candidacy as men
ace 10 any of its honest aims He says: i am
n Republican and ! expect 10 remain one' pu'
II am completely in sympathy with the purpose
"of the Citizens Union 10 secure n Mayor ior
the great city who shall be free from all par
'tisan obligations" In this lie Is in absolute
harmony with the principles Of the kepupilcah
party as embodied in the Constitution ana rs
declared by the city organization in the ac-
ccptance of the platform of the Commute" OF
Seventy and the nomination of Mayor strong
Nunicipal elections were separated from STATE
and National elections by the constitutional
Convention for the express purpose OF permit
ting the establishment Of local government with
out complication with questions of outside poll
tics Mr. Low accepts that principle and while
q loval Republican looks on the Mayors Once
as a place for doing city rather than party
work He saws that If he Is elected the patron
400 Of the office shall not he used 10 strengthen
the Republican organization can fearlessly sup
mort him II knows that with Tammany N
mower The patronage would be used ruthlesSly
AGAINST IT, and that straight ticket Is only
a way of inviting that exclusion nder MI
Low il will he assured of fair treatment. ana
certainly il will not ask for unfair dScrimna-
,ion in It's favor It's avOwed fear has been
,bat +, might be Disseminated against, and II
| WILLINGNESS SUPPORT an anu
Tammany candidate who was not an enemy.
The parts of the letter dealing with special
topics of municipal administration Will com
mand the approval of the great mass OF lntelH-
gent pcople of all parties. Mr.. Low is proud OF
the Empire State and wishes the city TO bear
IFS ms, share Of all general burdens. hut he
voices the universal sentiment Of our people In
asking freedom in purely local concerns he
wishes the city TO protect its property in fran
chises and reap reasonable benefit for all new
earning powcr conferred on railroads. He ap-
urecotcs the value Of close communication TO
bind the peoples Of the different boroughs INTO
one civic community and he would hasten that
rand transit for which New Workers. have wait
cd so long As was 10 be expected. he fully ap-
nreciates our educational and commercial needs.
for no has had experience with both, and his work
IL
has evidently brought him into sympathy with
their trials and understanding Of their duties
His views on the excise question are interest
ing He believes the Ranes law superior to its
predecessors. but lacking in its failure TO meet
at all points the requirements Of large city OF
diverse races A law regulating popular habits
must be conditioned in a great measure by pop
ular will in its enforcement. That Is fact OF
human nature which Mr.. Low is too wise a man
TO ignore while he departs not step from his
conception Of the duty of reasonable vigilance
in official action. He is in no sense fanatic,
but a broad -gauged man Of statesmanlke views.
If New-York shall have the good fortune TO
obtain his services as Mayor it will be assured
OF an administration controlled by honesty, ciear
Judgment and common sense. III VIII nave Il
government BETTING its imperial rank.
THE IRON BAROMETER.