New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-31
4 ML&TlkE AIOIDED.

The resolutions relating 10 the Greater New
York Mayoralty contest which were prepared
by a special committee of the Republican CluD
III its leisure and rejected with considerable
prompness by the Campaign Committee OF the
club on Thursday evening, contained several
PROPOSITIONS which were sound in themselves
and which might have been promulgated ut
this time without doing any harm. The dec
lara,ion that lin view of the fact that the Re
publican party comprises large majority OF
1.-The voters opposed to Tammany rule, the
Mayor should he a Republican, has not been
seriously disputed. we believe in any quarter
since the first steps toward an enlistment OF the
forces which must unite TO secure n continuation
of good government were taken. Perhaps it
NAV be objected that the resolution is not per-
feet in FORM but it's essential meaning is clear.
Doubtless the point intended to be made is not
SO much that a Mayor who was not Repub-
llcan would he untrustworthy and Objectionable
as that under the political conditions which in
dispuaby exist. an anti-Tammany candidate
who was not Republican would be in grave
danger of defeat. Some persons in the course
Of the preliminary canvass which has been con-
ductcd with unusual zeal by the Citizens Union
have appeared TO forget at times that the main
thing is not TO nominate a good man. but 10
eject him. Fortunately. more sagacious view
OF the requirements Of the situation has pre-
vailed and there appears TO be little reason to
fear at present that a hopeful movement will
be shipwrecked.
Another of the resolutions which a whole
were rejected on Thursday evening expresses
a Just and sensible estimate OF what the situa-
ton requires in these words: while all NOM
.nations should be determined by the highest
standards of fitness and eligibility the nom
.nees should be representative men, and not
those who are untred and unknown" If. as
we assume TO be the fact. this statement means
only what it says. and was not designed to en-
courage the hopes Of men who think they have
Il claim on public office because they are poll
tlclans first and citizens afterward. there Is
nothing in il 10 which exception should be taken.
IN the contrary it enunciates principle which
ought TO control the nominations. There Is no
occasion for running the risk of attempting 10
construct n municipal administration ont OF ma
teral which has not proved it's fitness for the
highest trusts under the observation of the
whole community Here again the necessity of
nominating men who can be elected Is con
sideration of prime importance. The ticket
ought not TO include single candidate who will
not make large contribution 10 its strength
There is no room on II for "A man Of whom the
best things might confidently be predicted in
ease OF his election but who would have 10 he
pulled through by his colleagues
But though In some respects the resolutions
submitted by the special committee of the Re-
publican Club We're judicious. they were not
altogether wise and timely. and the Campaign
COMMITTEE is 10 be commended for rejecting
them. LIS credit Is not diminished by the fact
that the president of the County Committee
was known 70 approve them and 10 have advo-
Gated their adoption As a member Of the club
Mr.. Quigg was within his rights In signifyng
his personal opinion and desire, bu, he appears
TO liz 10 have made mistake nevertheless
Coming from the head Of the Republican organ
izaiion. his appeal for the passage of the resolu
tons was in sense official, and was doubtless
intended to exercise special influence on that
account. But Mr.. Quiggs approval was not
quite consistent with the course which he has
advised and for the most part followed since
he became president OF the County Committee
He has formally and repeatedly declared his