New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-14
SETH LOWS ACCEPTANCE.
SOUND VIEWS on LOCAL ISSUES.
A REPUBLICAN. HE Is IN THOROUGH
ACCORD WITH THE PRINCIPLES
OF THE CITIZENS UNION.

HIS OPINIONS on THE CIVIL SERVICE. PUBLIC
FRANCHISES AND IMPROVEMENTS. THE EX-
CIsE AND OTHER SUBJECTS CLEARLY
AND FoRCEFULLY SET FoRTH-THE
INTERESTS OF THE CITY TO
+ BE HIS SUPREME CARE.
The letter Of Seth Low. formally accepting the
! Citizens Union nomination for Mayor of the
! Greater New-York. was received ut the head
quarters of the Union. No 80 East Twenty
third-st.. at G:30 p. m. yesterday. 1t Is as fol-
lows:
September 13, 1897.
Messrs. Joseph Larocque and others. acting on
behalf Of the Citizens Union and other voters
OF the City of New-York.
Gentlemen: accept with deep sense OF re-
sponsbilty the nomination that you offer me In
your communication of September /. So far as
the expression of popular desire which accom-
! panes it implies confidence in me. 1t VIII be
lifelong inspiration and a strong impulse In the
event OF my election to fulfil the expectation OF
those for whom you speak. I take II for granted
that this nomination is offered subject 70 the ex
pressed condition stated in my letter to com
rnittee Of the Citizens Union dated June I, which
| letter was used the basis Of your canvass
and In which said that could accept no nom
nation If there were attached to it any obliGa-
tion expressed implied. In case of election.
other than the obligation Of the official oath as
Mayor to make the interests OF the city the
paramount concern in the discharge OF every
duty.
am Republican. and I expect to remain
one: but am completely in sympathy with the
purpose u the Citizens Union to secure Mayor
for the great city who shall be free from all
partisan obligations" Such a Mayor, II elected.
/ shall certainly be- In making appointments II
shall be my cndeavor to tili every place with an
eye single to the public good. The patronage Of
the city shall not be used. 50 far as II is In the
Mayors power 10 prevent IT. for the purpose Of
either strengthening or Weakening one party or
another any faction of any party. | shall
try to make administration that Will he
honest. hroad-mrded. efficient and business
like. and considerate OF the interests of every
citizen.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The Civil Service laws of the State shall
he iinpartIally enforced by such methods as
Will insure "A practicable and reasonable test
II fitness and tho selection Of subordinate Off
GERS uuon their merits. Irrespective OF political
| influence SO a. To afford fair chance to every
citizen. without regard to race. religious belief.
D
to build mp I'm all parts Of the public service
a spirit Of honest pride based upon the we'll
settled conviction on the part Of every person
/ In the city's employ that. long his services
| are needed and he renders them faithfully and
! we'll no influence In the city shall be able TO
| turn him out: while the moment he falls In his
! duty. no influence shall be strong enough 10
! keep him IN.
HOME RULE.
Nothing Is more vital 20 the welfare Of the
| city as conceive than that II be allowed by
| the Legislature to shape its own destinies In
| all matters that are purely local would wish
| the great city - bear its part proudly in all
| the concerns of the Empire State. and willingly
| t. bear it, share of the burdens of the state:
| but a. concerns ,he cty's local affairs. IL Is
/ rot SO much u part Of the state az 1t Is the
home Of it's inhabitants. II am elected. l shall
contend sturdly fpr the cIty's right In such
matters. to govern its"f
PUBLIC FRANCHISES
As 10 the public franchises the Greater New
York charter practically emhodies the doctrine.
that the city shall not part with the owner
ship of its franchises. but shall lease them for
limited periods. subject - occasional revision Of
the terms / think legislation should he had
however in addition to the charter. that will
Of power by street railroads as a new franchise
II Is utterly unrea asonablr that because Of de-
fective legislation these valuable grants should
| continue to be given away without compensa-
tlon TO the city As matters now stand. these
consents are granted by the state Railroad Com
| mission and the city is deprived Of all oppor-
tunIty t. secure return for them. either by
way ~ money payment or by imposing condi-
tions calculated 20 secure a service thoroughly
In the interest Of the public.
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
am heartily in favor Of carrying TO as
speedy completion possible the municipal
rapid transit system for which the people OF the
present city Of Ncw-York voted In November
1894 and IL elected | shall do everything In
my power to facilitate communication between
the various boroughs Of the great city by means
of bridges. tunnels and ferries. Nothing will
do so much as n complete system Of intercom-
munication to unity the people Of all the bor
oughs into one municipality. and to secure for
all parts of the city the maximum advantages
OF consolidation.
EDUCATION AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
should gladly interest myself heartily in
the schools and In all that concerns the higher
life of the people. and should strive earnestly
to promote every municipal interest that makes
for the commercial and business prosperity OF
the city and the welfare OF the citizens. The
harbor and the water front would command my
especial care.
THE RIGHT OF THE LABORER.
'I believe that the labor laws of the state, as
they Apply to the city. should be administered
I'm the letter and in the spirit. This Is the labor
er's right and. in my Judgment. it is emincntly
in the interest of the city.
CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING THE ENCISE
No campaign in the city Of New-Iork turn