The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-02
WHAr rnB OIrrsEws, UxIox rs.
rho Character or the Men ControiiinE the
Low Movement.

To THE Epfron OF THE sUS-Sir: Your criticisms OF
tho peculiar courss pursued by certain leaders OF the
Citizens Union are undoubtedly just. Some Other
journals, l see, ascribe 20 these ~professed apostles OF
reform n sincere aud honest purpose. II seems more
TO tho point TO characterize the motives OF some of tho
most voluble OF these professional Savanarolas as
exceedingly Pecksn,n1an in purpose. The legal
luminaries parading as their leaders would be rudely
exposed by an examination OF the careers OF these
men. The vast majority OF this taxpayers
Of New York and Brooklyn are tho small
holders OF real estate. Like wrinkles upon
the faces OF ladies of uncertain age, the ID
Democrats won't ~ia.;er," and will persist in asking
awkward questions as TO the why aud wherefore OF
these many and numerous "~special" counsel fees
bestowed NJ various times during the past twenty
years upon individuals figuring most loquaclously
as tho veriest Spnrtans OF reform and economy. These
ugly facts are not In tune with their lofty pretensions.
The words Of endless denunclation of politicians"
so constantly uttered by certain OF tho smaller legal
lights Of the c, U. would occasion more OF a belief as
TO their sincerity were several OF them to publicly
return a portion OF their counsel fees to the Comp.
troller's onlce. John Brooks Leavitt expresses
"horror" ~ Senator Platts Hypocrisy" II
he will carefully examine tho careers Of
some Of tho most vociferously prctentious
OF his own clique In the C. U. he will become so
t%ransnxcd with despair at the utter absence Of truly
~virtuous humanity as to feel ike seeking the desert
ff~~Sf A"' 50 eDoeh Wv NN"N '"@ sNO"N
useful act he can perform II he be a sincere lover Of
his kind. His constant pos.nring before the public
occasions a feeling OF ennui oven 70 SOM OF the moro
rational of his intimat"s.
An attempt to simpl NIL city of1ces without any
consideration of national politics. which 10 the chief
motive actnat.ng the average voter, seems absurd,
oven II well intended. In the case OF tho conspicuous
members OF the C. u, It sesms to me that
their true controlling motive is the fear that
unless they are able TO influence the next city admin.
istration. their opportunities as to fee receiving will
cease to exist, and another act OF individuals
will enjoy the so. much coveted emoiuments. This IN
certainly the most plausible explanation OF the rule
or ruin policy that seems to possess them.
Another abb urd feature Of this so called bipartisan
movement Is the fact that its chief engineers aud
newspaper hackers are most bitterly hostile to the
national policy OF the party whose votes they so
arrogantly and impudently demand shall DO given
to their candidate.
Though an incorporating Republican on all ma
tional matters since the days OF Lincoln. I havc re-
peatedly voted for individual Democrats in local
elections. l shall assert the same right this year.
and II the Republican convention yields TO
the dictation of the bosses of the c. U. and
dominates its candidate Mt their behest. l for one
have too much reverence for the memory OF James
G. Blaine to assist by my vote In placing in the
Mayors chair OF the Greater New York q man the
powers behind whose throne will be the most ven.
omous and bitterest traducers of the dead statesman.
In such a case I will readily vote for the candidate
Of Tanmany. or ! shall be q simple looker-on.
BRooKLTN. Aug. 81. REPUBLICAN PRIVATE.