Evening journal., 1897-09-14
HIS ANSWER Is YES.
Mr.. Low Will Run For First Mayor
OF the Greater New York.
WILL BE FREE FROM PARTISAN TIES.
In Lengthy Letter He Explains His Po-
sition the Civil Service and the
Excise Laws and Promises Loy-
al Service TO the City.

night at the headquarters Of the union. /
It is as follows:
Gentlemen accept with a deep sense
Of responsibility the nomination that |
you have offered me in your communi-
cation of Sept 1. So far as the express
sion Of popular desire which accompa-
n'ts It implies confidence in me- It will |
De a lifelong inspiration and a strong |
impulse. in the event of my election. to |
fulfill the expectations of those for
whom you speak. l take 1t for granted |
that this nomination is offered subject |
to the expressed conditions stated in |
my letter to a committee Of the Citi- |
zens' union dated June Z, which letter |
was used as a basis of your canvass, and |
in which l said that 1 could accept no
nomination If there was attached to it
any obligation, expressed or implied, in
case of my election, other than the OBJ
legation of the official oath as mayor to
make the interests of the city the para
mount concern in the discharge of
every duty.
/ am a Republican, and l expect to
remain one, but / am completely in
sympathy with the purposes Of the Citi-
zens' union to secure a mayor for the
great city who shall be free from all
partisan obligations" Such a mayor. If
elected, 1 snail certainly be.
The civil service laws Of the state
shall be impartially enforced by such
methods as will insure a practicable
and reasonable test Of fitness and the
selection Of subordinate officers upon
their merits, irrespective Of political in
fluence, so as to afford a fair chance
TO every citizen without regard to race,
religious belief or political affiliation. 1t
shall be my endeavor to build up in all
parts OF the public service a spirit of
honest pride, based upon the well set
tied conviction on the part of every per-
son in the city's employ that so long
as his services are needed and he rem
ders them faithfully and we'll no iniu-
ence in the city shall be able to turn
him out. while the moment he fails In
his duty no influence shall be strong
enough to keep him in.
Nothing is more vital TO the welfare
of the city, as I can see it, than it be
allowed by the legislature TO shape its
own destinies in all matters that are
purely local. l would wish the great
city to bear it's part proudly in all that
concerns the Empire state; but as con-
Germs the citys local affairs. it Is not
so much a part Of the state as it is the
home Of its inhabitants If I am elect
ed l shall contend sturdily for the city's
right in such matters to govern itself.
AS to the public franchises, the Great
er New York charter practically em-
bodies the doctrine that the city shall
not part with the ownership Of its fran
chses. but shall lease them for limited
periods subject to occasional revision
of the terms. think legislation SHOULD
be had, in addition to the charter, that
will enable the city to treat every con-
sent to a change of power by street rail-
roads as a new franchise.
It is utterly unreasonable that be-
cause Of defective legislation those val
liable grants should be continued to be
given away without compensation to
the city. AS matters now stand. these
consents are granted by the state rail-
road commission and the city is de-
prived of all opportunity to secure a re-
turn for them either by way Of a money
payment or by imposing conditions cal
culated to secure a service thoroughly
in the interest of the public.
I am heartily in favor of carrying to
as speedy completion as possible the
municipal rapid transit system for
which the people Of the present city of
New York voted for in November 1894.
and If elected. I 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 a complete system of intercommuni-
cation to unity the people Of all the
boroughs into one municipality and to
secure for all parts of the city the maxi
mum advantages of consolidation.
I should gladly interest myself hearth
ly in the schools and in all that con-
Germs the higher life Of the people, and
should strive earnestly to promote ev-
cry municipal interest that makes for
the commercial and business prosperity
of the city and the welfare of the cit
liens. The harbor and the water front
would command my especial care.
No campaign in the city Of New
York turning on local issues can be
conducted in the present condition OF
excise legislation without some refer
ence to the excise question. The Raines
law. in my belief, contains the germ OF
an excise system far better than that
which it supplanted in that it has re-
lieved the liquor traffic of the arbitrary
control of excise boards and has substi-
tuted for this a grant of explicit rights
that can be enforced at law. Where
the Raines law failed as applied to New
York It fails because it does not take
into account the public sentiment of ths
city New York, while characteristics
ally an American city is also as tn,
Germans say a world city.
It Is cosmopolitan in fact and cos
mopolitan in sentiment Men of ev.
cry sort of upbringing must be able I,
live in such a city happily and natu
rally, Of course, with due regard TO tn,
rights and convictions of others. Leg
isators on this subject should neve
forget that the excise law stands mid
way between the laws that everybody
believes in and the dead laws that no
body believes in. and that the effective
public sentiment behind it locally is tn
only permanent force on which TO de
pend in its administration. For thi
reason, in my opinion. an excise law, 81
far as II affects the daily life and tn
habits of the people should reflect tn
public opinion Of the city On sucl
points, in case of radical differences o
opinion, 1 should take the appeal to tn
people themselves. In a community lilS