The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-17
NO ELECTION NECESSARY.
GIFTS REPORT THAT BTBRXBoDT II
FOR Low FOR MAYOR

with n Lattlo Moro Tiune Theg OSuid Get the
signatures or All the Voters of the Creator
new York, Except = Few who Are Fimid
so They're Going TO step CanvassinE.
The Citizens Union, through It's press bureau,
made public yesterday a report Of its Sub-Com-
mitteo on Enrolment, which will DO pre-
sentod at tho meeting Of the Executive Com
mittee. to be held at 80 Nassau street this
afternoon. This report sets forth that there has
been an enrolment OF 21.337 members in this
city, and that 80, 2e1 signatures have been re-
ceiyed asking for the nomination and election Of
Seth Low for Mayor. These signatures, or bal
lots as the committee calls them, are classified
as follows: From this city, 20, 34S; from Brook
lyn, 10. 600; from Queens. 629; from Richmond.
8sl. The statement Is made that comparison
has been made with the enrolment and all
duplicates among the ballots have been stricken
out. Tho enrolment Ii therefore added to the
number Of ballots. and the total is declared to
be representative OF tho sentiment favorable to
Mr.. Low.
Tho head Of tho press bureau declares that the
ballots received from outside boroughs arc Tho
result Of spontaneous volunteer action" al
though Secretary Clark reported the other day
that hve-eighths Of those from Brooklyn were
secured by paid canvassers In Now York city.
The press bureau man further says:
I'm regard to this canvass 1t should be eN-
planned that while all districts have undergone
some work, so that the result is thoroughly rep
| resentative, it is estimated that not moro than
half the area has been canvassed. and the figure
OF 20, 34s may safely be duplicated In estimat-
ing tho result Of an exhaustive canvass"
Duplicated is supposed to mean doubled. Tho
report OF tho enrolment made BIZ Statesman
John B. Pine, the Chairman, says among other
things:
About 800 enrol,ments arc received daily.
and the indications are that this number Will
grow steadily. A considerable proportion of
those who sign the Low ballots ask to become
members Of the Union.
The canvass which was undertaken to test
the popularity OF Mr.. Low as . candidate for
Mayor seems TO your committee to have placed
that question beyond all possible doubt.
Every signature has been subjected to the
closest scrutiny. and all which appeared to be
of doubtful authenticity have been thrown out
Attempted frauds, OF which thore have been
but few, have generally boon betrayed by the
Great care was taken in selecting csnvsssera
to appoint only men who were known to be
responsible and trustworthy. They were paid
Where the names have been shown to DO
fictitious or 10 have been forged; the Ganvassei
and all signatures reported by him have been
"People of the most diverse political views
are among the signers and among those who
have helped to secure signatures: Ono group
OF five men who have worked together was com
posed of a free trader, a hish-tarif man. q mug
wump. o single-taX man. and n socialist
The deduction is drawn from this that national
politics should play no part in q municipal cam
paign. One OF the closing paragraphs of this re
port shows how much value Is to be placed or
petitions signed on solicitation by paid can
vassers.
"A remarkable feature OF the canvass hal
been the readiness with which all who have beer
asked have signed. A small percentage favor
ing Mr.. Lows nomination have refused to sign
through fear of losing business or through dreac
of political pressure. but there have been 81
few refusals that IL Is evident that tho number
OF signatures can DO increased almost inded
nitely IL the canvass is continued and extended
Secretary John q. Clark said last evening tina
the work OF securing signatures to the Low pc
tition Is practically completed, but that a fev
canvassers will be kept at work for two or thre'
days more.
President Quigg OF the Republican Count!
mmi read Statesman Pines. report
smiled at tho ingenious statement that tn,
number OF signatures for Mr.. Low might b
continued almost Indefinitely and said he
had NO comment to make.
Republican National Committeeman Fred
erick s. Gibbs asked, Whats tho use OF hold
ing an election ."