The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-15
Mr. Lows Fallaoies ana Inconsistent
cieR.

Mr. Lows F~allaoies and Iuconsisten-
ciea.
Mr.. SETH Lows views and general OBJ
servations, as expressed In his letter from
Northeast Harbor, are important neither
intrinsically nor politically, except 80 far as
they are fallacious and mischievous. They
present and define no issues which will
enter into the municipal canvass strictly,
though the pretence of his movement is
that it's sole purpose is to exclude all ex-
cept municipal issues purely.
He starts out by repeating that In case of
election ne will not consent to be under
any other obligation Ethan the obligation
of the official oath as Mayor to make the
interests of the city the paramount concern
in the discharge Of every duty" This is
mere surplusage and an unseemly exhibit
ton of self-righteousness. In fact, there Is
no such official oath. The oath which the
Mayor takes, in common with members of
the Legislature and all other public officers,
is that he will support the Constitution of
the United States and the Constitution of
the State of New York." and twill faith.
fully discharge the duties" of the same
according to the best of my ability"
Does not that very oath bind municipal
politics indissolubly with State and ma.
tional politicsR
Actually any man elected Mayor is
obliged to " make the interests of the city
the paramount concern in the discharge of
every duty" whether he was nominated by
an organized political party or by his per-
sonal and irresponsible agents on the
strength of a petition, to get signatures for
which they employed paid canvassers. Every
Mayor must administer his Office under the
laws, and If he violates them the charter of
the Greater New York provides for his re-
moval. The people Of this republic trust
no mans "fear of GOD" in Office, but sur
round him with the safeguards of law to
keep him in fear of their punishment for
disobedience.
Mr.. Low declares that he will not use his
official patronage for the purpose of either
strengthening or weakening one party or
another, or any faction of any party"
Then he will not make the interests Of
the city the paramount concern in the dis
charge of every duty" The strengthening
of the party of law and order and of social
stability against an organized party work
ing for their destruction is now the para
mount concern of any Mayor fit for cleo
tion and the man to be elected will be put
In office by the one or the other sentiment.
Nothing" says Mr.. Low. " is more vital
to the welfare of the city than 1t be allowed
by the Legislature to shape its own desti-
mics in all matters that are purely local."
He was himself a member of the commits
atom yuhiDh Iroftal Tho nla,to. % A.
Greater New York, and he Joined with his
colleagues in a unanimous recommendation
that it be adopted by the Legislature. The
city is allowed to shape it's destinies within
the limitations of that charter, but it can
go no further. II Mr.. Low thinks the city
should be allowed more latitude as to them,
why did he not put it in the charter or OBJ
ject to the adoption of that act of incorpo.
ration by the Legislaturel "If l am elect
ed" he says, 81 shall contend sturdily for
the city's right in such matters to govern
itself" Is not the exact measure of that
self'goyernment already fixed by the char
ter approved by Mr.. Lowe His words are
mere buncombe.
The inference from what he says about
"eXcise legislation" is that he favors local
option for New York, but that ia not a local
and municipal issue. 1t is a matter resting
solely in the power and discretion of the
State Legislature. from which Mr.. Lows
canvass is totally separated by his nom
partisan and strictly municipal princi-
pies. The charter gives the city no
such self-government. Why did not Mr..
Low put it in if he regards it as
a privilege properly belonging to the
people of this citya Under the Raines
law, which, Mr.. Low says, contains the
germ of an excise system far better than
that which it supplanted," the excise regu.
lation rests with the State, and the city has
nothing to do with 1t, except to enforce the
law through its police and machinery of
Justice like all other laws of the State.
Moreover, Democratic policy especially has
always been opposed TO local option in
his State, demanding general LIQUOR
legislation. The Raines liauor tax
law is not at all a municipal issue, and
cannot be brought into the coming cam.
paign except as a State issue, through the
election OF Assemblymen, from which Mr..
Low Is dcbarred from interference by the
very principle on which he bases his non.
partisan candidacy. Even If he were elect.
ed Mayor and tried to betray that principle
by tampering with the Raines law he
could accomplish nothing, for he would
have no power. All he would have to do
with 1t would be to enforce it under the
obligations OF his oath. His talk about it,
therefore,, is mere demagogy presuming on
popular ignorance.
AS to public franchises. 81 think" he
says, Legislation should be had in addition
TO the charter" That is another State mat.
To-, from interference with which Mr.. Low