New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-13
Mr.. VAN TYCK'S LETTER.

Mr. Van Wyck's letter of acceptance Ia just
what It was expected TO be, paraphrase Of
the Syracuse platform. emphasizing the sub
jccts emphasized by that PLATFORM and treat
ing with tender silence the subjects on which
it WAS silent. Mr. Van Wyck was not more
complacent toward the organization which
makes opinions for him in 1896. when Obcdi-
cnt TO It's orders. he became voter for Bryan
md believer I'm the freesilvor doctrine which
he darcs not AZ present 10 discuss. People who
remember how anxious the Democrats were in
1891 and again in 1884 to elect n Governor
without any reference 10 State issues will be
amused NJ the serious mir with which Mr Van
Wyck asserts MS principle Of Democracy that
National issues have no place IN n State cam
paiGn. Perhaps It makes 10 difference to the
business men Of this State whether NewYork
Is In the 1ryanite column and It's government
turned over to the Tamnany organization and
Used TO give thirty-sx electoral votes to the
next Bryanitc candidate, who will be support
cd By Tammany as surely as was the last
Perhaps TO put free-slver innn In control of the
patronage Of this State this year will not make
It harder for sound money men to carry Il two
years hence. But certainly 1t does make diff
ference whether a silver Senator and silver
Congressman are sent to Washington and Mr.
Van Wyck is working to send them there I'm.
der cover Of his silence Oh the money question.
or course, Mr.. Van Wyck devotes much
space to the canal issue. 1t IS perhaps. tho
best issue he has. though TO make 1t effective
he feels obliged 10 libel his opponent with the
suggestion that 1.-The sOber-m taxpayers
"of this State will not intrust TO wrongdoers
"whosc malfeaSance has been made manifest
"the task of reforming removing and eradi-
eating themselves: notwithstanding Colonel
RoOsevclt's specific declaration that eff upon
invest CATION, It shall prove that either the
System or the methods of administration are
wrong. then they shall be changed; and If II
shall prove that any man has been dishonest
''he shall most assuredly be punished" and the
universal knowledge that whatever FAINT is 10
bc found with the canal management Colonel
Roosevelt IS not the wrongdocr, is not respon-
sble for him. and will substitute ne other
wrongdoer for him, of which last fact there is
no assurance In the case of Mr. Van Wyck. I'm
view OF past Democratic jobbPry in the canals
and Senator Murphy'S foresight in claiming the
nomination for State Engineer as his own Mr..
Van Wyck objects 10 the Raines law par
tisan and oppressive. though he fails to specify
bow. His Democratic supporters will doubt
less recognize that II Is partisan In taking the
LIQUOR business out Of politics and freeing the
saloons from their control. The subject Of low
taxation commands his attention. hut he fails
10 note the present low tax rate and compare Il
with tine tax rate which prevailed in tho time
OF Governor Hill and Governor Flower. He is
also indignant over the present legislative ap-
por,ionmcnt. but appears to forget that he is
denouncng to the voters what they themselves
adopted by majority Of over 10000. when in
1894 the proposed apportionmcnt was submit
ted 10 them. ms a distinct question separate
from the rest NJ the Constitution and from all
other matters on which they were voting that
year If that apportlonmcnt was Republican
outrage. all that can he said Is that the people
like TO he outraged.
After reviewing the Syracuse platform and
announcing its declarations ms his own. Mr.
Van Wyck says that he does not wish TO 10
"rcticcnt or evasivo where the party has seen
iii 10 he explicit" and II must bc admitted that
hc hns not been. But the trouble with him IS
that he is rcticcnt and cvasivc where the party
has not seen fit 10 he explicit. Everybody
knows what Mr.. Van Wyck thinks abont Mr.
Cookers platform. What people want to know
IS what he thinks on subjects Mr. Croker and
the Democracy are rcticent about. In addition
to silver there is, for instance. the matter OF
honest elections. Would Mr. Van Wyck mp
prove OF n new Maynard steal. Ike the one
the Democrats defended and sought TO make
tho voters approve. II such course were neccs-
sary 10 secure control " the State government
or return Edward Murphy to ;hc seat Maynard
and Danforth stole for him? Would Mr.. Van
Wyci help Danforth to repeat the banking eX
pcrimcnts with State funds which he made for
the benefit Of tho Madison Square Bank?
Would he be rs much Of partisan when Mr..
Croker attempted TO use the state government
70 further Tammany schemcs-p"rhnps r. re-
build the Infamous system Of police h'ackma
which Theodore Roosevelt destroyed-cs he
was when ne let tho Chicago fanatics order
him TO believe IN free silver and In the packing