New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-11
REPLY TO uR. SMITHS LETTER.
WHAT r. FrLToN CUTTING SAYS REGARDING
THE CITIZENS UNION PLANS.

WHAT X. Fulton CUTTING SAYS REGARDING
THE CITIZENS UNION PLANS.
Both the Central City Committee and the Cam
paign Committee OF the Citizens Union met last
night In the Citizens Union headquarters, No. 42
East Twenty -fhird-st. At the meeting the state
ticket which the Union had in the field was again
discussed, but no action tending to change the
present attitude of abandoning the State candidates
taken
A resolution ndorsng the nominations of Perez
NJ. Stewart and A. +. Seligsburg referred to
the Executive Committee, with power TO act after
consultation with the local committees which have
already made such nominations.
A long reply 10 Charles Stewart Smiths recent
letter, signed by II. Fulton Cutting and j. X. Hatch
made public 1t read In part follows
In its inception the Citizens Union declared:
The separation of municipal from State and Ma
tional politics and the honest efficient and indie
penoeni administration OF the city government are
the principles of the Union
Its objects are to carry these principles
We do not understand that any Gains that
these objects have actually been accomplished or
that municipal affairs have actually been sepa-
rated from State and National affairs by our State
SO far from the Central City Committee, having
da,es we took the action we did take precisely be-
cause we did not feel at liberty to nominate or
hardly be Inferred that our Constitution intended
TO prohibit this committee from making OF &C.
CcplIng provision Tor NOMINATION OF ioi
Office for il expressly left 10 The committee 10
adopt. amend supply a plan under which CITIZENS
Union nominate lions should be made
AS TO the party name aud emblem our duty was
protect and preserve orr night TO and enjoyment
Of them-for effective use Our action has been d.
In view Of late events we believe all must agree
with us that the separation OF city from State and
gained but for which we must Tight. our cleo
ton laws have been devised to prevent our doing SO
successfully and 10 throw about the feet Of those
who would walk straight toward the ends 10 which
the Citizens Union is pledged obstruction that
partisan ingenuity contrive OF how serious are
these Instructions. and of how cunningiy devised
they to ALLEVIATE from us, in any reS0lute nght
for city home rule the support of those whose SYM
pathies believe with us, there could be no
better illustration than the communication of
Messrs Smith and others taken in connection with
the actual situation forth above. 1t will not
be until the of our wcl-meaning fellow citi-
shall more thoroughly appreciate the obstacles
10 be and the lines upon which effort TO be
successful must be made. that we can count upon
the support necessary to achieve the ends of the
Citizens Union
When they once understand the extent 10 which
they have been disfranchsed in order 10 drive
them into partisan State organizations. they will
adopt the only method left them under our laws,
and will put into power State party pledged 10 do
away with the legal disadvantages under which
independent voters are placed. and 20 give real
freedom to this city To manage its own concerns.
Until Of the two great parties In this State shah
take such stand. good citizens must choose be-
tween partisan and municipal interests.