The record-union., 1899-10-21
OF CANDIDATES AND BOSSES.


ems, candidate for Mayor, constantly
assails Mr.. Clark, Republican candi-
date for the Mayoralty, on the as
serted ground that he and the Repubn-
can ticket are the product and tools
of political bosses whom it asserts are
Daroux and Cavanaugh. The changes
are rung on these names as if those
men owned the party and the city, and
were themselves the candidates. This
mendacity is constant. but it is inef-
fective. The people are not to De de-.
ceived by it. However, let us see how
the two tickets were made.
The Republican party held caucuses
in the wards. They were advertised
freely with time, place, ETC., clearly set
forth. All Republicans We're invited
to attend The meetings were open.
and not the slightest obstacle was in
terposed to large attendance, free ex-
preston or perfectly unrestricted ac-
ton. But at the caucuses in all of
which there was lively and spirited in
terest, the nominees for delegates were
openly selected. No freer, more rep
resentative or more open party meet
ings could be held Then came the
primaries, conducted under the law and
absolutely free from anything in the
slightest degree indicating control.
trickery, chicane or manipulation.
There were two tickets in the field and
there was a strong fight made by the
friends Of Mr.. Clark and Mr.. Land.
Thus the delegates were chosen-the
Clark ticket winning-with entire
freedom for every person in the city
wishing to vote at the primary to
do so in perfect secrecy, and for whom
ever he pleased. Then came the con-
vention which, as we have already said,
was one of the most representative
ever held In the city. That conven-
ton made the nominations and thus
we have the Republican ticket.
How was it on the Democratic side?
No caucuses were held, no meetings of
the party open to its members an
nounced. But bare majority Of the
Central Committee, which had split
apart at the will of boss, named the
delegates to be voted for in the p1i-
maries and they were chosen without
any spirit or interest being manifest.
When as a convention they me+, the
vote for them being, by the way, the
smallest ever cast at a Democratic pri-
mary in this city, they put up the tick
ct headed by Mr. Stephens
So far as any boss influence had to
do with 1t, the whole business was
manipulated, managed and backed by
Isador Alexander, if we are to believe
that alleged bosses had any particu-
lar influence at all on either side. The
truth is. this chatter about local bosses
in the pending campaign is silly. sense
less and baseless. This ringing Of the
changes on the names of Cavanaugh
and Daroux, could just as well be re-
peated by the Republicans sounding
the tocsin of alarm that Alexander is
about to swallow the city and digest
its economics also. This sort Of thing
tends to create the impression that
such men possess power they have not.
For it is quite the same as having such
power, to have the reputation of pos
sessing it. The day has gone by, how
ever. for that. That order of men can
no more than pretend to exercise their
influence over that which they have no
power to control
Now compare the two processes of
ticket making we have described, and
let voters declare which was the most
American, free, Embossed, open and
representative of interest on tne part
Of voters. But assume for arguments
sake that on each side there was some
thing Of the impudence of bossism in
the late prediction activities--it viii
be seen that on the Democratic side the
very method was followed that a boss
would wish pursued If he had ulterior
designs, and power to accomplish them.
The news this morning is that Agui-
naldo has applied for permission to send
to Manila a new peace commission,
headed by one of his Generals. He
ought to be refused. because not one of
the previous commissions have proved
sincere. They have come in with great
show of anxiety to make peace, but
once in they proposed terms simply i'm
possible of acceptance. Then they spied
out the city. returned to their camps
and the insurrection took on new vigor
These commissions are simply willy
schemes to get men into the city to
communicate with their secret friends,
10 spy out the situation and to gain
time. But if they are to be heard once
more they should be met between the
lines and the discussion be held in the
open field Aguinaldo knows perfectly
we'll the only terms upon which he
will be given rest; absolute surrender,
acknowledgement of the authority of
the United States, and then, ii should
be added, the retiracy from the country
Of Mr.. Aguinaldo himself He might
be given a ticket to come over here
where he can commune with his cop
perhead brethren. He would serve as
curiosity and would be where he
could do no possible harm. Besides,
he might turn an honest penny by hir-