New-York tribune., 1900-11-10
FOR MAYOR OF NEW-YORK.

The great problem confronting New-York to-
day is the rescue Of its municipal government
from the corrupt hands Of Tammany Hail. 1t
is not problem easy of solution. Many honest
men hold many different opinions concerning
methods and candidates. Every organization
interested In the redemption of the city is in
danger of assuming that its favorite is the only
safe instrument of reform, or at least that some
other organizations favorte is impossible Of
acceptance. This unfortunate tendency is more
the result of ignorance and restricted outlook
than of any conscious purpose TO rule ruin.
Men finding a certain view held In their own
small circle easily believe 1t is the general
view among people of similarly high motives,
and that those who urge another course must
do so with sinister purpose.
We believe that the great body of Repub-
lcans and anti-Tammany Democrats and indie
pendents are alike sincerely desrous of organ
izing to the best advantage to secure good
government. and at the right time of nom
mating the candidate for Mayor whom the
people really want. We therefore begin this
morning an enterprise designed to discover
who is desired by the mass OF people. We
publish a form of ballot, asking all who are
interested in the government Of the city TO
send in the expression of their first and second
choice for Mayor. In that way 1t Is hoped to
test public opinion, and get an idea not OF the
favorites Of various groups Of politicians, but Of
the rank and file of the population, who are
really the people to be consulted, though they
seldom make their wishes manifest in the
selection of candidates among whom they must
choose their officers. This opportunity to have
a voice in the anti-Tammany movement is open
to everybody, regardless of condition or party.
The question of good municipal government is
-
alike suffer from blackmaiIing and corruption.
1t is not one of condition-the humblest tenant
as we'll as the richest landowner needs honest
administration AS Burke impeached Warren
Hastings '1n the name of human nature itself,
every age, in the name of every rank" so
New-York impeaches Tammany, ''the common
enemy and oppressor Of all"; and it is right to
look to all men among the oppressed who have
any opinion to give for light on their desires in
connection with this problem.
The Tribune hopes to receive and publish the
result of a vast number Of expressions. 1t is
not undertaking in the least to forestall the
selection of a candidate, which may wisely be
postponed for many months. Its purpose is
merely to find out how people are thinking, TO
reveal NEWCOMERS to themselves, so that
when they actually come to the definite work of
nominating they may do 1t with some knowl
edge Of public feeling. This self-revelation
will help to correct the mistakes of men who
hold their own opinions so close to them
that they are bad judges of political condi-
tons and practical possibilities. If Tam
many is to be overthrown it must be by work
in harmony with political conditions and
practical possibilities. The Tribune has no
candidate 1t Is opposed to no candidate. Its
sole desire is that the best candidate shall at the
right time be chosen, and that the leaders who
of necessity must manage the campaign shall
have all possible light on the attitude of those
for whom they working. Therefore, let
everybody vote for whomsoever he would most
like to see In the Mayors chair.