New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-06
= APOLOGIST OR TRAITOR -
SHEPARD MUST BE ONE OR THE OTHER
TO CROKER, SAYS WILLIAM
HEPBURN RUSSELL.

Shepard is a weak candidate upon lying
platform, and must either be an apologist for
Croker a traitor to him. I do not know
whether he will prefer the role of Judas that
OF Oakley Hall" said William Hepburn RUSSELL
chairman OF the executive committee of the
Greater New-York Democracy to a Tribune re-
porter yesterday. Mr. Russell has been absent
from the city since the Tammany city conven-
ton
Would Mr.. Shepard, IL elected Mayor of New
York. successfully combat all the vicious tenden-
cies in Tammany Hall that the people are
aroused against at this c.uie?' he was asked
My impression Is" said Mr. Russell that
Mr.. Shepard has accepted the TapInany nom
ination With clear understanding that If elect
ed, he is TO administer the Mayors Office
strict organization man. He is necessarily COM
mitted to the approval of the Tammany admin
issrasion Of the last four years He Will not
have the power. even II re the WILL success
fully to oppose Croker and Crokerisrn.
I'm his speech Of October 13 1888. at the
Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mr.. Shepard said;
tell you. fellow citizens. Republicans and
Democrats that much more is necessary that
the best of men In any office against his viii,
however powerful. is in large measure creature
OF the conditions, instrument of the forces.
which surround him Besides I do not, and
never have looked upon Mr.. Shepard as strong
man. He is an astute lawyer an able rneto-
riciGn but unstable water aad as inccn-
sistent as a weathercock He raistskes vanity
for virtue egotism for enlightenment and
CARDS his political whim of the moment Of
colossal Importance to the community, He ac-
cepts the nomination OF TsmHIany Hall. not
withstanding his past record much as he might
take retainer In a criminal case II is but
step from the attorneyshp OF the Sugar Trust
10 the attorneyship Of the Ice Trust and the Vice
Trust"
Does Mr.. Shepard's record promise anything
satisfactory"
Mr. Shepard has always posed as a reformer.
but what has he ever reformed? 1t is true that
he prosecuted some OF the men with whom at
one time. he in intimate political associa-
tion. Was not the motive that animated that
prosecution the same that animates his ac-
ceptance of the Tammany nomination? Shall
call it desire for notoriety. a desire for
office?
"Shepard's Democracy Is of the skimmilk va
riety. For personal reasons. which he called
political. he Independent candidate for
Mayor of Brooklyn when Edward VI. Grout was
the Democratic regular candidate. and as the
head of the so-called Shepard Democracy, polled
95l0 votes while 1880 straight Democrats. and
good citizens of Brooklyn. voted for Grout.
wurster. the Republican candidate. was elected
by 2,O95 SO that Shepard's reform Democracy
in 1895 gave Brooklyn a Republican Mayor.
and he ran. practically with the avOwed pur-
pose of producing this result.
In 1896 Shepard bolted the Democratic
tional ticket, and denounced the Democratic
party and its leader in that campaign Wig
orously as he assaied Tammany in 1891 In
1900 he experienced change of heart. and
in Bryan the Moses of Democracy. Men who.
like myself stood firm for Democracy IN 1856
as we'll as in 1900 do rot like the Shepard vary
ing winds of destiny.
I'm 1897 he declared that the Tammany ticket
represents the most insolent and audacious
we'll as the most reckless attack we have yet
known upon the welfare of the create New
York and of the masses, and especially the less
fortunate masses of it's people. And comment
ing at the same time. upon Tammanys claim
10 virtue he speaks thus of Croker and his asso-
ciates They are the same men. the same bosses.
the same inspirations, the same results precisely,
as at the time when our little friend. Mr.. Lexow,
made his investigation. Do want that thing
do we want that thing in Brooklyn? If they
can stand it in New-York. we cannot stand for
it in Brooklyn The most burning and disgrace
full blot upon the municipal history OF this coun-
try is the career of Tamnnany Hail. And it is
this 'insolent and audacious ticket, this burn
ing and disgraceful blot upon the municipal
history of this country. for which Mr.. Shepard
must stand in this campaign Why does he
stand for 1t? The answer is not far 70 seek
If Shepard wins. Croker dominates the Demo-
cratic party in the state of New-York. With
Croker dominating the Democratic party in the
next State convention, Shepard becomes the
logical Democratic candidate for Governor. and
Shepard's candidacy to-day stands for an at
tempt TO change the burning ana Gissracefui
blot from municipal to State history
did Senator Platt dictate the nomination Of
Seth Low?''
He most certainly did not II is within my
nersonal knowledge that Mr. Low was at no time
the personal choice of Senator Platt for the
nomination He unques ionaby believed that
strong independent Democrat ought to be NOM
mated and il a Republican was 10 be the nom
inee Mr. Low not his personal ehoice
Savaral hotels and camps at Lake Placid Saranac
Lake Paul Smiths. Saranac Inn. Raquette Lake
Rssver River Big Moose. Old Forge. Fulton Chaln
and other points in the Adirondack Mountains VII