The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-16
THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS IDEA

There is in the field today but one
bona f1de acknowledged candidate for
mayor of the city of Worcester. That
man is the present mayor. He seeks a
denomination from his party and re-
election from the citizens of Worces-
ter, not because of any partisan SER
vice, but as an endorsement of his
work for the city during the past year
and because of the fact that he be-
1ieves he can be of more value during
the coming year than during the past.
Against him is arrayed small but
noisy faction of his own party who are
doing much to bring to his support the
independent voters of the city who
number many thousands.
While there are no candidates in the
field with pledged delegates behind
them seeking the Republican nominal
ton, there are many men, who, if they
were spared the trouble of a contest,
would accept the nomination.
1t is pretty generally believed that
William A. Lyle would accept another
nomination from his party if it were
rendered him without a contest B. w.
Potter, who contested Mr.. Lytle's first
nomination last year, would probably
consent to run If the unanimous nom
ination were given him.
This list might be extended to con-
siderable length. Day by day the feel
ing is made more evident, especially
among people outside the ordinary
political current, that the second term
argument ought not and must not be
ignored. 1t will be remembered that
General Sprague was reelected against
an exceedingly strong opponent be-
cause of this same feeling.
The opposition of few of the Demo-
cratic newspapers and some noisy
Democratic politicians will help the in
dependent Republicans, who believe in
avoiding partisanship as much as pos
sible in city affairs, to support Mayor
O'Connell in the event of the nomina-
ton of a Republican in whom they
have not the greatest confidence. TIC
them, right or wrong, the city election
is a matter more of men than of party
politics.
1t certainly seems deplorable if the
separation of men caused by differ
ences over national politics should ex-
tend always and irrevocably into mu-
nicipal affairs. The taxes that a mar
pays are largely devoted to municipal
purposes. The city is simply large
business corporation. Every Taxpayer
is a stakeholder. Why the Democracy
of the mayor should always preclude
a Republican from voting openly and
honestly for him we fail TO see. The
Democrats have for twenty years beer
expected to vote for one of two Repub.
ncans and false and unnecessary issues
have been Joined sometimes to get &
municipal campaign under way.
II is a false idea that a politica
party can be strengthened by using
the party lash at municipal elections
though we assume that the Republican
city convention will not dare to de.
part from its custom Of making {
straight Republican nomination.
notwithstanding the present dubious
aspect Of Republican politics, that con.
vention may wisely nominate a Repub-
Hcan for mayor who can be triumph
antly elected and who can do better
for the city than the present incum-
bent. Very well What we do hope that
the Republicans of Worcester will
avoid is the hypocrisy and meanness OF
nominating a candidate with the tacit
understanding that he is to be sacri-
feed.
If a large proportion of Republicans
are going to vote for Mayor O'Connel
any way, il some are going to pretend
TO vote for the Republican ticket and
really not vote or vote for Mayor
o'Connell, we should have feelings OF
shame and disgust over the situation
There is an exceedingly sensible let.
ter published in another column tc
which we call attention of our readers