New-York tribune., 1901-10-22

MR. SHEPARD AND GENERAL TRACY.
Mr. Low not the only candidate about
whom Mr.. Shepard talked in 1897 to have his
words rise up and confront him to-day He paid
his respects likewise TO General Tracy, and
found fault with the Republican organization
for not then doing what it is doing now, only 10
find its amendment made the pretext of Mr..
Shepard's excuses for opposing the non-partsan
ticket. In the Van Wyck-Low-Tracy cam
paign Mr.. Shepard was deeply impressed by the
wrong that the Republican organization did in
refusing to join in the support Of Mr.. Low. He
held that it was in duty bound 10 do so, and
that General Tracy in becoming the representa-
tive Of partisan policy was doing serious in
jury to the city. He spoke of the General with
that same tone of grieved kindness with which
some of his own friends, seeing him represent
ing the Tammany partisan policy, now speak
of Edward NJ. Shepard. This is what he said
of General Tracy:
He has rendered great public service. 1t is
profound grief 10 me that pure as believe his
every other citizen Of New-York. and that a less
precious piece OF public property was not chosen
as the instrument for betraying the welfare OF
noble city.
Mr. Shepard had no suggestion 10 offer in 1897
that Mr. Lows non-partisanship would be
to have that support, so necessary then and now
TO his success, and thought that General Tracy,
good as might be his motives, was being made
the instrument for betraying the welfare of the
city. Many Republicans thought so, too, and
they subsequently so impressed that belief upon
the managers of the organization that this year
the organization was found doing exactly what
Mr. Shepard urged il ought 10 do, and General
Tracy instead of taking the course which
caused Mr.. Shepard such profound grief, is
found speaking for Mr. Low with an honorable
disregard Of any petty personal feelings, and
handsomely doing his part TO give Mr.. Low that
Republican support against Tammany which
Mr.. Shepard in 1897 urged he should have. Mr..
Shepard trying 10 excuse his own change asks
whether Mr.. Low or the Republican party has
changed, and answers that Mr.. Low has changed.
But in fact, Mr.. Low is the same man, stand
ing on the same platform, nominated by the
same Citizens Union, under the leadership of
the same men. II is the Republican party that
has changed. General Tracy, its former candi-
date, has changed. In changing they have fol-
lowed the path of duty marked out by Edward
NJ. Shepard. And because they have done it
Edward NJ. Shepard says Mr.. Low should be
defeated
And where is Edward NJ. Shepard to-day?
Just where he said General Tracy was in 1897
with one difference. General Tracy was the
candidate, not of Tammany Hall, 'the most
burning and disgraceful blot upon the munich
pal history of this country" but Of an organ
iZation whose offence was failure to forget all
considerations except the defeat of Tammany,
thereby indirectly contributing TO Tammany
success. Mr.. Shepard is the candidate of Tam
many Hall itself. General Tracy's fellow can
didates were reputable men. Mr.. Shepard's
associates are the representatives of the gam
blers and blackmailers. What a profound grief
il ought to be TO Mr.. Shepard that pure as he
believes his own motives. he is blind to what
is clear 10 nearly every other citizen of New
York, and that less precious piece Of public
property than Edward NJ. Shepard was not
chosen as the instrument for betraying the well
fare of a noble city by standing a mask for
the FrOmmes and the Ungers, through whom
Croker, Sullivan and Farrell plan, despite all a
Mayor could do, TO protect their own interests
and local patronage and veto criminal prosecu-
tions of themselves and their friends. How
blind must be the virtuous critic OF General
Tracys negative candidacy that he should him.
self become the positive partner of such an in
famous programme for betraying the welfare
of a noble city,