New-York tribune., 1901-12-21
REPUBLICANS IN THE CITY GOVERNMENT,


Mr. Low yesterday announced the names OF
several of the members Of his official family
selected from the Republican wing of his sup
porters They will be received with approval
both by their party and the general public
Some time ago the Mayor-elect gave 1t 10 De
understood that in making appointments. other
things being equal he would prefer the active
nsrtlcipant in politics and worker for the over
throw of Tammany to the person who holdS
aIoof from the hard work of campaigns he
has with good reason now taken several OF MS
assistants from the ranks of Republican work
ers The organization supported him earnestly
and furnished the majority or the votes neces-
sary for his election. 1t has made no Claims 10
patronage and has kept its pledge to uphold MI
Low without regard TO the distribution OF loaVes
and fishes. Mr. Low recognizes the Republican
marty however as one of the necessary props
of a successful administration and naturally de-
sireS its cooperation. He also sees the pro-
prietv of taking some of his assistants from
among the active organization men or ablllty
and integrity In so doing he serves not only
his own Immediate purposes as head Of the city
government. but tends to promote honest poll
tics in all parties The idea that good govern
ment is not to be looked for from active party
politicians is one of the most harmful ever circu-
the management of parties over to the bad ele-
rents in them, and TO create organized oppo-
sition out of what might under proper leader
shin have been powerful assistance TO reforms.
The old type of district leaders which at one
time disgraced the Republican organization IN
this city has been giving way before the work
of earnest and honest men to place the control
of their districts in worthy hands who would
use party power for the public benefit. One or
the leaders in the fight against the old selfish
ness and corruption is McDougall Hawkes.,
named for Dock Commissioner. He is district
leader who stands for the progressive policy OF
President Morris and has won his district away
from the old Tammany Republicans. His busi-
ness and personal reputation mark him as
man excellently equipped to discharge the duties
of the office to which he has been named. Will
lam R. Wilcox, who is to be Park Commissioner
for Manhattan and Richmond, and doubtless
president of the Park Board. is not a district
leader, but he is an energetic party worker. He
was the Republican candidate for Congress
against o. H. 2. Belmont last year, and in
heavily Democratic district made a strong cam
paign and greatly reduced the Democratic ma
iority. Mr.. Wilcox is a lawyer, has been inter
ested in East Side settlement work, and Is ex-
pected to devote much attention to the question
of small marks He can also doubtless be
trusted to take an enlightened view of the
larger questions of park management and con-
tinue the development Of Central Park in har-
mony with the ideals Of landscape art which in
spired Olmsted in creating 1t, but which have
not been faithfully followed Dy Tammany- 1t
is understood that Mr.. Wilcox was not a candi-
date for any office under the city admtnistra-
ton, and reluctantly consented TO accept Mr-
Lows invitation.
Thomas Sturgis, Mr. Lows selection for Fire
Commissioner held that office for a time under
Mayor Strong and made excellent record.
He is a business man Of large experience and
the highest reputation for integrity. He can be
implicitly trusted to break up the scandalous
practices which under Scannell have made the
CITY pay unreasonable prices for supplies, and
extorted from merchants as commissions for
favorites their fair profit on sales to the city.
The president of the Department Of Taxes and
Assessments is TO be James L. Wells, who was
the fusion candidate for President of the Bor-
oucb of The Bronx. He is prominent real
estate man and is well qualified for his new
work. Mr. Lows Republican appointments
fully measure up to the standard set by his
earlier Democratic selections.