New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
TWAS A COMEDY OF ERRORS
MIR. SHEPARD TALKS CIVIL SERVICE
PRESTO CHANGE! GRADY SHOUTS
FOR SPOILS.

Edward NJ. Shepard made a strenuous and
fairly successful attempt 10 persuade six thou
sand Democrats in the St. Nicholas Rink last
night that Civil Service reform was lust the
kind of medicine that the Tammany tiger need
ed. Then he went away with George Foster
Peabody and Sheriff Walton. of Brooklyn. and
Tom Grady. "A somewhat different exponent
Of Democracy, but who. judging from the snap
and fire of the applause he received, is loved
by Tammany many times better than is Mr..
Shepard-'Tom' came along and kicked Mr.
Shepards Civil Service cob house al Ito pieces.
The Tammany men laughed as they the
pieces fly.
Mr.. Shepard will perhaps read Mr.. Grady's
speech he takes his coffee and rolls this morn
ing He didn't hear it. Had he been there he
would have seen a favorite received with dem
onstrations of genuine affection. He would have
heard him call candidates on the fusion ticket
liars and fakirs and hypocrites
Il shall have to he frank with you the
subject of Civil Service reform" said Mr.. Shep-
ard, impressively Some Of the best years Of
my life have been devoted TO Civil Service
form. and I never meant if intrusted with
power, to convey to any one impression that
l would not use every means within my control
TO further Civil Service reform. You not TO
vote for me unless you understand here and now
that I stand committed TO Civil Service reform.
I here and now make you this pledge:
Il will observe in letter and spirit the Civil
Service law. for believe in it, If the power IS
put into my hands ! shall appoint men to official
position to advance that law, men who love that
law and who believe that it can be put into
practical and successful operation"
No applause Of consequence greeted this sol
emn declaration.
GRADY KNEW THE CROWD.
Mr.. Grady came in Iate-too late to hear Mr.
Shepard's pledge of devotion 10 Civil Service re-
form. Mr.. Grady knew the temper Of his audi
ence. He had been with them before.
I believe in a partisan government" bel
lowed the belligerent Tom as the audience
howled its approval This business admins
tration is all right for those " no haven't felt
the lash and scourge of partisan administra-
ton. Everybody looked puzzled) I believe in
partisan government because it is the only
way to have responsible government in the
world Let the administration of Edward NJ.
Shepard be unfaithfu to the public in this very
particular, and judgment will be visited on
the Democratic party of the five boroughs which
to-day stand sponsor for Edward NJ Shepard's
candidacy"
Yells Of exulting satisfaction greeted this
declaration, and Mr.. Grady was told that he
was all right and knew his business.
L c. T. Grain called the meeting to order
and introduced Register Isaac Fromme. candi-
date for Borough President. Mr Fromme
talked angriy, while the delegations, with bands
and drum corps kept arriving, and little that
he said was heard beyond the press table. He
declared that under the Strong administration
school teachers had been brought to New-York
from "Schenevus and Skineapolis," and then an
inquisitive man in the audience bIurted out:
Say. where is Schenevusp"
Mr Fromme was followed by Senator Thomas
F. Donnelly.
Mr.. Shepard reached the rink at $50 o'clock
and when he walked upon the stage there was
applause that lasted minute A minute later
when he was presented, the applause was re-
sumed and lasted for another minute and A
half
1T is large confidence that I am asking of
you" said Mr. Shepard. and / know very well
that no man is entitled to ask such a confidence
unless he shall in everything deal frankly with
the people whose votes he asks 1 mean in this
campaign, in whatever 1 may say to say il
frankly and fully, and ignore no condition that is
related to the duties of the Mayor of New York
for the next two years"
HE ADMITS VICE IS HORRIBLE
Mr.. Shepard then referred to tie CITY Clubs
latest report on the vicious conditions existing
in this city, and he said the report was drawn
no doubt from a high sense of duty
1T has presented" he continued what
every far-nnded citizen must concede TO be A
rather terrible picture. and no man seeking or
willing 10 accept a great executive office ought
TO be willing to shut out from his view the con-
viction that there does exist this terrible prob-
lem / protest against making any such moral
question political one. say to you that if
Mr. Low can look with horror and talk I'm ex-
trene terms in denouncing the prevailing condi-
tons can talk with greater horror and NV de-
nunclation shall not fall short of anything that
comes from him. / can conceive that the Mayor
of the city should have congnzance of the be-
hayior and of the morals of the police. have
not said there was nothing TO reform; do as
sume and believe that there is much to reform
and If any one says that / stand apologist
for any policy wrong doing the part of the
nolice or any other department i say that the
Thing when said. is false. / decline however
10 give any certificate of appointment, and de-
cline 10 deprive myself of the sworn privilege to
investigate vigorously and vigorously any
v,rongdoing that may be found, in season out
of season (Applause)
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