New-York tribune., 1901-10-14
THE APTFUL DODGER.

1hE AkIFUL DODGER.
Mr. Shepard's excuses for not telling the peo-
pie Of New-York definitely what they may ex-
pect In the Police Department If he becomes
Mayor lay upon the friends who, in spite of his
desertiOn 70 Tammany, have tried TO believe in
his honesty, the heaviest burden they have yet
had TO bear. Some people have suspended Judg-
ment upon his candidacy until they could give
him hearing. He has had the hearing. He
has lodged the issue and shown himself the
willing instrument OF the Croker-D Devery- -Sulli-
van attempt TO control the city offices other than
that OF Mayor, TO dominate the central borough
and keep in their own hands all criminal prose
cutions The result is disastrous TO all his claims
to respectable support. THE Brooklyn Eagle"
which has hitherto been strictly non-committal
In its attitude, now declares that his candidacy
is nothing but a mask and warns him that
"party service is one thing. suicide another"
We have come TO expect casuistry from Mr..
Shepard He is in position where he must
argue himself into belief in the things he wants
TO believe. But we have expected that his
sophistries would at least be worthy OF his
acute intelligence and serious pretensions. His
excuse for not answering the absorbing ques-
ton, "Do you stand with Croker and your plat
form for DeYeryism" however is not casuistic.
1t is not sophistical 1t rises to no such sinister
dignity. 1t is not even pettifogging. 1t is sheer
puerility. The idea that Mr.. Low is even IN
spirit violating the law which forbids candl-
date 10 offer inducements 10 obtain votes by
telling the people what his attitude Will De
toward some notorious scoundrels is so silly
that IL is impossible 10 believe ii was offered
except in the abandoned impudence Of utter
desperation The law as much fOrbids Mr..
Shepard 10 tell Democrats an inducement to
vote for him, that he IS a Democrat and that If
made Mayor he will not use the office 10 hurt
any OrganiZation-which means Tammany Hall
as he promised I'm his speech OF acceptance.
Mr.. Shepard is a keen, clear headed lawyer, and
he knows that such argument is mere juggling
with words and that there is no basis of truth
in IT,
But even If Mr.. Shepard did really think 1t
improper 10 give any distinct pledge al 10 his
future action on any particular matter-which
he does not. because he makes many pledges
concerning particular matters-there is still
nothing TO prevent him from telling the people
frankly and honestly what he thinks of Devery.
He knows the story. He need not pretend that
the mans character is a doubtful question TO
be tried before him. The facts are of record.
There is no mystery about them and hardly any
denial Mr. Shepard's own WillOughby Street
friends have issued n campaign book in which
the character of Deveryism is set forth and
acknowledged. Neither law nor good morals
prevent him from saying whether like Croker,
Van Wyck and Murphy. he approves that rec
ord or regards II with righteous indignation.
He is as free 10 say that he detests Deveryism
as he would be 10 express his adherence Of the
deed of CzoIgosz. Indeed. his own words, care
fully as they are picked 10 avoid committal,
show his opinion. II he refuses TO express it
plainly for any other cause than that Croker
Devery and Sullivan control Tammany votes,
and he does not dare say definitely what he
thinks of rascalities they favor, the reason IS
deeply hidden.
Mr.. Shepard appeals TO the voters TO elect
him because for the first time in Greater New
York there is TO be chosen a Mayor with ade-
"quate and, legally speaking. absolute power 10
control the departments OF the city government
"during all OF his administration. Until now the
"appointees of the Mayor have after a short
period become themselves independent heads
whom the Mayor could not control because he
"could not dismiss them. Their tenure has been
"as secure as his own. The next Mayor, on the
"other hand. will have absolute power of dis
"missal" He dsingenuously forgets 70 mention,
however, the fact that the new charter likewise
takes from the Mayor many powers. He may
control his own heads of departments. but
through them he Will no longer control the citys
expenditures. II the Tammany ticket IS elected
Croker's Controller and President of the Board
OF Aldermen Sullivans Borough President,
Fromme, the gamblers adviser. and other faith
full henchmen will dominate the Board of Esti-
mate, and Frank Farrelrs District Attorney
will be able 10 shape criminal prosecutions.
That is the sort Of government Mr.. Shepard is
preparing TO give this city under cover of his
own professions Of austere morality. He knows
it. He knows how much power would be in
the hands Of that fOulest blot upon municipal
history, no matter how honest or firm he might
himself be in opposition. Yet he Is trying 10
give that organization this power in return for
its giving him the office which it, still pursuing
its career Of corruption, can get along without.
Mr.. Shepard should remember that there are
limits beyond which even friends belief in his
sincerity and honesty Of purpose cannot be
stretched without breaking.