Evening star., 1901-10-17
Seth Low Will Not Return to the
University
no MATTER HoV SELECTION GOES
Betting in New York About Even
81 Ff
on Candidates Now.
BOTH SIDES UNEAS
special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
NEW YORK, October 16, 1901
1t can be definitely announced that no
matter what the results of the present mu-
nicipal campaign Seth Low does not intend
to return to the presidency of Columbia
University. To quote his own language in
this connection he 'has burned his bridges
behind him." Four years ago when,
through the failure of the republicans to
fuse with the anti-Tammanyites, Seth Low
was defeated by the present mayor, Robert
Van Wyck, the request of the boaro of
trustees and the faculty for Lows return
was practically unanimous.
The college had planned a removal from
the down town location to the present mag
nifcent site on University Heights, and it
was believed that Low more than any other
man had the confidence Of the business men
of the community, and that he better than
all others was able to finance the deal for
the upbuilding of a beautiful modern uni
versity. However, conditions are different
now and Low is on record as saving that
the university is in fair running shape and
that the emergency that existed when he
went back to his first love after his defeat
in the last municipal campaign does not
exist today. Those most intimately asso-
ciated with him in his work at Columbia
say that though the president would In all
probability not acknowledge it or even rec
rather restless and to large extent has
tired of the routine duties of the university
during the past year. This isnot to say that
he has not been earnest and enthusiastic
In his work, for Low is earnest and enthu-
siaStic in everything that he undertakes
But he has felt for year past that he has
been tied down too closely to the details
of the work of the university and that he
could accomplish more in other ways.
Both Parties Uneasy.
TT iS Strapoe fact coppau,ba+
upon at the present time, that there is a
feeling of uneasiness in both the republi-
can and democratic camps, the fusionists
fearing second defeat for Low and many
of the democrats being convinced that
Shepard cannot win. Nevertheless, this
feeling appears stronger among the demo-
Gratis than among the republicans. Perhaps
this is the reason why the betting has been
about even or slightly in favor of the fu-
sionists. Heretofore Tammany's favorite
argument has been to clinch predictions by
betting, Richard Croker himself leading
with wagers which opened the eyes Of his
followers. Up to the present time Croker
has not started his betting campaign, and
some people are arguing that either he does
not care to throw away good money, or
else he has proceeded along the lines SO
often commented upon-viz., forcing the
nomination of Shepard out Of revenge for
the attacks made upon him by the Brook
lyn Independents, hoping thereby to crush
Shepard's ambition for all time. AS a re-
suit of the fears expressed in the Tammany
camp, therefore, for the first time in
municipal campaign perhaps Tammany
Hall is for the present failing to back it's
candidate for mayor with cash, and the
odds are slowly but steadily settling in
favor of Low In the betting ring
This may mean nothing or it may mean
much. If it means that Shepard was nom
mated to be killed off it is as certain as
anything can be that Low will be elected.
For unless the machine stands Loyalty by
Shepard, and it is questionable whether it
will do this, Mr.. Shepard's defeat is GER
tain. 1t would be quite like Croker to
bring about the nomination of Shepard in
hopelessly republican year and then turn
to his followers and say: