New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-21
OPPOSED TO DOWNING.
Contest ia the Heights District Nag
BE Three COrnered.

Prominent men in the Citizens Union in Brook
lyn have been examining the records Of the flu
sion aldermen in that borough with great care
for several months. with the idea of seeing
il that all who receive nominations for that Of
flee this year shall he men whose continued de-
vOtiOn to the cause will be beyond a peradven-
ture Among those members Of the board who
: deserted the administration I'm critical times
{ were several who elected on the Brooklyn
fusion ticket This has been a source OF cha
grin to Citizens Union leaders, and they as are
the leaders in Manhattan. are quietly working
to see that such men do not again receive
nomination.
In every district special conferences commit
tees have for some time been engaged In Sc
| lecting men Of high character and influence. who
can be depended upon to place the interests OF
the borough and Of the city above any purely
political consideration. IL has not been easy
to get such men to consent to make the sscrf-
flee. but IT is believed that the fusion Alder
manic ticket this year will be much superior
to the one two years ago.
In Brooklyn at present there are fifteen alder
men who were elected on the fusion ticket five
: Democrats and ten Republicans. 1t is conceded
that there is little chance Of eIecting anywhere
near fifteen aldermen on the fusion ticket In
Brooklyn this year. but the leaders believe that
it would be better to have smaller number OF
men who could be absolutely relied on TO uphold
the administration and further honest govern
ment. than to have men who. while pretending
allegiance will desert To the enemy at the first
favorable opportunity
Because Of the care that is being taken in
choosing candidates. few nominations have been
definitely decided upon
In some Of the districts the Republicans and
Citizens Union have been unable to agree upon
a man and the chances are that in many of the
districts both organizations will have candidates
in the field This. Of course. will weaken TIE
chances Of the election OF either. and a special
effort is being made in number Of cases 70
find men who will be satisfactory to both organ
| izations.
In the XLvth AIdermanic District Of the Ist
Assembly District Alderman Robert F. Downing
Is the present fusion representative. He is not
favored by the Citizens Union which has not
been pleased by the position he has taken
number Of questions Present indica tons are.
however that he will have the support Of the
Republican organization An effort has been
made to get him TO retire in favor of some other
Republican who would suit the Citizens Union.
but so far 1t has failed.
The Citizens Union district committee. there
fore. is thinking Of running candidate IN Op
position 10 Downing, If the Republicans insist
upon him II has considered a number OF men In
connection with the nomination. but the most
prominent are Grosvenor Hyde Backus. OF
DR.. Truman J. BacEus. president Of Packer IN
stitute and William Otis Badger, jr. Mr.. Backus
IS a graduate of Amherst College IN the class
OF o. and a lawyer in Manhattan. Mr.. Badger
Is also a young He is prominent in the
young peoples work in Plymouth Church. and
holds a position under Deputy Water Commits
siOner Van Idersttne.