The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-05
WANTED, LIGHT ON FUSION.
FOLkS ASkI\G WHY CHOOSE 4
MAYOR ~ THE DARK"
There Are Others Than the Citizens MON
Interested In the Good Government
Of the city and They Want 10 Know
What EVerybOd, Has 10 Say About Low.

Vhat Everybody haS 10 -! ADoul LOW.
Tie brand new situation in the fusion
camp yesterday was the almost universal
criticism Of the star chamber proceed
ings Ivy which the ninety odd delegates to
the grand conference of Republican and
| anti-Tammany Democratic organizations
hope to select a fusion candidate for Mayor
AT the last conference. on Tuesday, all
of the delegates before they left the Citi-
zens' Union headquarters, were pledged
to secrecy. In n gathering of nearly one
hundred men, however. there. are always
few who do not believe in such methods.
The next grand conference is to he held
on Wednesday Unless the programme is
changed the delegates will again be pledged
to secrecy; that is if no candidates for
Mayor and other municipal offices are
named. If nominations are made the
delegates, of course, will he permitted to
talk.
All over town Yesterday Republicans.
anti-Tammany Democrats and all others
interested in public affairs said that they
could not for the life of them. see the con-
sistencv or sense in having these conference
meetings of the fusion forces held, IA it
were, inside OF safe and all the delegates
pledged to secrecy The basis of all the
riticism was that while all the delegates
to this grand conference declare that they
are working in the interest of the people of
the city of New York and for good govern
ment, so are others, and they want to know.
Very generally the comment was ex-
pressed that the voters of New York CITY
are quite as much Interested in the city's
affairs and in good government as these
ninety odd delegates TO the grand con-
ference of the fusion forces and that the
people would like to know just how the
delegates from the Citizens Union, the
Republican party and the anti-Tammany
organizations are arriving at the selection
of ticket which lis for the cause of good
government
1t was told by experienced men who are
versed in these matters all over the United
States that no organizat ion, Republican
or Democratic or Prohibition, or Socialist,
or Labor. holds secret meetings to select
candidates II is true that the leaders Of
the recognized parties get together and
gossip and gable about the men to be
nominated. But the nominations them
selves are always made in public gatherings.
And this grand conference of Citizens
Union men and their Republican and anti
Tammany allies meet behind closed doors,
select the ticket. pledge themselves not
to divulge any of the deliberations" OF
the conferees and at the same time to keep
from good citizens who desire good govern
ment for the Greater City in the American
continent just what they are up to.
Why are these conference meetings held
behind closed doors?
What is the end TO be attained by these
secret meetings?
II there is an opposition to Mr.. Lows
n nom why are not the reasons pub
II the conferees in this Grand Sanhedrim
do not desire the denomination Of Mayor
Low, why do they not come out and say 30
and tell the people why?
These were the quest ions heard. 1t is
asserted now that at the last meet ing Of the
conference, held behind closed doors on
Tuesday, majority Of the ninety-odd dele
gates did not desire the denomination of
Mayor Low, and yet the Citizens Union
people sat there and never said word in
support of the Mayor. and ii was left to the
Republican delegates to speak up for Mr..
Low when the Greater New York De-
mocracy objected TO Mr.. Low renomina-
ton. Only some very general resolutions
were adopted.
Mayor Low. it is known, had been led
to believe that at this conference he would
be unanimously selected to head the fusion
ticket again In the interest OF good govern
ment and reform, and ne was disappointed.
even chagrined. when the conference ad-
journed without action.
All tie Republican leaders have declared
that Mr.. Low was the keystone of the arch,
the head of the non-partisan municipal
administration for the last two years. and
yet the Citizens Union. which in 1897 and In
1901 led the fight for the nomination OF
Mayor Low the Republicans travelling
on behind, didn't say word In support
of Mayor Lows denomination at this last
conference. The Citizens Union politicians
let it go out that they didn't know whether
or not they, wanted Mr. Low, but they
didn't tell why they don't want him, and
up TO this hour it is not known il the Citizens
Union desires the Mayors denominations
II was ascertained yesterday that there
is scheme on foot among many of the
conferees to so becloud the situation as to
leave the Mayor no other recourse but to
decline the nominations; that is, there Ia
hope that it will become known to him
that there is diff1dence and liStlessness in
the conference as to his availability az a
ca nddate for denomination and that he
will ascertain the situation and will not
accept a denomination as IL II were a bone
flung TO a dog" There We're other politi-
clans who said that Mr. Low would accept
the bone no matter how il came to him"
withstanding all this there was
almost universal crit csm that the dele
gates to this grand conference should take
it upon themselves to meet In secret and
fix up a ticket according to their own wishes
ana LOT llltlI own lulNluuhl ana DOlItNbl
advantage, and then go through the farce
Of submitting II to the city convention Of !
the fusonists 10 be held on Sept 81 In |
other words this city convention to he held |
Sept q, and consisting Of about 900 dele |
gates will not represent its own wishes but |
will adopt the slate made up for il by the |
alleged supporters of non partisan gov
eminent, sitting behind closed doors, after !
they had fixed up the deals bet ween the |
different organizations by which the loaves |
and fishes are TO be- divided among them !
selves
Mayor Low, so the critics added, has |
not impaired dignity 10 the situation be |
cause, while be believes he has made a
good Mayor Of New York city and lac al !
tempted 10 give il an honest adminstT ration !
and one for The benefit of the people, still |
lie does not come on and say whether /
lie In a candidate for denomination cr not, /
but If silently awaiting Lis fate At the hands |
Of the fusion forces sitting behind closed /
door.
cry Chamberlain J. J. Gould, who II
one Of Mayor Lows closest personal and
political friends said yesterday b" was
0Iitr ,IIr" the Mayor would accept re-
nomination on the fusion ticket, although .
he did NOT know whether the Mayor had /
really mAdr up his mind what he would
do
Il H. guito possible, the Nayor- friends
-Rv thii BE- may Civ" some expression ~
lIi- ylnwr before tlT next fusion con
frrruor which IL ,"t fpr "Wednesday might
mJJi GHA>NtN NiOR