The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-10-06
MrNICIpALIsrs MATCHING.

Every development and change in the New York
municipal campaign viii be watchfully studied by
the enlightened, notwithstanding residents OF
other cities. The situation presents unusual compIi-
cations. with many forces in active opposition one to-
ward the other. And still there is nothing new in
the principles involved or in the methods resorted 70
by the managers Of the associations which are In
the contest in the interest Of the several mayoralty
candidates. 1t is the old battle, on the old issues, by
the old methods.
The cause of reform is In more jeopardy at this
time than it was two years ago, when Mr.. Low was
first elected. Then the city was fortunate in having,
as the opponent of the fusion candidate, another can
didate of equal integrity and ability. Consequently
good government was Il certainty. whether the vic
tory might have been Won by Mr.. Low or Mr.. Shep-
ard. So. II Congressman Mcclellan. who has been
nominated by Tammany against Mr.. Low. is not
qualified for the office, the reform elements must
either elect Mr.. Low or acknowledge their issue to
be temporarily submerged.
Mr.. Mcclellan appears to be unsatisfactory, in
more respects than one, TO the more progressive and
sincerely patriotic citizens. The Greater New York
Democracy has announced for Mr.. Low. Hugh Nc
Laughln, the leader Of the Kings County Democra-
cy, has refused to support him. The best OF the non
partisan publications are for Mr.. Low. Most Of the
Democratic newspapers of New York and Brooklyn
nave eAAabuAAOE NdEuif duauuOutu tue ldllIudul q
the fusion ticket 1t seems clear, therefore, that the
election of Mr.. Low is desirable.
At this distance it is difficult to get an altogether
accurate impression Of the whole field and the fac
tors in participation There is no doubt that the Is
sue of good government is genuine and real. and
there is no doubt either. that public interests in the
metropolis will be best served by the total exclusion,
as far as may be practical, Of all other issues. Unfor-
%tunately, however, politicians and partisan bodies,
unable or unwilling to recognize principle as above
personal and partisan ambitions, are complicatins
the predOminating issue.
Already Republican papers outside Of New York
are referring to Mr.. Low as the Republican candi-
date, whereas he is, in fact the candidate Of no
party, although he Is q Republican. Primarily he Is
the nominee OF the Citizens Union. Secondarily. he
is the nominee Of the Republican and Of certain
organizations. Nevertheless, the attempts
Of Republican papers and politicians to give Mr..
Lows candidacy a partisan complexion must neces-
sarily injure his prospects and therefore prove detri
mental to his bipartisan support and patriotic cause.
The candidacy of Mr.. Lewis Nixon will harm Mr..
Mcclellan more than Mr.. Low; at least, it should. &C
cording to experiences of various cities. Democrats
who might be frightened from Mr.. Low by the par
tisan attitude Of Republican newspapers and poIIti-
clans would prefer to vote for MI. Nixon rather than
for Mr.. Mcclellan. Mr.. Nixon might not, should he
remain in the race, receive many ballots, but the
ballots that he might receive would be acquired at
the expense OF Mr.. Mcclellan.
1t is reasonably p~resumable that the enrontery OF
Republicans outside Of New York will injure Mr..
Low. So, also, will the cunning Of national and State
politicians. So, also, may the utterances
Of misguided friends Of Mr.. Low. Complimentary
statements, like that attributed to President Harper
Of the University Of Chicago. promising his election
as Governor, are apt to make even bipartisan Dem
distrustfuL
The Democrats and the Democratic organizations
which have sacrificed party regularity by giving
their support to Mr.. Low are entitled both to high
commendatiOn and great protection. The election Of
Mr.. Low should not rebound to the advantage of any
machine. Probably, on the other hand.
the wise policy followed by the Citizens Union will
prevent such consequences.
1t seems very manifest that the reelection Of Mr..
would be beneficial to New York City and all OF
Its people. Taking this ground, representative -cItI-
Of all parties are working for Mr.. Low. and
their issue is good government Representative citi-
Of other cities hope that, for the advancement
of municipal interests and for the exclusion OF pol-
from municipal affairs, Mr.. Low will be sue