New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-22

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were disguised at the open backdown on the
part OF the organization. one of them SAID; III
1t was simply question as to how we co COW,
do a double back somersauIt without touchihs
the ground"
Every Democrat in Brooklyn who has a SPARK
of independence i'm him will not 1t is pelle Iii
follow the latest flop of the leaders Ihey WI
not be deceived by the cry of regularity anu
will not change their determination 10 N''e
against the Tammany ticket -,
1T makes no difference what WiiouBnpS
Street does now. Low will receive a big Dei
cratic vote i'm Brooklyn" is concise staIeili,'
of the opinion of many Democrats and hepuo,
leans who were told last night Of the lates'
stand taken by that organization.
THINK IT WILL BE INDoRSED.
1t is believed that the stand taken by Mr..
Littleton in the following statement will receive
hearty Endorsement on the part of all ii'de
pendent Democrats.
The General Committee of the Democratic par,. parry
OF Kings County met under call for a Ssl uJ
Grout and Fornes This resolution referred b 10
committee OF fifteen. understand now tha as ' 70
indorse Grout and Fornes. The general power o.
ment of the affairs OF the organization. That com,
mittee has. in special meeting in the mldsi The
campaign. attempted bind every Democrat IN tiIe
county TO vote for Grout and Fornes: If THIS were
al. Its action might seem regular and just cortv
But let us see what went before this the CouIi y
Convention. made up of delegates and elected 1y
a few days before and supposed to be fresh 6rto
Der s. These delegates were elected for the pur ,
borough ard county offices. and to express the
opinion Of Democrats on any timely subject City
Convention had adjourned 1t heard with open open
n the eeehes 5 tnoa
adopted resolution plainly repudiating tPeraugh
President The question now comes up: Has IN, the
General Committee the right and power al cai S
time for candidate to decline has expired to 50
the candidates by the act of such committee! Is oe
candidate TO accept the policy defined by tne COZ,
ventiOn that nominated him. or must he get nolI-
ination from the convention and policy from the
General Committee? -,
eral Committee may choose to take between now
and Election Day ! may be compelled to turn h nan
a dozen sOmersaults and then not know IL had
turned them in the right direction 1 cannot ride
different directions If the convention which nom
mated me said one thing and the General Com
mittee says another, | cannot accept honoraDly a
nomination from the convention and run to cover IN
the General Committee .
Aside from this question of party detail there u
a single act which would control my actions. ! went
trict leader of BROOKLYN. and understood that we
all acting together for common purpose
for what agreed the right policy. I &C
cepted the nomination for Borough President upon
fbat we We're ighting sham battle, nor was it
suggested to me that we were trying to fool the
public. thought everything was meant in deadly
resolution in the county convention or disagreed
with the sentiment Of the speeches denouncing
which the public must find out for itself one after
the other of the Assembly district leaders and now
themselves. and indorse Groqt and Fornes Each
one of them has taken back wholly and totally
what he said and did in tie county convention.
MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.
I am not to be the judge OF what caused them
70 60 hack on their own deed and word 1t is
enough for me to know that they have taken an
exactly contrary position. With them 1t may pc
matter of political policy With me. II am worthy
of an Office II must be matter Of principle Ihey
NAV have thought that If they did not turn they
would lose their leadership / am quite sure II
did turn / would lose my own respect ana the IT,
spect of the community. - -, -,
1t can matter very little to me what they
thought The fact remains they built a Platoon
and nut me on II, and then began to pull IT down
one prop at time. | do not assume myseiI the
wisdom to direct what an oIganlzaiohI s,, h to
shall do To remain silent in this situation, in the
hope of foong people into voting for me. wouId
have changed my mind to be In accord with
the COMMITTEES would be false and despicable.
for polticai independence will have to be made by
the Democrats of BROOKLYN. The doctrihe OF res9
Inust not he used to protect unworthy to
perpetuate unsOund economic principles. II must
not be employed for the purpose OF pressing tne
spirit and slencing the protest Of an honest minor
ity If Brooklyn Democrats are TO be FORCED by TINS
tradition aid in their own annihilation. then
regularity is a sword upon which every Democrat
mist faH at the command of an accidental leader.
PARTY conventions convenient to insure rea-
sonable concert of action but they must not be
emploved as agencies to exterminate opposition.
Leaders, are useful and convenient in order to insure
decision and responsibility. but they must not take
10 themselves the power to crush those who may
question their Judgment. The majority must always
rule. but even majority mas no right 20 RUIN. /
for having taken this position. but elected or
defeated | will yield my firm convictions that
In Rrooklyn unless II does something than
bend the pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift
may follow fawning.'
u