The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-16
CIRCUIT WILL NOT ANSWER YET.
TAKES IS HOl' RS TO MAKE UP HIS
MIND ABOUT RUNNING.
Mayor Invites Him 70 Observation-Disclosures
Attorney Jerome's brother Got ~ Him
First Aboard ship -FusiOnists Think
the COMPTROLLER viii Nun Again.


Comptroller Grout got home from Europe
yesterday on the steamship koenig Albert
He told the reporters that his mind was
open and that he wanted forty-eight hours
in which to close IL. He would not lndi-
cate whether he intended to run with Low
again or to take a nomination for the SUI
preme Court from the Democratic machine
in Kings He left in the minds Of the
fusionists who talked with him the impress
sion that he would run on the fusion ticket
The Koenig Albert got in early. Lowell
H. Jerome, a brother of the District Attorney,
went aboard down the bay and had talk
with the Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller
James W. Stevenson met his chief at ho-
boken. At 10 o'clock Mr.. Grout was at his
desk in the Comptroller's Office. Presi-
dent Fornes Of the Board Of Alder men and
President Swanstrom Of the borough OF
Brooklyn were among those who greeted
him.
Then came an invitation to the Comp
troler from Mayor Low to luncheon at
the Hardware Club. No one else was at
the table with them. What they talked
about both declined to say; Mr.. Grout
laughingly. Mr.. Low solemnly.
They had just about finished their lunch
con when large person entered the dining
room and took a seat a at table nearby.
Mr. circuit asked the Mayor Isn't that
Herman Ridder?'
1T resembles him outwardly," replied
the Mayor cautiously. Then Mr.. Riders
profile came into view and both recognized
him. The Mayor and the Comptroller
nj nd
changed few words with him Mr. Rid
der has said, practically. that he can't
support Low. but might support Grout
for Mayor He hasn't said whether he'd
support Grout for Comptroller on the Low
ticket.
When Mr.. Grout got back to his Office
after lunch he found John c. Sheehan and
Bryan L. Kennedy of the advisory COM
mittse of the Greater New York Democracy
waiting for him. They were closeted for
half an hour. Mr. Grout said afterwards:
THE first thing that did when got into
New York was to buy three luscious peaches
for ten cents They were 40 fine couldn't
peaches would cost you IS cents each in
London, and then they wouldn't be the
same.
Il shall say nothing to-day as to my atti-
tude in this campaign. | have not made
up my mind. | wish to see and consult
with some friends before coming to de-
cision MY mind is open and think am
entitled to forty-eight hours to collect the
facts in the situation. which will have a
determining influence in making up my
mind. Before went away told Dr. Gould,
the City Chamberlain, very distinctly that
my personal preference was to retire at the
end of my term. There are many personal
reasons why that is so. Mrs. Circuit feels
very strongly about it. told no one that
would accept denomination, nor did
authorize any one to say what l would 90.
I did not expect to find the situation so fully
developed at this time, In fact. did not
expect that any nominations would be
made before the middle of September. but
I return to find myself practically nomi-
mated.
aDo you feel bound by the conclusion Of
the fusion conference7'
Not at all"
do you feel that there is any obligation
with entire freedom3"
rs is a question whether other considera-
tions should outweigh personal preferences
Mr.. Grout said he had seen the Mayors
letter expressing the wish that Circuit and
how Mavor Low felt about that before
went away said the Comptroller.
A reporter asked Mr.. Grout II he thought
two wears more were enough to round out
the constructive programme" OF the Low
administ ration. Mr.. Circuit answered in
manner that ignored the question as to de-
more years is not time enough said he.
"If the term of the Comptroller was ten
wears instead of two ! would not hesitate
TO accept it. The financial system OF the
city Ia crowded with Anticipated methods
that cannot be changed in a short time.
1t is really more important that the Comp
troller term should be four years than that
the Mayors should be. If man can look
forward to ten years in this Office he could
do great things, produce results by means
that cannot even be begun in two-year
term"
When he was asked il he would say any
thing about the suggestion that he might
be nominated for Justice OF the Supreme
Court in BROOKLYN he said: Il have not
been privy to any Of the nominations made
for me, neither the one which the fusion
conferees have planned nor theirresponsible
one across the river which the newspapers
have gossiped about"
John c. Sheehan sought to impress on
Mr.. Grout a sense Of responsibility to stand
by the fusion ticket this year. No one better
appreciates the strategic position which
Mr. Grout now holds than does Mr. Sheehan.
Fusion is apparently anxious to renomlnate
| Grout. Borough President Cantor has
| retired, leaving some new candidate to los
nominated for that place, which is to handle
| a large patronage next year, 1fMr Sheehan
| could handle Mr.. Grout to the extent Of
| having him say to the fusion conference
| that he would not run unless he could name
| the candidate for president OF Manhattan.
| then II Mr.. Sheehan could dictate that
nomination he might be getting something
| out Of fusion
When Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Kennedy
left the presence Of the Comptroller they
were of the opinion that he would run again:
And I hope to God that he Will. said
Mr. Shcehan with fervent enthusiasm.
| Comptroller circuit met City Chamberlain
Gould by appointment late in the afternoon
and they spent some time together. DR..
Gould, too, got the impression that circuit
would run again. The Comptroller dined
out with some friends Akt night.
While the feeling grew that circuit was
going TO take a denomination Bird 3. Coler
and Augustus Van Wyck went over to
Wiloughby Street and saw Hugh McLaugh-
| lin This started the report there that Mr..
Van WICK was to he nominated for the Su-
preme Court In the Second dist riot the place
which, according to Brooklyn gossip, Mr..
Mclaughlin had as a bait for Grout
Mr. Sheohan will call a meeting OF the
executive committee of the Greater New
York Democracy as soon as Comptroller
Grout announces what his course Ia to be.
The Hon William Hep was still mumbling
Yesterday that II Tammany nominated a
clean man most of the Greater New York
d ,mocracy's bones would rattle for him
SWANSTROM STILL SILENT.