New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-05
pRELIHINARIES.

The popular and political elements opposed 10
Tammany Hall will not nominate canoioale
for Mayor for several months to come, Dur tue
usual premonitory signs of a municipal CAM
paign are beginning TO appear Such early us
cussions though they may seem premature, are
inevitable, and therefore there is no use IN re-
GREETING them Moreover, while they are oiten
less productive of wise than of foonsn u1lef-
ances, they tend to clarity public OPINION ana SO
make a valuable contribution to the maj result.
few weeks ago District Attorney Jerome
wound up Enthusiastically self-conndent con-
demnation of Mayor Lows policies and eonduct
with the curiously inconsistent declaration tna'
nobody else was so well qualified TO continue
the excellent work which he had begun. we 90
not pretend to know just what Mr.. Jeromes
nurnose was hut the natural effect Of his re-
marks was to quicken the general appreciation
of the Mayors services Yesterday MIR. Herman
Ridder discussed what he conceives TO be the
MAYORS mistakes at considerable length in
order Tn emphasize the Importance of commits
sioning Democrat to carry on the great re-
forms which he has instituted. Thus Mr.
Jerome and Mr. Ridder reached exactly oppo-
site conclusions but the fact which the COM
munitv particularly notes is that both nave
testified TO the large practical value OF the
Mayors administration.
Mr. Ridder speaking for himself. ana 10 some
extent also for the COMMANDMENT REFORM
Union but not so far as we are aware. Tor the
general body of German voters is chlehy
nrieved because Mayor Low did not oppose the
amendment to the excise law which turns over
To the State onehalf of the revenue from the
increased license fees. Mr. Rfdder thinks that
is an unbusinessike arrangement and be-
travail of the principle that city affairs snouio
be managed as great private interests are. 1t IS
NOT necessarily discreditable to Mr.. Ridder TO
entertain the opinion that the true policy is to
LET the CITY have possession in the first instance
of the entire proceeds of the liquor tax col
lected here. but he ought not to assume that
New-York is cheated and oppressed. HOW
much practical difference does it make whether
tbe city contributes its share Of the States ex-
penses directly out Of taxes assessed on prop
ertv or indirectly by suTrendering proportion
ate mart of the revenue from the sale Of liquor?
The wisdom of the law In that respect may be
dehatahIe hut how trivial is the contention that
Mayor Lows supposed approval Of it outweighs
his honest. sagacious, efficient administration
of the public business!
Sucb criticism is enlightening. 1t reflects not
disinterested, impartial judgment of the pres
ent municipal governments claim 10 public sup
port, based on what 1t has accomplished, but
an individuals political sympathies and incllna-
tions. Mr. Ridder longs earnestly for Dem
ocratic rehabilitation that he is even able 10
persuade himself to believe in the possibility
of Tammanys conversion If the Tammany
leaders. he says, would heed the voice Of indie
pendent Democrats and join in choosing candl-
dates who would be above ali suspicion, why
then how delightful everything would be! Re
demption through Tammany is the perfect soiu-
ton. But the present mood of Mr.. Rider and
those who would like to deceive themselves is
probably only temporary. In due time they are
likely to yield again to their real conV1cuon
that Tammany is incurable, and that they are
bound In honor and interest to pursue course
similar TO that which, after much hesitation
they pursued two years ago, uniting with good
citizens OF all parties in defence of the common
welfare against the common enemy.