New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-15
NR IIROnE.

n is natural that District Attorney Jerome :
behsrior The present time should attract puo-
DC notice and evoke copious criticism. The com
bination Of hustle and reticence is peculiar anu
suggestive OF s5Ine deep scheme Of political &C
ton Yet il would be easy 10 exaggerate the i'm
l0sTsnee % ar. Ierome's d0ngs. That he is a
nan ~ eccentric temper is ne; = new discovery.
80 much AT least was known about him before
= he Yves elected 80 his present ofii"e and he has
certainly taken no pains TO conceal his proper
sitics since he became District Attorney. lie
likes 10 excite public curiosity ard 60 make
himself snbject ~ discussion even when there
seems 10 be 10 probability Of serving wise
purpose IN that way II Is \ weakness undouht-
edly but thus far Il has not proved seriously
harmful because 81 is bis habit. Just n fine com
munity is beginning 10 fear a dangerous i'm
pnrment of his usefulness. 10 take a course or
make declaration which restores confidence
81 ih, essential soundncss or his views and
Tsclitude Of his intentions.
Within the last few days Mr. JerOmes erratic
performances aud the uncOntradicted asser-
tions OF men who. with bis apparent consent.
are supposed 10 be IN his confidence, have been
pretty widely interpreted 10 mean that be is
surprised and intensely disappointed at the
virtual decision OF the fusion conferrees 10 re
nominate Mayor Low. and that his feelings are
even tineed with personal resentment. But it
is hard 80 believe that such IL his real state Of
mind. 81 has been said on what authority we
90 not Know. that Mr.. Jerome pays little atten-
ton 10 the newspapers. But even IL that is
true no can scarcely have failed 10 become
cornizsnf Of thc fart. which was clear 20 all in
talligent observers of political conditions that
anti Tamnany sentiment was 80 shaping itself
~ 20 make the denomination Of Mr.. Low almost
inevitable. Nobody else was asionlshed when
the couferrees by large majority resolved that
the Mayor Ought tc head the fusion forces again.
snd we cannot credit tae report that Mr. Jerome
wac unprepared fcr that result.
II l. somewhat easier to suppose that. while
MOI surprised. the District Attorney Is dissatis-
fed with the choice 81 the fusion conferrees:
Rnd vet even that view % The case Is sfifiy dis
,reditcd by bis own deliberate and careful dec
lnrations Of recent date. ON August = he made
tlas statement. vhich by his desire appeared In
The Trfbune tho next day ard was copied hy
al tbe papers;
y Nr. Low wants tie nomination for Mayor
No undoubtedly can have IL. There are veal
md rotten spots in this administration, but
hefieve il can - said without successful chal
l-nee fha; the last eighteen months - runici
pal government ia this city have been me bes
eirhfeen Facnths ST. the history 81 the city
II is tradition thst Tar'mauy canuo
30 beaten twice 81 succession. that reform
administration is not strong enough with tn
people 20 succeed Itself. IN is Of vital impor
lance 10 the cause u good government and TIL
future welfare ~ the citv thet THE traditio-
shoulo Sc smashed. Il the present admiuistra
ton cap present us record In such manner
that = ~-il via . piUrality - the votes. n
s-theF teo wears such the last Fighter
months VII sec the chronic ofIiceholders O.
Tsmmsng Hall largely starved CT and the pros
peel q continued good government win ..
gHuch hTsEnfer.
month aga Dir. JcIome thought il WIS ri
vital ilhlorfetseA tlsi siRisf.F tradition should
nc smashed and N, yrfo-m administration shout
.aoocos ifsc7. lie earnestly hoTed fhc present %