New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-17

PARTTSANSHIP AND THE CITY TICKET.
IT is not surprising that some Democratic adj
herents Of fusion should be saying that they
would like TO see a Democrat nominated for
Mayor. Old associations and the habit of con-
sidering municipal office as partisan asset hav-
ing some proper relation TO the fortunes Of a
party in State and nation count for much. This
preference of Democrats for a Democrat is per-
fectly natural and perfectly proper if party poll
Tics is TO be the basis of action in municipal
government. In that case, however it is like
wise natural and proper that Republicans in ma
tional politics should wish a Republican to be
nominated for the fusion candidate for Mayor;
and, IL IL comes TO a question between the two
in the selection of the candidate by the criterion
Of national party affiliations, the Republicans
have the best claim TO consideration. for they
are the largest body among the fusionists and
contribute the most votes to fusion victory.
If political prejudices must be catered to, it is
more important to smooth the way for Republic
cans TO support fusion ticket than to smooth it
for Democrats; for. while the union of the re-
spectacle men of both parties is necessary to
perpetuate non-partisan government, ii is fair to
suppose that the task OF overcoming the parti-
prejudice Of some Democrats will be easier
than that Of overcoming the prejudice of vast
~ larger number OF Republicans; and it must
not be forgotten that If Democrats have right
70 a partisan preference Republicans have an
equal right to one
III the party question is to have any weight at
all in the selection of a candidate there are
bound TO be embarrassments on one side or the
other. The better way would be for both Demo
Gratis and Republicans to lay it aside and stop
proclaIming the necessity Of putting either a
Democrat or a Republican at the head of the
ticket We have, when occasion required Sc
yerely criticised Republican leaders who in
sisted that a fusion Mayor must be a Republi.
can and we have a right TO ask that Demo-
cratic fusionists shall not make q similar mis-
take. OF course. we expect Mr.. Shepard Mr.
Murphy, Mr.. Hill and other supporters Of Tam
many 70 lay stress upon national party loyalty
That is their device TO secure the votes of hon.
est Democrats for corrupt organization which
they could not be induced 10 aid EXCEPT through
some mistaken sense of loyalty TO national party
Principle. Men who have broken away from the
idea that street cleaning. and bridge building
and law enforcement are legitimate matters OF
political difference, and believe that the man.
agemert Of the corporate business of their city
has p-S9erIy no more 10 do with State and ma
tionaI politics than the management OF their
bank or drygoods store, may reasonably be ex-
Dected TO choose q candidate for Mayor solely
with view TO the management of the citys
business. II Mayor Lows record In Office and
his popularity with the people make him logi-
cal candidate, the fact that he is Republican
should make no difference. II Mr. Jerome or
Nr. Grout seems TO be any more available or
more likely 10 give satisfactory administra-
ton. they have good reason TO recommend him.
But tic fact that either Is Democrat is no rea.
at all.
All fusloniets have right 10 ask that their