New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-25
4 RTSTVgSS QUESTION.


With the fusion ticket actually in the field
the work OF The anti-Tammany campaign Is
fairly begun. The air has been cleared by the
full discussion Of differing opinions and there
are few friends Of good government who are
not satisfied that the course has been taken
which is best calculated 10 save the city from
a return 10 the disgtaceful conditions that pre-
vailed under Nan wyck. when Murphy inc
present boss Of Tammany, was one OF hls chlel
assistants The Republican and Citizens Ihloh
platforms put before the people the vital issue
Of the crisis and il is clear that nobody can 50
effectively appeal 10 nc voters on that issue
as Mcssrs. Low. Grout and Fornes.
Some observers Of the situation seem 10 ue
under the impression that the citizens OF New
York are utterly insensble to their own inter
ests and only 10 be jricked into securing lOI
themselves good government by some srouhd
and lofty lumber. some circus performance
which viii turn the campaign into raree
show and lead the populacc captive - hEP-
notic enthusiasm But for three hundred ana
slxtv-four DAYS in the year. at least, NeW-1 orh-
ers are thought 10 be an uncommonly hafu-
headed uractical lot Of men. Can IL DE True
that fbov are something entirely dinerehI Oh
Election Day. VIII the average man forget
himself his family. his comfort his pocket
book. At election time unless he is aroused 10
sort Of divine madness nv a political camp
,,,ea-inps lie finds no trouble in reading Stock
Exchange statistics, or. If he is poor and lives
on the East side IN carefully keeping track oil
every penny in his grocer's and bulchers nc
counts WHY. then should statistics about the
conduct OF the city government which aHect Dis
health and pocket he too much for him'
What will not a man give for life: rive thou
sand lives a year are saved 10y good govern
s..1F Nexr Nprl
indifferent 10 statistics that they take no inter
g; in such an insurance policy. Contagious
diseases have been restricted. the great white
nlaguc~ Of consumption has been somewhat
STAYED. streets have been kept clean, play
grounds have been furnished 10 the children.
tho crowded tenements-those breeders OF dis
ease not only I'm their inmates. but in the whole
communicative been made more healthful.
The death rate was reduced from 200 in 1901
10 49, in 1902. and every man. woman and
child walks the streets Of New-Nork to-day with
a better chance Of life because Seth Low has
been Mayor
Some men are 50 intent in their study Of
dollar marks that they don't think even Of their
own lives Such lover Of business can find
in the platforms equal reason 20 desire Mayor
Lows continuance at the head of affairs If the
record OF past performance, the saving OF
SS.ttft.OFo year 10 TIE taxpayers anu lle
honest execution OF large public works do not
count certainly the prospect that Tammany. if
in power, could. owing 20 the financial ieeway
which this administration has secured, indulge
in more reckless expenditure and waste than
ever before must arouse his attention Hard
headed business man that he is, It will not
escape him That schools are being provided
for his children. that his boys and girls are
no longer contamina ted by the unspeakable
cadets" Look where he will in every direc
ton and he will find his municipal business bet
ter managed than ever before.
He who. whether he runs a vast banking
house or a small bakeshOp, always knows
whether or moi his work is well done and his
accounts kept straight, who never keeps 4 thiev-
ing clerk for sentiment. or discharges a good
one because he does not like his politics or the
color OF his eyes viii not suddenly lose the
very fundamental clements Of his character as
known 10 all the world. and let prejudice or I'M
reason or fancy control him in settling the
affairs Of the municipal corporation in which
he has so large a stake. The fusion nominal
tons simply place before him this practical
business question. As he is a good business
man. who can doubt what his answer viii he?