The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-21
W.R. GRACE FOR Low, AND WHY
ALL HUMBUG AROt'T INJURY TO
THE NATIONAL DEMOCRACY.

Chairman OF the National Committee
Opposed Tammany in 'S4--A Chance
Now 10 Make Tammany MisgOyern-
ment an ImpOssibility for the Future.
Ex-Mayor Grace returned last week from
his summer vacation somewhat earlier
than usual, so that he might register. Mr..
Grace was asked Yesterday If he were willing
to say how he expected to vote upon election
day.
Il am perfectly willing to tell that to
any one," he said. Il shall vote for Low,
Hinrichs and Mcclure and for the entire
fusion ticket"
do you take that action for personal
reasons or for the broader issues involved
in the campaign"
why, l am going to vote the fusion
ticket because am convinced that it stands
for the sincere and admirable effort that
has been made to give this city business
administration. l can appreciate the diff
culties Mayor Low has met with and over
come, and he is to be congratulated on the
record for good government which he has
made"
DO you think that tho majority OF the
voters Of New York hold this view?"
Il feel assured that the voters Of New
York can be depended upon TO make
dispassionate choice between Mayor Low
in view of tho admirable record he has
made, and his opponent, who is practically
untried in the conduct of municipal affairs"
Have you noticed, Mr.. Grace, that tho
chief issue made by Tammany is that it
is impossible that there should be nom
partisan campaign. and that il the Tam,
many candidate for Mayor be defeated
great injury will be done to the national
Democracy"
"Yes, ! have seen that an attempt has
been made to hide the real issue by arous-
ing the spirit Of craftsmanship. but it is a
subterfuge and an attempt to beg the
question. l have heard that before. and
make is one suggested by my personal
experience. In 1884, at the request Of the
chairman of the national Democratic
committed, accepted the nomination as
the candidate of the Citizens Union and
the Independent Democracy OF the city
Democracy and the Republicans had al
ready nominated candidates Avery heavy
Democratic vote was cast, and Cleveland
carried the State. | might say that, in
my opinion, Tammany is to-day less en-
titled to the trust Of true Democracy than
was the Tammany of 1884 and ! think that
the Tammanyizng of the Democracy OF
New York State would be as harmful to
the Democratic party as would be the
Tammanyizing of the local government
to the city of New York"
"You are then in thorough sympathy
with the action of the Independent DEM
ocracy in supporting the fusion tcket?"
Indeed am, and, for another reason
as an independent Democrat I am interested
in the success of the fusion ticket. find
that the young men-and I am brought in
contact with many of them-are practi-
cally all going to vote for Low, Hinrichs
and Mcclure. Many, If not most, of these
young voters are Of Democratic inclination
but they will not be led by the men who
are now in the control OF Tammany Hall.
We must demonstrate as Democrats, that
we are for Clean decent and honest city
government; and that demonstration can
be made only by ma iority for the fusion
ticket, such as the independent voters of
New York can surely give when they are
thoroughly aroused
Have you heard, Mr.. Grace, that some
of the larger corporations of New York
are contributing to the Tammany cam
paign fund.-"
yes, have heard that. The corpora
lions that contribute to the Tammany
| campaign fund do so for purely business
reasons, Tammany, as usual, is raising
campaign fund from tribute exacted from
tDe Corporations anu from InOSe among
the saloonkeepers who expect favors or
protection in case they violate the law.
From these two sources comes the campaign
fund of Tammany. II il a curious alliance.
Some of the greater corporations, either
to be sure Of protection or with view
to favors. contributing on the one hand,
and certain element among the saloon
keepers on the other I am one Of those
who advocate open hours for part Of the
day on Sunday. know many men who
are engaged in the liquor business who are
| conscientious and law-abiding. and would
| be no dishonor to any business with which
they were identified. These have no oc-
| casion to pay tribute in the form Of a sub
| scription to the Tammany campaign fund,
| No Saloonk eeper who is law-abiding mas
anything to fear from the fusion admins
! tration.'
II think" Mayor Grace continued, that
we are to have at this election an even more
! important test OF the character of the citi
zenship Of New York than was that Of
! two years ago. For it is to be decided
whether this community can maintain for
a considerable period such an admnistra-
ton as was elected in 1901. I am sure that
! another administration of this character
will 80 accrstom New York city to the ad
vantages of an administration whose dis
tinguishing principles are impartialty,
integrity, true economy and industry, that
thereafter ii will be impossible for public
officers of New York city to depart from
that high standard. I think it would be
| of the American people to solve the per-
picking and dangerous problems of munich
pal administration, If this community,
by decisive vote, were to maintain the
administration it now has. l am glad to
have an opportunity to give my vote to