New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-22
Mr.. GRACE on DEMOCRATIC DUTY.

Ex-Mayor Grace's deliberate and careful state
ment OF his views on the political situation.
which published yesterday, is worthy of
more than ordinary attention because Of the
source from which it proceeds and its intrinsic
character. Mr. Grace, lifelong Democrat, has
returned from the country 10 take such part
he is able 10 take in the campaign and to vote
on November 3. He announces his purpose 10
vote for Low. Hnrichs and Mcclure and the
whole fusion ticket, and the reasons he gives for
his decision are such as 10 command the respect
of all intelligent. fairminded citizens, whether
they wholly agree with him or not
Mr. Grace is going 10 vote the fusion ticket
because he is convinced that sit stands for the
sincere and admirable effort which has been
made to give this city business administre-
ton That is TO say, Mr. Low and his col
leagues have been not only faithful in intention,
but highly successful.
Mr.. Grace has been Mayor OF New York HIM
self. and from experience can appreciate the
difficulties Mayor Low has met with and over
come The difficulties were immense. Tam
many bequeathed TO its successors a local gov
eminent which was disorganized in all its parts,
a host OF subordinate oficeholders who had he
come more or less demoralizcd by the bad ex-
ample Of their superiors, snd run down ml-
ncipal plant Especially IN view of the OBJ
the opinion OF ex-Mayo- Grace, is entitled TO
hearty congratulation on the results he has
achieved.
Mr.. Grace observes and despises Tammany's
urgent plea that the present administratio is
partisan in spirit and must be ousted in order TO
give Democrats fair chance in the State and
national elections next year. To the first asser-
ton he replies with fat contradiction based on
visible proofs. In opposition 10 the second he
APPLY cites political history. But particularly
striking is his declaration that "tbe Tamnany-
''izing Of the Democracy Of New-York State
would be as harmful TO the Democratic party
las would be the Tammanyizing OF the local
government 10 the city of New-York'
Mr. Grace has had that view of the mat
ter confirmed by his observation that Young
Democrats of respectable character will not
be led by the men who are now in control
of 1ammany Hall" The Democratic party
cannot Ice recruited under such leadership but
inevitably grows weaker and more disorganized
We must demonstrate Democrats says the
Democratic ex-Mayor, that we are for clean
decent and honest city government and that
demonstration can only he made by a ma
''iority for the fusion ticket such as the indie
pendent voters of NewYork can surely give
when they are thoroughly aroused"
Mr.. Grace ends his statement in a manner re-
marl1ably impressive TO thoughtful citizens II
is common and well founded opinion that the
government Of great cities is the point at which
our free institutions have come nearest TO break
ing down. During the last two years the posi-
bility OF conducting the business of a vast mu-
nicipal corpOrataion for the benefit of its share
holders has been cOnclusively demonstrated
To that fact and the admonition which if con-
tains Mr.. Grace refers as follows:
l think that are TO have at this election an
even more important test OF the character OF the
citizenship OF New-Yolk than was that of two
years ago. Tor II is to be decided whether this
community can maintain for 81 considerable
Prfloa such an administration Il was elected in
lSol L am sure that another administration Of
thls character VIII accustoEn New York CITY
20 the advantages OF an administration whose
oistlsu ishing principles frnpartfality, in
pssrity, true economy and industry that there
1ter ~ WIZ be Impossible for public officers OF
New York City 10 depart from that high stand
ar1 think &c would be the most gratifying
evidence or the ability OF the American peopie 10
solNe the perplexng and dangerous problems of
huiilcipal administration II this community bv
a "eelslNe vote, were maintain the admin
Isuaooh new has. l am glad 10 have an on
por1"ii1y 10 give my vote to that end
We earnestly commend those words Of truth
anu sooerhess 10 every voter who. honestly pre-
terthg Gooh government To bad has hitherto
tailed 10 consider how much this election means
not only for the next two years but for tho marc
distant future. and whose sense of personal r,