The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-20
One Language They All Understand.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN--Sir. The
hyphenated Hungarian-Americans are stated
to be lukewarm In their support of Mr. McClel-
Ian for Mayor on account OF tho episode OF
the raising Of the American flag on tho City
Hall following the death Of Kossuth, the
patriot. The hyphenated German mericans
are stated to be favorable to the candidacy
Of Mr. Mcclellan on account Of his attitude
and assurances on tho al-important beer
question. The hyphenated Italian A mericans
are represented as being in revolt against
Mr.. Mcclellan on account OF the preference
tor alleged preferencej given to the hyphen-
ated Greek-Amercans at the license bureau
under the present administration: and for a
like reason the hyphenated Greek-Americans
are said to be effusively favorable to Mr..
Mcclellan. The hyphenated Bohemian
Americans have already declared themselves
Tor some OF them havej as unalterably op-
posed TO Mr. McClellan's candidacy. whereas
the hyphenated Slovac-Americans are de-
scribed as enthusiastic. to the verge Of po-
litical freAzy. in support Of a candidate whose
whole record has been searched, with patient
and minute scrutiny. without disclosing q
single declaration. act or vote Of his which
could be described as remotely hostile to tho
wishes. aims and purposes of any hyphenated
Slovacs.
groups of the campai gners. To stimulate
the enthusiasm of those who favor. and to
appease the hostility Of those who oppose.
Mr.. Mcclellan, the yeracious and industrious
Delany, never idle and seldom silent, has,
with Napoleonic promptness. arranged for
series Of meetings in the last week OF the
campaign. at each of which Col. Mcclellan
may address the voters of the city In some
other language than his own.
But the language with which unfortunately,
30 many voters have grown YEARLY and dis
pleasngly familiar is the one Tammany
I'm Office speaks too often. 1t il Tiger talk.
1t is the language Of the Tammany men. on
either side Of the East River; on either side of
Newtown Creek. on either side Of the Har
lem. and on either shore OF the New York
Bay. 1t is the language Of the pubics enc
mics. not of their faithful representatives.
1t Is the idiom Of graft.
Does Mr.. Mcclellan speak It? Does be
understand It? Is he not the candidate OF
those who are familiar with no other speech
in their political transactions?
Etymologically. graft talk Is without recog-
milton: practically. the man who speaks it
can usually make himself we'll understood
when Tammany is in Office here few
phrases are these: What is there In it?"
Have you got the goods2" Are you solid
with the organl2atlonf Wnat ID the rake
OFF," as 1t cinched with the Commissioner.
Put up or shut up" Has no the dough-"
How many are on the ground noor2" When
was 1t axed?" How much Is promises. and
how much is cash?" why should the place
60 out Of tho district" who else is in on it,"
What's the price paid?" is there any come
back?" will you see him through" is
this figure on the level?" is there any
throw-oif?" rs this in any one else's terri
tory2" who gets it," and why can't the
business be done direct2"
This Is not the language Of good citizenship.
It Is not the language Of honest men or OF
faithful public servants. 1t Is not the Ian
guage OF sincere partisans or Of patriotic
American electors and no man who does not
Internationally disavow that -he stands
for it" should be elected Mayor OF this city
on Nov 2. II.
NEW YORK, Oct 10