New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-20
.JUsT1CE GAYNOR'S POSITION.

Justice Gaynor's letter is not, as it has been
,ntarnreted in some quarters, a refusal to run
for Mayor. It is a refusal to consent to the
nresentation of his name as candidate 10 Tue
fusion conference That does not necessarily
mean that if the great body Of ant-1 anlhanS
voters still desire it. he will not lead Them II
NAV mean and no doubt does mean, sincere
reluctance on the part of Justice Gaynor 10 I'M
dertake the campaign, and a desire, so Iar as
good citizenship will allow, to discourage the
use of his name This is to be expected JUS
tee Gaynor holds highly honorable and lucra-
tive office. He is recognized as one Oh the
ablest Judges on the bench and when his term
of Office expires two years hence, the prooa-
bIity is that he might be reelected for fourteen
year term without opposition. Naturally lhe
labors of a campaign, possible defeat and fout
wears in hot water if successful, do not seem
charming to a person situated But justice
Gaynor is not a man who in politics, at the
bar or on the bench. has ever shrunk from do
ing his duty because Of the strenuous life 1t in
volved. and, If the leadership of the ant-Tam-
many movement appeals to him as piece OF
work suited to his efforts, there is good reason
to hope that at 8 suitable time and under suit
able circumstances he would consent to under
take it.
Many of the fusion leaders believe that it Is
suited to his efforts On a sane, moderate and
at the same time progressive platform justice
Gaynor would perhaps make the strongest can
didate who could be named against Tammany
In this day of popular enthusiasm for Jeromes
and Folks it is well to remember that Justice
Gaynor long ago made his record as a foe to
graft in public life. His exposure of the cor
ruption Of the Mclaughlin ring and his stopping
of their wasteful contracts were good train
ing for the work of ending the Tammany
scheme of working for its own pocket all the
time" by holding up corporations for contracts.
His experience in stopping the election frauds
of McKane at Coney Island would not come
amfss in other parts of the city. His reputation
is not a mushroom growth. His service did not
end with some spectacular achievements. BE
has continued now for twelve years to keep the
machinery of justice moving with great energy
and executive ability, and no judge in that time
has disposed of more cases or had a smaller
proportion Of reversaIs.
Justice Gaynor likewise has peculiar strength
as what we may call a conservative radical. He
is well grounded in Anglo Saxon law and has
an immense respect for its safeguards. We do
not know Just what his economical and social
theories may be, but, whatever they are, he
holds them in subsection to the fundamental
concepts of the American government He be
Ieves in personal liberty and the obedience OF
all men to law If put in the Mayors chair, he
doubtless would not give away the citys rights
to gas company any other corporation. He
would be hard man for franchise grabbers 20
get on with" but even the franchise grabber
would find his legal rights respected, and the
public business would be conducted with jus
tee and in good order. Justice Gaynor is a
man against whom no scare" could be raised.
Conservative men know him as a lawyer and
Judge UNFOLDING existing institutions faithfully.
But he is also man whom the poor and striv-
ing trust He will give them no more than the
law allows, and the great corporation no less.
He is impatient of the striker who ractises
extortion by damage suits on perjured evidence:
but he sympathZes with the troubles of the
ordinary citizen and tries TO see that he gets
his due. Radicalsm of that sort would be a
good thing in the City Hall
AS the fusiOniSts think over these qualities II
is natural for them to regard him as one who
would not only make a strong candidate but
good Mayor And Justice Gaynor is too good a
citizen and too devoted believer in indepen-
dent municipal government not to consider with
great care authoritative call to battle against
misrule which he is well trained TO correct and
theories Of city administration which he has
long fought.