New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-06
MAYORALTY CANDIDATES.

The open field left by the collapse of the
Citizens Union effort to foreclose the fusion
Mayoralty nomination for Mr.. Jerome In ad-
vance OF conference has already developed some
interesting suggestions, and it is to be hoped
that many more names will be brought for
ward for consideration 1t is a melancholy feat
ure Of our municipal life that 1t has for years
failed to arouse large numbers Of our best and
strongest men In such q way as to mark them
out to the popular mind natural incumbents
of the Mayors chair. They are too exclusively
engrossed in business or In national politics
Then. too, it is unfortunate that the popular
demand, especially in reform candidates, is for
leader Of impressive If not specta cular char
acter. Mere ability and respectability do not
appeal to voters who need to be aroused to re-
sent the kind Of government which Tammany
frankly stands for, regardless of its conven-
uonal tribute to higher aspirations. The rule
OF measures, not men," does not work In
reform politics. However cordially the voters
may agree to the doctrines of non partisanship
appointments for merit, the divorce of politics
and contracting and the curbng of public
service corporations, they want man rather
than platform to vote for. Consequently 1t
is necessary to pick from among the many men
who would make efficient Mayors somebody
who will appeal to popular enthusiasm.
The name Of exMayor Schieren inevitably
comes to mind when the possibility Of a Re
publican standard bearer Is suggested. He is
identfed with good government and has had
experience In administering It. He rescued
Brooklyn from long period Of looting, and
since his term as Mayor has been associated
with many enterprises for the public benefit
His name Is one which would everywhere COM
mand respect and confidence Justice Gaynor
is brought forward by the Brooklyn advocates
oil
many accounts attractive. Justice Gaynor was
the man who in 1891 began the attack on the
Mclaughlin ring which two years later result
ed In its expulsion from power by Mr.. Schieren
he Fought In the courts the very scheme of
using the government to benefit corporation
and contractors which has been developed into
line art by Murphy. Later he led in over
throwing Mckane. He is an able Judge and q
man whose honesty and conscientious devotion
to duty are beyond question. He is something
or a radical; people sometimes say he is a bit
OF a crank" But his "crankiness" has behind
1t basis Of sound morals and straight thinking.
ana generally consists in more fearlessy d.
rect attack on conventional abuses than suits
umld people His sharp opinions on the limits
OF police authority were much needed by our
laWless guardians Of law. He stands for soma
social and economic doctrines with which we
10 not agree, but he stands for them with dig
MY and no suspicion of petty sef-seeking and
that cannot be said Of some of the small men
largely selfadvertised as friends of the neo
pie" who are being industriously doomed as
candidates of labor and municipal ownership
leagues.
Many other names are worthy Of thought It
is possible that Mr.. Phibns past services for
honest administration may gain him considera
ton Ex-Secretary Fairchild is not a popular
nero out he ran as the Citizens Union candi-
date for Controller in 1897 and proved himself
good campaigner. Mr.. Charles E. Hughes Is
highly regarded by the community for his adj
mlrable work In exposing the methods of tbe
lighting companies favored by Murphy and
oakley. which are likely to be an issue in the
campaign. II his duties as an insurance nyesti-
gator do not prevent, he may make an avaiIa-
bic candidate. His colleague as insurance coun-
sci. Mt. Mcheen, would be an admirable Mayor
though not a magnetic candidate The Office
which long ago De Witt Clinton was willing to
resign the GoVernorship to take now affords
with Its prospective long term an opportunftv
for service and for fame which Is worthy or
even the most distinguished citizen and we look
to see many men of capacity for leadership dis
cussed In the next few weeks.