New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-07
ZOE MAYOR-MGOMAN

Even Mayor McClellan's friends and support
ers troubled by the realization that their
actual candidate for Mayor is not Mr.. McCleI-
| Ian. but Mr.. MCGOWAN. The observations of
THE New-York Times" yesterday which we
reprint in another column, are little short of
a demand that Mayor Mcclellan pledge him
self, if reelected, to remain in office for a
full term and fulfil the trust which he asks to
have conferred upon him. THE Times frankly
fears Tammany, and thinks it would be unsafe
to intTust the welfare of New-York City to Mr.
Murphys organization, with MIR. Mcclellan re-
moved from the City Hall to make room for
Mr.. MCGOWAN the unknown member of Com
missioner Oakley's Pensacola Club. Mr.. Oak
ley it will be remembered, Is the official who
made the secret contract with the lighting
monopoly which outraged public sentiment and
led to the gas investigation. With him as the
leader of and sponsor for Mr.. Murphy's real
candidate for Mayor, the citizens could rest as
sured that the gas and electric interests would
not suffer.
Nobody will pretend that an official should
under no conditions, make a vacancy in one
place to take another. Circumstances are often
such that a change is proper. This is especially
true where situation arises that was unfore
seen when the original trust was assumed.
But we think It is true that when a man offers
himself to the public as a candidate for Office
it should be at least with the intention, In good
faith, Of performing the duties of that Office.
He has no right to ask for trust which he
means to abandon at the first opportunity. even
If he has, as THE Times suggests Mr.. McClel-
Ian should have done and has failed to do, pro-
vided a competent and trustworthy successor.
If Mr.. Mcclellan is a candidate in good faith
for the term in the Mayors Office beginning
January 1, 1906, and ending December 81. 1909,
he has managed to conceal the fact even from
his own supporters, who everywhere hail him
as their next years candidate for Governor.
Having persuaded the voters to make him
political availability on the strength Of his
personal reputation for superiority to his party
and on his suddenly discovered principles Of
independence he hopes TO turn them over to
the tender mercies of Mr. Oakley's proteg6.
The Times thinks it is not quite fair to say
that Mr.. McCleIlan's assent to the nomination
of MCGOWAN is equivalent to pledge not to
TRY for the Governorship," but clearly wishes
It were fair. or that Mr.. Mcclellan would come
out and relieve its honest doubts about hand
ing the city over to him just for him to hand
it on to MCGOWAN.
That is, OF course a perfectly reasona bic
position to take. 1t is a consideration which
should appeal to Mr.. AIcClellans sense of honor
and trusteeship, If he is really as devoted to
the austere performance of duty his ad-
mirers believe. But we fear they are doomed
to disappointment and must make up their
minds that in supporting Mr.. Mcclellan they
are supporting a scheme to make Mr.. Nc
Gowan Mayor. That scheme may be dangerous
for the city, but it is in line with Mr.. McClel-
lans ambition, and he has not let scruples like
those Of The Times" stand in the way Of his
ambition-either when, young man, he first
appeared in politics under Croker's patronage
in the days Of the Tammany enormihes which
Mr.. Golf exposed, or in the later time when he
went on the platform to glory in the shame Of
Van Wvc1 and DeEerY.