New-York tribune., 1905-08-02
A MANIFESTO.

Mr. Jerome's manifesto virtually guarantees
an interesting local campaign. Heretofore there
has been some reason to think that political az
fairs would so shape themselves as to permit
the voters to take things easy; but whatever
combinations or disocations this frank avowal
of personal views, hopes and intentions may
nroduce there can be no doubt that with Mr..
Jerome in the field there will be a lively con-
test There is no news in the announcement
that the District Attorney desires reelection.
He had already taken care to leave no doubt
on that point in the public mind. His office
exactly suits him, and he has exhibited constant
proofs that he keenly enjoyed his work Nor
is there anything surprising in that fact He
possesses great power Of sort that Is partcu-
larly attractive to a man Of his temperament
AS public prosecutor he has been enabled to
employ his undoubted talents in large way
and TO command attention to the acuviues
which he has exercised. on the whole, in an en-
gaging manner. Nobody questions his integ-
rity, and few. we suppose, would deny his use
fulness; though his eagerness sometimes seems
to fall short OF complete efficiency.
We have said that Mr.. Jerome would be In
the field this fall and there can be practically
no doubt about it. for he is sure to obtain with
out the slightest difficulty great many more
names than a nomination by certificate requires.
There is still possibility, however, that ne
may be In the field as candidate for Mayor
instead OF District Attorney, for though he
frankly avows that he does not want Mayor
atty nomination, he does not say that he would
not take one, and he may perhaps find himself
subjected to a pressure which he does not fore
see 1t would not be exactly accurate to say
that the declaration OF his candldacy for re
election has upset political calculations, for
there had been no calculations except Of the
most speculative and shifting character. We
have no doubt, however, that Mr.. Jerome's an
nouncement, following his bitter attack on Tam
many leadership and ruthless disparagement of
the Mayor, has seriously disconnected Murphy
and his advisers. 1t would make them gag to
indorse him, but Iney may conclude that they
are reduced to the painful necessity of swallow
| ing the dose.
Mr.. Jerome has at the same time done what
he could TO make things unpleasant for Repub-
] iicans who earnestly supported him for the Of
fee which he is anxious to retain But they are
used to that, and If convincing proofs should be
/ supplied that a restoration OF good government
for the benefit Of all the people depended upon
an acceptance Of his candidacy we do not be-
lieve that the proclamation of his natural an
tpathies would deter them from giving him the
votes which he might require. But whether or
not situation of that sort will arise remains to
be seen. In our judgment, Mr.. Jerome himself
will have much TO do with determining what the
situation is to be. His present manifesto, so
characteristic and in some respects SO captivat-
ing is not, as 1t stands by any means a con-
elusive assurance Of that unwavering loyalty
TO the general welfare which he has so profuseIy
and so vehemently professed