New-York tribune., 1905-11-09
TIE nISpUTED CONT.


The close vote for Mayor makes it possible
that proof of comparatively few frauds, or even
the correction of errors in the official count OF
the vast number of split tickets, may give the
election to Mr.. Hearst instead of Mr.. McClelah.
Mr. Hearst is fairly within his rights when he
decides to make a contest Indeed in view OF
the suspicious delay in returns from districts
which materially increased Mr.. McCleans plu-
ralfty and the reports of intimidation OF voters
In some precincts by Tammany officials, 1t would
seem to be Mr.. Hearst's duty to take measures
TO vindicate the freedom of the ballot and the
honesty of the count by submitting all alleged
wrongs to the judgment of the proper tribunals
Nobody for an instant supposes that Mayor Me
Clelan has countenanced any fraud or would ac-
cent office with what he believed to be clouded
title. The desperate men intent on continuing
in power under his administration notorlousy
from old time have such scruple and thelr
readiness TO carry an election by fraud Is eA-
actly measured by their need and opportunity
Mr. Hearst after his own manner. makes DEC
larations which are manifeStly eNtravaganl
Nevertheless there is a residuum OF suspicious
circumstances which cannot be set down either
to sensatonaltsm stubborn unWllilnghess "
confess defeat Serious charges which dld not
originate with Mr. Hearst, but were maze py
Mr. Jerome and his watchers and by hepupll-
cans put the vote as declared under grave sus-
bAt'S -
Ian If they are not thoroughly investigated ana
cleared I'D. On the other hand, it is by no means
impossible that frauds of similar character
equally demanding Investigation, were commit
ted in the interest Of Mr.. Hearst
We should much prefer Mr.. Mcclellan to Mr..
Hearst In the Mayors chair. We believe tnat
Mr. Mcclellan will be a better Mayor IN the
future than he has been in the past o"lhs as
he does his election-f he really Is elected-to
70 for WI
nartisan grounds. The power of Murphy. Whom
he has hitherto so Loyalty obeyed, is broken; the
Tammany machine is disorganlZed- ana MT. NC
CleIlan has an unlocked for opportunity 10 Ioi
low his own highest promptlngs- On the olher
hand. we detest Mr. HearstS political character
and distrust his application of vague ana I'M
practicable political principles We think New
York would be much better off under MI. NC
Clelan than under Mr.. Hearst. But that con
sideratiop is entitled to absolutely no weight
The noint at issue is vastly more important tnan
sny question of personalities or OF policies. II
goes to the very heart of democratic govern
ment The right of the people TO cast rhelr votes
freely for whomsoever they wish and to nave
those votes fairly counted is fundamental we
might believe that Mr.. Hearsts establishment III
the City Hall would be the signal for the most
anpalling disaster and that the citizens VINO
voted for him were all knaves and foois-wnlch
we do moi believe for we know that the practical
harm which he could do mas been largely over
estimated and large part of his support Is non
est if blind revolt against real abuses Yet
even If we had such dark forebodlngs, we should
defend Mr. Hearst's title TO office II the voters
gave it to him. Better four years or even the
most reckless and incompetent city government
than four wears of stolen security. Better bad
administration founded on the peoples Will than
good administration founded on the suppression
of their right of self-goVernment
The Urinary duty Of Mayor Mcclellan at TINS
moment not as a candidate, but as Mayor. is TO
take effective measures for an honest and I'M
martial sitting of these charges. He is the trus-
tee of his opponents rights as well as OF Ills
own More important. he is the trustee OF the
peoples rights He should discover if policemen
or election officers in any way interfered with
the freedom and fairness of the election. All MS
authority should be exerted to insure the seating
of Mr. Hearst if the plurality of voters declared
20 i'm,