The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-02
OFFER THEIR AID TO JEROME.
LETTERS AND CALLS FROM MEN
WHO'LL SIGN HIS PETITION.
The District Attorney Talks Some More
About Freedom From Machine Dotni.
nation and His Own Appointments
Says Morris Tried 70 Dictate Them.

nHuOu Wuu Wv" SNpbVs'ss"s's~
Says Morris Tried 20 Dictate Them.
District Attorney Jerome received a
number Of letters from voters yesterday
saying that they would gladly sign petition
TO nominate him for reelection as District
Attorney. Others called on him pledging
their support Mr.. jerome was pleased
with the expressions Of good will with which
his announcement as an independent can
didate was taken.
In the course Of the day he added to his
formal declaration Of Monday that 1t was
against his principles to accept nomina-
ton from a political machine to which
he would be subservient In the admins
tration Of his Office or the dictates OF any
political leader Mr. Jerome took another
whack at bosses and political machines.
On this point he said:
II myself am very small factor In tho
situation compared to tho principal issue
involved. The big thing Is to break down
the evil solidarity Of the political machines
and TO 20 over the heads Of the groups OF
men who control these machines, or tho
bosses. directly to the people.
ITO my mind this Is the appropriate
time to make the test. In advocating
this principle I hope to create discussion
all over the country. especially OF local
political affairs. What l want to bring
out lie whether the people are politically
free or subeervient to the one man power.
But whether am successful or not, 1t will
not shake my faith in the principle. How
ever, think this is the opportune time, as
there is feeling OF unrest throughout the
country.
Gan you call it political freedom when
the people have the choice between two
men, either OF whom they would not choose
voluntarily? Little or no responsibility Is
felt by the man who Is elected by the votes
Of his party. AZ soon as he gets into Office
he begins scheming to hold 1t or to seek
promotion to higher Office. And to whom
does he 60 for promotion? To the men
who control the political machines-the
bosses. And every man who does this
believes that his subservience to the political
machine is necessary to hold his political
office.
Mr.. Jerome was asked II his action
wouldn't bring forth fine crop Of candi-
dates who thought they could be nominated
bv petition. Il don't think So he said.
Il am not fearing competition on that line.
I believe. that a man ought to know some
be absurd for me to come out for Supreme
Court Justice or Mayor on a petition. but
I consider / know something about the
Office now hold"
Then Mr.. Jerome referred to the APP
pointments he made when he was elected.
Il received q visit from Robert W. Morris.
then chairman Of the Republican county
committee. He came to me with a list
OF men whom he thought it would be ad-
visable for me to appoint as assistants
or in other capacities in the Office. looked
over the list: l told Mr.. Morris that Il
the men on it came, up to the standard I
had in mind would gladly accept the list,
and not only give all the appointments
to the Republican organization, but would
consider that the Republican county COM
mittee had conferred a great favor on me;
willis Munro came recommended by
the Citizens Union, but he only stayed
year, and don't consider that OF any con-
sequence 80 far as politics 10 concerned.
Shortly after the appointments Of Assistants
were lammany Hall men, but that made
no difference.
when / came into Office found William
j. Mckenna as chief clerk. ! learned that
hA was there through his connection with
,Tammany Hall | knew nothing against
him personally. nor did know any Of his
virtues 80 decided to put man in his
office with whom | was acquainted and in
whom could have the trust the office de-
manded. But l gave Mckenna several
of that time he came to me and asked to be
appointed to an inferior position. did,
and his work has been efficiently and hon.
estly performed.
Then there are John Redmond and Pat
rick j. Whalen, who is chief clerk of my
records. I didn't know their politics when
] appointed them. In fact, didn't know
Whelan's politics until he came to me and
asked my advics as to whether he should
run for the Assembly from his district.
factory and am glad that kept him.
! do not think know the politics Of any
other man in the Office, and II did 1t would
make no difference" !:
Soon after this talk Mr.. jerome walked
into Judge Fosters court in General SEES
policeman witness. The lawyer caught
sight Of Mr.. Jerome.
why, even Mr. Jerome has said that he
would not believe policeman under oath, '
said the lawyer.
Il never made that statement inter-
rupted Mr.. jerome.
Il read it in the newspaper" said the
lawyer.
If 1 made all the statements credited to
me In the newspapers l would be In lunatic
asylum" said Mr.. Jerome.
CUTTING WANTS JEROME FOR MAYOR.
r. Fulton Cutting made the following
statement last evening:
,.Mr,. Jerome's statement is character
istio OF him. Back to the people, always
strikes sympathetic chord. Certainly in
the memory of the oldest inhabitant no Dis
'-ct Attorney Of the county of New York
has 50 we'll earned the right to ask for re-
nomination. The feature Of his official life
that has particularly commended itself is
the way in which he has fulfllsd his duty
In entire indifference to political or social
influence. have known him for a long
time, and believe enjoy his esteem, but l
would never venture to ask favor Of him,
the granting Of which in any way involved
q change in his official action.
what l do not like about his statement
Is his evident desire to try to take himself
out Of the Mayoralty race. must frankly
confess that have for a long time cher
tshed the hope that l would see William
Travers Jerome the Mayor Of New York
city There il no man who SO forcibly
emphasizes the Citizens Union ideal OF an
administration. without spoils. favoritism
or political influence
1T is true that Mayor Mcclellan has
Allied the Office Of the Mayor with dignity
and personal honesty. He has occasionally
shown a desire to break away from the