New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-27
4 POLITICAL INDECENCY
The People Would Resent Proposed
Change an Board of Regents.
To the Editor Of Inc TrIbune.

To the Editor OF Inc Tribune.
Sir: In your issue OF January 20 you comment
editorially my efforts TO secure the nomination
by a Republican caucus Of Thomas P. Peters
Editor Of The Brooklyn Times" a Republican
newspaper, for the State Board OF Regents TO sue
coed Dr. St. Clair McKelway Editor OF The
Brooklyn Eagle" Democratic newspaper.
You say that the Board OF Regents is and should
be a non-partisan body. and you intimate that 1t
is improper for me 10 suggest to a Republican eau
Gus the election Of Republican editor 70 succeed
Democratic editor.
You do not fail 10 admit the fact that Mt Peters
Is we'll qualified for the Office, but you base your
criticism of my action on the undoubted fact that
DR.. McKeIway is also Wen qualified. and that such
an exhibition Of craftsmanship the election OF a
Republican take his place would be unjustihahle
On this point I wish TO take issue with you
The Board Of Regents. while non-partisan in its
actions, is partisan enough IN its makeup 1t has
always been the custom for each party 70 caucus
and select as its candidate a who is in SYM
pathy with the party.
When DR.. AIcKelway was elected TO the board.
on January 10. 1883. this custom was followed He
was at that time Editor Of The Albany Argus" a
very decided Democratic organ. He was selected
in caucus by the Democratic majority, and ran
for election against Matthew Hale, the nominee OF
the Republican caucus brother OF tbs distinguished
Robert c. Hale. through whose death the vacancy
had been created, and man to whose fine qualities
DR.. McKelway himself testified editorally IN The
Argus"
Major Haggerty, OF New-York City, IN seconding
the nomination Of Dr. McKelway, placed 1t on the
ground. among other things. or the Democratic
editors service 70 his party.
At that time the Regents were elected for lie and
until few years ago when the law was changed
and a limit placed on the length Of their
terms Dr.. McKelway was secure IN his once with
out any chance OF a change being made by Re
publican legislature Now a limit has been placed
20 his term and the limit has been reached, and
It remains for Republican legislature 10 elect his
I have referred YOU back to the time Of DR.. Nc
KelWay's election in 1885 Let me reLef you PACK
Tor the once by a 4oInoCLeillC ~ -.
Gratis had nominal majority az the time, out tne
caucus c7Ticot F,hS TSapIIIicans voted for
Charles P EasrOn. The vote was impossible 10 poll
a majority for either candidate There was poLJlcs
TO prevent the attempt from being successful.
A majority was necessary 10 elecL non and as
sion Of Senate and Assembly adjourned sine die
without having elected anybody and the position
remained vacant tin the following year.
The fight In 1852 was purely and absolutely on
eerence to your own Albany dispatches on March 81
1SS2 II either party Lao PEN WING tPaI H99
have been trouble about electng Dr, Mchelway
In uTgiag upon Republican legislators the cleo
riou Of Republican TO the Board Of Regents, II
has seemed 10 that ought TO meet objection
from none except those who favored some other
Republicar- Respectfully y G%Ta, r ror7xrp
Brooklyn. Jan Is 1903
Whatever ideas of parusanship may have pre-
vailed in 1883, the people Of New-York to-day
will not tolerate the deposition Of one OF the few
Democrats in a non-political body like the Board
Of Regents 10 make piece Of party patronage.
The Republicans two years ago. when electing an
entire new Board of Regents. chose DR.. Nickel
way to represent the minority. His dispIace--
ment now would be political indecency which
the great body of Republicans as well as Demo
Gratis would resent, and we DO not believe that
the leaders in the Senate and Assembly have an
idea Of doing anything Of the kind.l