The Washington herald., 1907-05-01
The Case of George 3. Mcclellan.

liz N-AAN VI oNDA - ID tANkaNAAuha
Fair and impartial observers Of current
events are doubtless impressed with the
idea that it may be well to await some
what more tangible and definite develop
ments before unreseryedly condemning
Mayor Mcclellan. of New York. for his
alleged deal with Tammany. Our afec-
ton for the mayor Is not ardent. and yet
We do not believe that he should be de-
MED any par. Of whatever degree Of JUS
tice is necessary TO constitute a square
deal" If We accept the reports now
coming from New York, he has made
peace" with Murphy and the lesser lights
Of the Tammany outfit, and since an of
fetal, whatever his Importance can only
be at peace with that organization by
obeying the orders Of its unspeakabIe
heads this can mean nothing else than
the chief executive of our greatest city has
indeed parted with his birthright. But abso-
Lutte confirmation OF these reports is lack
ing. and until it is forthcoming, or until
more positive evidence is brought for
ward we think it only Just to MI Nc
ClellaH that the public withhold its de-
cision in his case.
Broadly speaking. Mr. McClellans ad-
minisraton has been more creditabIe than
otherwise. While at times he has seemed
to lack firmness and determination and,
perhaps, the power Of initiative. there
has been rather less scandal since his
term in Office commenced than during the
incumbencies Of a long list Of his pred
ecessors. We're 1t not for the black blot
of bis opposition 10 recount Of the bal
lots cast in the election in which Messrs
Hearst and WINS commended with him for
the mayoralty, it might truthfulIy be
said that he has been a good mayor
That blot is ineradicable. Whatever may
be Mr.. McCIelian's personal feeling
against Mr.. Hearst, or his opinions re-
garding the legality and fairness Of the
election, the public can see but one rea-
son for his stubborn and persistent fight
against a recount That reason, il is
almost superfiuOus to state, is the fear
that if the ballots were cast up again.
it would be shown that Mr.. Hearst. and
not Mr.. Mcclellan was elected mayor of
New York. If there is any less discredit-
able motive behind the position he has
assumed, Mr.. Mcclellan has not succeed
ed in making the country realize its ex-
istence.
But this badly besmirched page in the
mayors record is practically the only
one there. Up to the present time II has
been obvious that he has not been DOM
mated by Tammany. Among other things, !
he favored the police bill. which Tam
many fought bitterly and which. now
that it has been enacted into law, is en-
abling Commissioner Bingham at least
to make a start in the direction of re-
forming the criminal police force OF the /
metropolis. He has been regarded as
representative of the better element of
the city. Everything considered, the /
story that he is now willing to push
Bingham aside and practically render the |
new law nugatory In order 10 gain the /
support of the Tammany gang in his eff /
forts 10 kill the recount bill comes as
distinct shock. The accusation is so seri- |
Gus, indeed, that the inclination is nat
pral 10 await verifeation before consien-
ing George B. Mcclellan 10 the e1fserace- /
ful oblivion so richly deserved if the our-
rent reports Of the recent deal are show,
to be true. Here in Washington. to-nor- /
row. hundreds OF veterans of the civil 4
war viii gather to witness the unveiline, I
of the monument Of a brave and honor |
able ehieftain whose name was aiso
George 3, Mcclellan Can It be that the /
son is engaged IN such Infamous work at