New-York tribune., 1909-05-23
THE COMMITTEE OF ONE HUNDRED.

The names of the men chosen by Mr.. Robert
c. Ogden to assist him in forming q nonparu-
san Committee of One Hundred are an aSsur-
ance that the movement TO oust Tammany ana
restore efficiency and honesty in municipal ad-
ministration through union OF all good cltlzehs
will attract the support of many diverse elements.
That is desirable and proper for every class and
interest in the community which is not inhuenced
by predatory motives or not allieu in some way
with the corrupt and semicrtminal forces winch
control IN Tammany Hall has stake In the
fight to make the city government cleaner ana
less expensive Tammany misrule raises rents
and taxes. encourages graft and blackmail. de
moraIizes the police and adds in numberless
yVays to the cost of living IN this city. Every
element in the population here whose burdens
are increased by extravaganza and inefhciency
in administration will, we think, unite TO drlVe
Tanlmary out Of power if the evil enects OF
the present system can be brought home to the
voting public.
Too often in the past similar movements nave
failed because they seemed TO be promoted for
personal or partisan benefit The force pc
hind them was political rather than civic. We
have had alliances representing parties, or
factions of parties and temporary associations
with special purposes and interests. These nave
worked together as allies but often halt-heart-
edIy. because each element was mandeuvring Tor
it's own advantage. What is wanted now Is
q movement in the single interest Of good gov
ernment with as few complexities as possible
We believe that the Committee Of One Hun-
dred. now forming can do most YaluabIe
work in spreading itself all over the city, oDV'-
ating the necessity for 8malgamatinG many
minor organizations and interests, and reflect
ing the sentiment of the voters who. without
regard TO party lines. want good government
restored and will vote for the candidate for
Mayor who best represents their aims ana
seems most likely TO defeat the candidate OF
Tammany.
We have said that the Republican organiza-
ton in this city should exert itself at once 10
supply a strong and acceptable candidate tor
Mayor since the Republican party must rur-
nish the great majority of the votes in any
campaign against Tammany, and should there
fore be the leading factor in such campaign.
The mistakes of the past ought not to be re-
peated. Those mistakes cost the Republican
organization much prestige. The Republican
managers failed to see that they ought 10 thKe
the lead IN the fight against Tammany ana
prove their capacity to lead by putting forward
q candidate who could unite all opposition ele-
ments and identify the Republican party Win
the cause Of civic betterment and progress.
They have held back and dickered and been
content to unite with other elements on the
rising to the occasion. nominating the man of
the hour and seeing the other friends of good
government eheerfully support their candidate
because he was the best and strongest candl-
date possible.
We believe that energetic and intelligent Re
publican leadership now would pave the way
to the complete union Of all antiFammany eie-
rnents and their decisive victory next fall. we
heartily welcome all patriotic and diS-nterested
efforts like that OF the Committee of One Hun
dred to facilitate union on the best candidate
and to bring home TO the public the manifold
evils of Tammany misgovernment. New York
would be a vastly better city to live in II we
could substitute intelligent, upright admins
tratien for the parody Of it which now prevails
The taxpayer and rentpayer would get more
for their outlay. and the waste caused by graft
and crime would be diminished. Those who
give time and effort to improve civic conditions
are genuine public benefactors. The projectors
and members of the Committee Of One Hundred
should be honored SIS SUCH