New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-17
JUDGED OUT OF HIS OWN MoUfH.

AT Carnegie Hall last Thursday night. in the
Inspiring presence of the Hon. Charles F. Muir
ply Judge Gaynor tried 10 excuse himself for
accepting a nomination from a corrupt and
predatory political organization like Tammany
Hail. He denounced as ''scoundrels" the critics
who hold that the faint of Tammany support is
inescapable With a heat which neither
christian jurist'' nor a disciple % Epictetus
woul' be expected to show, be exclaimed:
Those scoundreIs profess to say that they are
Mortified that l. after a life of integrity which
they admit, should accept the nomination OF the
Democratic convention of the city of New York
Out with them, out with them all, hypocrites
scoundrels, defamers; shut UP and get out!
Trying to live up TO his new role as an ally
of Tammany, the judge also condemned his
"sIanderers' as "slanderers OF New York"
Why" he remarked. with the enthusiastic ap-
proval of his Tamnany nominators, Il under
take to say that this is the most decorous city
con the face of the earth" And further: 'It is
time that these slanderers Of the city of New
york be made to shut up. They have slam.
''dered us all over the world
Yet, If 10 describe copdtions in New York due
70 Tammany maladministratiOn is TO SANDER
the city" Judge Gaynor has been fertile and
picturesque 8 purveyor of SANDER as anybody
whom he is now trying to silence. Moreover,
he clothed his ISLANDERS with all the author.
'i;y and hnality of delverances from the
Supreme Court bench. Here is one example OF
his righteous indignation at the conditions Of
turpitude prevailing here:
from decision Justice Gaynor in the
matter OF J. Rufus Terry ct al. plaintiffs. agr
Patrick J. Gleason ct al, defendants. Supreme
Court, Kings Special Term, October. 1897. MIS-
cellaneous Reports. New York, q, 1851
The facts pleaded present seandalous case
OF official dishonor, eerruption and betrayal OF
very little, IL at all. Such official betrayaIs OF
public interests have been SO common that II IS
no wonder IL many have come 20 despair that
they will ever be rennedied or done away with
Has Tammany nomination banished skepti-
cisn and rekindled childlike trust?
The Tammany candidate for Mayor says that
only @'sooundrels'' win believe that men Of good
character can be used by designing politicians
10 impose upon the voters and by means OF that
imposition to maintain their own power. Yet
he has put on record with the utmost positive
ness exactly the same belief With prophetic
vision he has himself described the part he is
now playing in Mr.. Murphys campaign comedy
In decision handed down in 1897 he said:
the complaint OF William Mccloskey. Supreme
Court, Kings Special Term. October, 1897. Mis-
eellsneous Reports. New York. p. 1851
Il is a part Of the history of the state that at
che time our present election statute was first
enacted municipal government had generally
fallen and settled into the control of dishonest
and criminal persons who politicians
by trade and without any lawful occupations
and who had interest in government in
politics exeept to obtain opportunity 70 enrich
and sggrandz. themselves by footing the pub
lie treasury. They obtained end held such con-
troll by means Of their control of party oTganiZa-
tions and by system OF voting which exposed
the voter 70 the oversight and strong influence
of such organizations at the polls. In this way
they enabled 70 nominate and elect 10 nigh
Office, not themselves, but individuals of better
name and fame, willing, however, TO be their
mere tools when elected and TO place allegiance
20 those who thus put them in honorable office
above official obligation and duty to the
Hunty. The government of many of cities
had in this way become so low, base and
rupt that account Of the like could be found
in past history except in the case Of govern
nents and nations which were fast tottering to
their fall, either from the general moral de-
basement or the general despair of their citizens.
Judge Gaynor may protest that he as an in
dividual "of better name and fame" is not going
TO prove a stool Of Tammany if elected. But
how can he quarrel with those who see in the
situation in which he finds himself just what
/ he saw in il twelve years ago? His critics do
not judge him falsely or unjustly. He is being
! judged out of his own mouth
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