New-York tribune., 1909-10-02
Mr.. BANYARD'S PLATFORM.

In his speech Of acceptance yesterday NJ.
Barnard went straight TO the issue on which the
municipal canvass turns. The fusion movement
is primarily a movement TO restore efficient and
economic municipal administration Tammany
government has been wasteful and incapable
because il has aimed less at promoting the pub
lie welfare than at maintaining a vast army Of
political mercenaries at public cost The city's
expenditure has been excessive because of the
high commissions exacted by those whom the
voters have delegated TO manage their affairs.
Probably from - TO 40 per cent of the real cost
OF the municipal establishment goes to poiti
clans and the business associates of politicians
who give the community no service in return.
The real complaint OF suffering public is there
fore not so much against liberal expenditure for
public objects as against waste IN expenditure.
For every dollar which the citizen contributes TO
meet the charges laid on the community (and
every citizen must contribute in the shape of
rent. transportation charges and the general cost
Of living, whether he pays taxes directly or not)
he gets a return in benefits equivalent to from
so 10 70 cents. He ought to get full dollars
worth. and would get II but for the diversion Of
the missing proportion TO support and enrich
the middlemen who dominate local politics.
Mr. Barnard premises that if elected. he will
see that those who pay the cost Of government
obtain a just equivalent for every dollar which
they contribute. The Tammanv platform de-
clares against a ''parsimOnious administration"
Middlemen charging commissions on the bust
ness which they handle hate the idea of ''parsi-
mOnv" MT Barnard does not believe in parsi-
mony. either But he holds that an efficient city
administration. conducted in the public interest,
would soon cure the present evil Of overexpen-
diture. It would release funds now diverted TO
private benefit and enable the city, without in
creasing taxation. to devote money enough 10
public duties now discreditably neglected, like
the preservation Of life and health. the educa-
''tion of the children and the transportation of
the people TO all parts Of this great city"
VIII Mr. Barnard. If elected. he in a better
position 10 enforce economy. ct off waste and
hasten improvements than Judge GaynGr, his
Tammany opponent? That is the real question
for every voter who wants a full return for his
share Of the cost Of city government. Mr.. Ban
nard has been nominated by organizations rep
resenting citizens of all parties He is under no
partisan obligations. He is not being put for
ward. like Judge Gaynor. by an association of
professional oficehOlders and Office brokers N
a desperate attempt 10 hOodwink the public and
protect threatened sources of livelihood. If
elected. he viii not have a hungry and thirsty
party organization on his hands and will not be
hampered by associates on the municipal and
borough tickets nominated for the express pur-
pose Of perDetuating maladmnistration of the
old unsavOTy sort His obligation 10 the forces
which support him will be discharged if he sets
the cty's house in order They expect that Of
him and no more But Judge Gaynor's oblga-
ton 70 Tammany cannot be so easily discharged.
Tammany does not expect him TO Kill the goose
which lays the golden eggs. 1t merely throws
him a sop TO the public TO divert attention
/ from It's own preparations to keep control Of the
citys budget board retaining control of which
il can defy all attempts TO conduct municipal
affairs on the basis of a dollars full return for
every dollar collected and expended. The sue
cess Of the fusion ticket will mean an honest
and a united effort 10 serve the community. The
success Of the Tammany ticket would mean
continuation Of the old order, Tammany still
measuring its ton on the city's resources with a
( milers thumb.