New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-22
FAV0RS B0ST0NPLAN
PLEA By SETH LOU
1T Mc4neng Dinner He
Urges Elections after Petition

Expressing his conviction that direct
primaries would not prove successful. ex-
Mayor Seth Low, at the City Club last
night. proposed q plan which he believed
would give the electors in great cities
more active participation in the selection
OF city officials
The occasion was dinner given in honor
OF George McAneny on his retirement from
the presidency OF the City Club 10 become
President Of the Borough Of Manhattan
Ex-Msyor Low would have candidates
nominated by petition. as IS being done
IN Boston. with the provision that there
should be no election except by a ma
Jority vote. II no candidates should re-
ceive majority On the first election. there
would be a second election. the candidates
10 be the two standing al the top AZ hrst-
The speaker expressed the hope that the
City Club would seriously consider the idea
Charles j. Bonaparte. former Attorney
General OF the United States, started in
by referring in a light vein 20 his ac-
tlvities in that once. Il was az one time
a malefactor." ne said-"not OF great
wealth. but OF more or less pernicious &C
t-vity- But those evil DAYS have gone. and
have become again more ~ less re-
spectacle member os society"
Sir. BOnapar;e praised the work OF NJ.
McAneny IN Civil Service reform and ex
pressed the belief that IN ONCE he would
show himself a logical and practical sdvo-
cate OF the principles 20 the defence OF
which he rad devoted the best years II
his life.
Charles s Whitman. District Attorney
elect. raised a laugh az the expense OF the
guest 81 the evening by telling how Mr..
McAneny had explained 10 him how he
could get around some OF the apparently
insurmounrable obstacles in me civil
Service Law
Why, that Is the easiest thing IN the
world" he quoted Mr.. McAneny as saying
70 him after both Democratic and Republi-
can politicians had told him II was i'm
possible 10 make certain changes he de-
sired He said he did not believe the law
was meant 70 protect inefficient and lazy
men in once. and If Mr. McAneny were
able 20 DO in his once what he proposed 70
do. he would be comforting a lasting service
on the community.
If 7 carry out Mr.. McAneny's sugges-
tions." said AIr. Whitman. jokingly. Il may
have 20 indict myself. and II he carries out
what he proposes 70 do m his ofioA 7 may
have 20 indict him
Mr.. Whitman said he would allow no boss
el-A- A-1 AlcN paper c0lLor 10 dictate Wnat
should he done IN his ONCE. but would DO
his duty according 70 the dictates ~ his
own conscience
Edward NJ Shepard said the FIRST request
he had 10 make OF Mr.. McAneny was that
n he OIr- Shepard sent any letters 10 him
h hoped he would not only tear them up.
bur would destroy the alternate PARALLEL
grams
Eight years ago. said Mr.. Shepard, when
he was running for Mayor. during the brief
time when he had 2 vision Of himself as
chief executive Of the city h could not
get Mr. McAneny out Of the picture OF his
Official family. although Mr.. McAnenv vas
opposing him in the campaign.
The one thing h would say ~ Mr. Nc
Aneny. declared Mr.. Shepard. was that he
should not allow his friends - ne him
down 70 the details OF his of1ce As Bor-
ough President he should devote himself
% working oUt some great ideals as 2
member OF the Board of Estimate. ideals
which no successor could ind n possible
70 ignore
MI McAnenv spoke ~ the problems Of
TIRE ofroe that he is about - assume. and
declared that he would leave nothing IN
done 70 place r. on the highest plane Of
efficiency both as n detail and from the
larger point OF view Of constructive work
Eugene n. OuJerbrtdge chairman - the
Committee Of one Hundred. also spoke
Charles s. Strong. who succeeds Nlr. Nc
Aneny as head Of the City Club. presided