New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-27
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
IN THE MATTER OF FITNESS.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: To a friend who asked why 1, a
Democrat, favored the election of air. Ban
nard, the following reasons were given:
The political views in national matters
of the mayoraIty candidates make no diff
ference at ALL AS Mayor neither could
apply them. Mr.. Barnard cannot, if he
will, administer civic affairs in a Repub!i-
can way. for there is no such way. For
like reason Mr.. Gaynor cannot guide us on
Democratic civic lines, for no such lines
exist.
1t is. therefore, a case of selecting the
man best fitted by training. experience and
temperament for the great administrative
work of the Mayors Office. He must APP
point subordinates and hold them respOns;-
BILE for results. Therefore, he should be eX-
Perienced as an employer in large affairs.
and have shown his efficiency by results.
He must, with his colleagues, direct the
finances of the greatest of municipal cor
pCrations, now at a rather critical period.
Il seems essential. then. that he have finaH-
cial experience and knowledge and that he
be discreet and far-seeing.
He must, as chairman of the Board OF
Estimate and ApportiOnment work IN close
touch with associates representing various
districts and needs and different respon-
sibilities, and he must also such come in
direct contact with many citizens interest
ed deeply in the action of that board. He
will need, therefore, tact patience and clear
business judgment TO discern false from
true, and to hold the right balance between
the real needs of the city and the earnest
and vigorous demands alike of his fellows
and the public. These requirements are in
the nature of the case. and are true now
added honesty OF character and a sound
record
How do the three men before us meet this
test?
Mr. Hearst. though a campaigner OF
marked ability. has a record of defeat. His
only service In public Office was one of spe-
eial neglect of duty He breaches with
vigor but when he had the chance he did
not practise. He has shown ability as an
employer. He has had no special financial
training. No one will urge that he is calm,
discreet or patient He has made money
on radical lines with consistent disregard
OF the rights and feelings of others and m
constant violation of the decencies Of life.
Mr. Gaynor was a judge with little judi
cal dignity and less reserve; he has issued
frequent ''pronunciamentos.'' In these re-
spects he is unlike other judges and is by
merit raised to that bad eminence." He is
without executive experience. None has
been claimed for him. His addresses show
conceptions of finance that are at least
vague and that are unaltered by correction
But particularly he has. even in his judicial
career. exhibited a violent temper and
marked impatience. To speak of him as
tactfuI or discreet would amuse his nearest
friends. Concede him to be honest, it can
mo- he ba -,
statements after they have been fully
shown him to be untrue, and that where
his own interests are concerned he en-
braces that which hitherto he has declared
abominable. AS refOrmer he has been
vocal and vigorous as a citizen he has neg
lected to pay his taxes; as a landlord his
tenements are and have been the scene of
numerous violations of law; as a candidate
he has been abusive. From his recent let
ters are taken the words "Scoundrels,"
hate" assassination lying" Jealousy"
"treachery," believing and the like. In
his speeches are used words the papers can
not print.
BY contrast with both above Mr.. Ban
Gard is calm forceful. yet quiet He ap-
peals to passion, shouts nothing in ex-
element. He has been large employer
of strong and capable men, and with sue
cess While Mr. Gaynor has talked of that
which should be done for the poor Mr..
Barnard has been doing it. Mr. Bannard
Is student of finance and is an executive
of marked power. He is tactful and dis
Greet. wise and considerate. yet he gets
things done. He has no word of abuse for
his competitors, but against evil he strikes
hard.
Naturally, as these things are known bet
ter. the trend is strongly in his favor.
Power will tell. and to-day the movement
to Barnard is strong and increasing. He
alone oc the three suits the need of the
hour WILLIAM c. REDFTFyn
DrOoI,IvD not 1OO0