New-York tribune., 1909-07-05
GAYNOR rs RECEPTIVE E
MAY RUN INDEPENDENT.
Would LeaUe Bench for MayoraIty
Race ON Police Issue.

justice Gaynor is ready to accept a nomination
for Mayor for this fall This is the reply given
yesterday by of the Brooklyn jurist's closest
friends TO the question that is in the minds those
Interested IN the development of the local political
situation
1t is question that has become peculiarly inter
esting In the light of the complications caused by
Che upheaval in the Police Department following
the investigation by the Mayor of the Duffy case
at the request Of Justice Gaynor It may be stated
that his idea Is to have his candidacy put forth by
independent forces, and leave the parties and in
terests to indorse him or not.
The name of Justice Gaynor already has been
Drought forward as possible candidate for Mayor
this year. just as 1t has figured in pre-campaign
taik 5or a number OF years. but the surface
there has been prospect that the Brooklyn
man would consent to leave the bench and enter
the political arena than on previous occasions.
justice Gaynor reached the conclusion some weeks
ago. however, that the time had come for him to
crafty his ambition to before the public
candidate for executive office To a few of his
most intimate friends he has confded his ambition
and his conviction that this year furnished an
celent opportunity to present himself a
didate.
1t is conceded that the public indignation aroused
over the actions OF Mayor Mcclellan. not only in
dismissing Police Commissioner Bingham but in
apparently yielding to the wishes OF the Demo-
cratic leaders in the reorganization Of the de-
paTtment has complicated the Gaynor situation
II is question to just how much Justice Cay
nor Will be held responsible for this.
MAYOR WENT BEYOND HIM
His friends say there is no just ground for blar-
ing Justice Gaynor for the radical steps taken by
the Mayor. lie asked for the removal Of the Dufry
picture, and he desired the removal of General
Bingham because OF what he believed 10 be his
Rutocratic stand on the subject Of ''nugging" But
the decision OF Mayor Mcclellan upheld the police
practice OF photographing persons not yet con-
vcted, and the removal OF Commissioner Bingham
was not made because OF his part in this practice
but because he refused to carry out the orders of
the Mayor in the matter OF dismssng his secretary
and Of the deputies.
The police issue, as expounded by Justice Gavnor
that IS the autocratc and un-American methods Of
the SYSTEMS just alive before say the friends
Of the Brooklyn jurist The lowering OF discipline
resulting from the upheaval IN the organization OF
the department win probably bring issue more
prominently before the public than before.
Justice Gaynor is a who would insist on
maintaining his Independence Fer that reason he
believes Il would b, well 20 come before the public
Independent candidate. Having done so ne
holds that he could accept an indorsenort from
either the Democratic or the anrI-Tamrnany forces
without surrendering any OF his individuality or
weakening his position
His campaign would be large extent per
sonal. have been those made by District Attor-
ney Jerome With personal liberty official honesty
and proper regulation OF public service corporations
as issues. the friends OF Justice Gayuor believe he
would Put Up a winning fghs in a race FOR Mayor
no matter on what ticket he might
WILLING TO TAKE RISK
It has been said o: Justice Gaynor that he was
too timid to accept nomination which did not in
sure his election: that be not only welded TO
the bench. hut that he could not SnOrd 20 the
risk OF res!guing his SALARY Supreme CouT;
Justice without certain assurance cf election 10
another Office. How much OF truth mag have been
In these statements in the past his friends say that
there Is nothing In them now.
Ia the first place. Justice Gaynor has been the
bench for nearly sixteen years and his friends say
has reached the point whore the work does not
appeal 70 him any longer. AS a trial justice he
more or Jess independent. but as a member %
the Appellate Division the scope % his individuality
has been clrcumscri5ed TO degree. He chafed
under this. and those who know him best sag that
II would be BY means hard persuade him 70
leave The bench and enter a nght regain liberties
which he believes have been lost 10 the public
through an abuse OF government
AS 10 the old argument that he could not AFFORD
TO resign the friends OF the justice say q not
held good any more He s OF the executors
Of the Zieger estate from which he is understood
to derive good income This with the law
practice he could command II he failed of election
Mayor. would be more than enough to provide
for him and his family. It Is stated.
Not only has Justice Gaynor been approached by
representatives % the Democratic Organization.
but. it is said persons who VIII take an active
with him on the coming campaign. Justice Gaynor 1
hse been careful not 20 commit himself 10 either /
side. but he has noted carefully what they have !
said about hIs availability a cand. date.
ENDORSEMENT IS LOOKED FOR.
He holds II he places himself on in |
dependent ticket and upon personal platform II is
more than likely that he can obtain the indorse-
nent OF one side OF the other. That he would de-
uand perfect independence OF action. he holds. /
would make IL less unimportant to /
which side took him up. He believes he coulu |
command the independent vote in either case, |
which. his friends figure. would be enough TO In |
sure his election.
Justice Gaynor has let 1t be known that he in |
tends 10 sail for Europe in July, but, OF course. |
his plans could be given up he could return |
sooner than his nounced schedule would bring |
him back
There are those who believe that the independent |
candidacy OF Justice Gaynor will be announced be-
fore the date for his sailing. Others expect that It
will he sprung by independent committee after
his departure and that he VIII be asked to return
and make the fight However that may turn out, !
politicians OF both parties and leaders OF indepen-
dent movements are watching for developments in |
the Gaynor camp.