New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
GAYN0R Is PUZZLED
SAYS 1T Is HARD TO
PICK SLATE
Mayor-Elect Tells Neighbors
Good Men 4re Difficult
to Find.

nue.. Brooklyn, last night, to where his
fellow members Of the Montauk Club had
arranged dinner in honor OF his cleo
tion as Mayor. In his speech he said he
had accepted only on condition that
Controller-elect Prendergast also a
member OF the club, share the honors
with him. But Mr.. Prendersast is at
Lakewood, recuperating from the grip.
end his name was not mentioned on the
menu card. However, he came in for as
much applause as Judge Gaynor in the
course OF the evening.
II was purely a dinner of my friends
and neighbors, confined to the members
Of the club. and Republicans were as
prominent as Democrats.
Timothy L. Woodruff, chairman of
the Republics State Committee and an
eX-president OF the club. was one OF the
chief speakers He said he had opposed
Judge Gaynor simply because the judge
vas the Democratic nominee, and added:
If he had only been the fusion nominee,
how much better off he would have been
during the campaign and how much bet
ter or both of US would be now
After horde Of autograph collectors
had been satisfied the ost-prandial part
OF The evening began with eulogistic
Introduction OF Judge Gaynor by Will
lam H English. president OF the club.
The guest OF the evening. in craving
permission TO read his speech could not
restrain his usual fling at the press,
whose long hand fingers and short
hand minds" he said. often made him
say things ne did not mean TO say, even
Il h. had really said them.
REFERS TO LONG SERVICE.
Judge Gayn6r referred 10 his long SER
vice il the cause of good government,
and repeated his former declaration that
he did not purpose 10 change his charac-
Ter just because he had been elected to
Once. The wish is father to the
thought" ne added. in the case Of those
corrupt persons and newspa pers who
profess 10 think I shall Shun them and
their advice as you would the words of
serpent"
Touching on the appointments he has
n make, the Mayor elect said:
Y suppbse some Of you think il an
ezs1 matter II pick out proper and COM
pstent persons for the principal offices.
] wish some OF you would try it and
send ne your list / asked an editor
who writes as though il were as easy as
eating Z cheesecake TO do this, but he
gave Il no in tyventy-four hours
Judge Gaynor said that a member Of
the club 10 whom he had offered the
position Of Commissioner of Bridges had
declined for reasons Of business and
health "Of course. We have 70 look out
for our private interests and family well
fare" he added. but something is due
from every one, and much from some,
to the general welfare
SOME NOT OFFICE SEEKERS.
II vas moot true said the judge. that
every one was an aspirant for public
Office but many there are who think
themselves entirely fit for any office
when they are fit for none. They would
noT think of seeking private employ
meut until they had first learned it, but
do not hesitate TO ask for public place
the work Of which they know nothing
Of"
In closing. Judge Gaynor made q
somewhat enigmaticaI utterance. which
derstood fully. He said; 4 do not want
an political bigotry and partisanship
70 come between thee and me, for be
tween q bad Democrat. and good Re
publican there is very little difference"
Some did not know whether this was
meant as commendation or condemna-
ton for Republicans, or whether or not
Judge GaynoI referred to himself a
"hal Democrat" Chairman Woodruff
Rot back AT HIM by saying: "AlI Demo-
orsts are bad and all Republicans are
good. agree with Judge Gaynor that
there is no difference between us
With eight votes in the Board of
Estimate chairman Woodruff said the
Borough OF Brooklyn could rest safely
in the assurance that no one of the other
four boroughs would get away with any
tHing 10 which it was not justly entitled
he added This club is especially a
beneficiary of the results of the recent
municipal election. 1t is to be regretted
that Air. Prendergast. our other fellow
member also recently called 10 high Of
tce and great responsibilities by the peo-
pie Of th,= greater city. could not have
been with us that we might have in
oIlged tonight IN cOnsummate war
dance of victory. with the scalps Of the
other boroughs dangling at our belts,
regulated to the measure Of the six
votes which. if not. I regret 10 say, po-
hucaiIy YOU must concede, Judge Gay
nor. ~ As d club VIII absolutely and eX-
c-usiYcly control III the governing board
q the coming city administration"
WOODRUFF PRAISES GAYNOR.
III closing NJ. Woodruff said that as
much as persons might have differed
n the camp algu as 10 who should be
elected Mayor, il was a source of salts
faction that the Office would be filled
Tor four yea-rs by man of intellectual
training and attainments. who has at
heart the lest interests Of this great and
growing community.
ana this caused Il general laugh. 1T
Is obvious that you thought would
labor under q certain degree Of embar-
iassmeut il called upon 10 speak to
night But beg To- assure you. nay fel-
l0'r members Of ;h,- Montauk Club. that
u ls Jess embarrassing for me as d Re
publican 20 speak about Judge Gaynor
man D. mas proved TO be for some
Democrats to write letters about him.