The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-17

he's honest he'll say that the election OF
Mcclellan is return TO graft. He'll tell
them, If he's honest. that Tammany Hall
is a stencil in the nostrils OF honest
men,
In 1895 the fusionists nearly took Gaynor
as their candidate for mayor, but the
Citizens Union did not look upon him
favorably and withdrew from the con-
ference. After that, Gaynor publicly
declined 70 run.
He also had a boom for governor in
1905 but Charles F. Murphy sold out TO
Hearst that year. and the latter was the
Democratic nominee against Charles f.
Hughes. GayrioT supported Hearst. say
Ing; Certainly I Will support Hearst.
and advise every one TO examine and
ascertain what his political and economic
principles are before deciding against
him. 1t is a miserable man who Will
not look on both sides before making up
his mind"
That the Views Of Gaynor and Hearst
frequently coincide is fact patent to all,
and It is probable that tho latter is a
disciple OF the justice.
Before he was assigned 70 the appel
late division, Gaynor ives regarded as
one OF the most efficient trial Judges In
ability to facilitate the business OF the
court. He was sometimes irritable and
lacking in what lawyers are pleased 70
call the judicial temperament" He
would instruct young lawyers, abuse old
ones. and set aside legal precedents.
but 1t is doubtful whether he was re-
versed by higher courts moro often than
other judges One OF his chief targets
was the police department, whose tyran-
ny. he said, was worse than that OF
tho Russian police. 1t would be diff
cult 10 say how many times nc has dis
cussed police depotism land the threat
ened overthrow OF free government" in
his decisions. He believes the police
should not enter places without warrants.
nor picket gambling houses and other
illegal resorts. Here is an excerpt from
one of his decisions. delivered I'm the
case OF Peter Hale, whose saloon near
Washington Market was suspected Of be-
ing a resort for gamblers:
IF the police are suffered 20 invade and
raid houses and business places without
warrants. they will Inevitably use that as
means OF extorting money. Experience
shows this 10 be a thing not open to.
doubt. Indeed, It is sufficiently known
among us that that is the method by
which millions OF dollars have been eX-
torted annually IN the city Of New York
and police officials have been enabled 10
retire. one after another, with great
wealth"
Many people thought the Duffy incl
dent, whereby Police Commissioner Bing-
ham was Ousted by Mayor Mcclellan a
cleverly arranged Tammany plant" II
was charged Gaynor had come 70 the
rescue Of Duffy and free government
because he was ambitious TO be mayor
and wanted TO get into the limelight.
He repudiated the charge. Il say 70
you" he told one man. that this matter
has nothing 10 do with politics. I have,
as everybody must know, been offered
the nomination for mayor twice. and
twice I have declined IL. n I ever run
for mayor II will be because the good
people OF the community make a demand
Tor T. and I believe you know that
have not the vanity TO think that this
will ever happen"
Gaynor was right on this last point
There has been no clamOrOus demand by
the good people for his nomination
The fusion forces decline TO consider
him after he had made it plain that he
would not refuse a Tammany nomination;
the Tammany district leaders did not
want him. because they feared they would
| be unable 10 hold the Catholic vote;
McCarren. though a friend OF Gaynor.
was not altogether pleased at losing pres
| tige by having the nomination for comp
troler get away from Brooklyn. In view
of GaynOr being the representative OF
that borough on the ticket.
Thus GaynOr. critic OF the Tammany
mode Of government, becomes Tammany's
! candidate for mayor, the nomination hav-
ing come TO him he says. without even
suggestion OF any pledge. understand
/ ing. or condition whatever" IL is
difficult role for any man. particularly
| for one who talks about political corrup-
ton as Gaynor has done