Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-10
Gaynor, If He Lives, Is Demo-
cratic Choice for Governor.
OPINION OF POLITICIANS
Attempted Assassination Proves His
Great Strength With People.
MORE THAN MERE SYMPATHY
Public Interest in Stricken Mayors
Behalf Evidence of Esteem in
Which He Is Held.
Special From StsY Correspondent

Special From n Stsr Correspondent
| NEW YORK. August 10-"If he re-
covers he will have to take the demo-
cratic nomination for governor"
ihls is the verdict generally expressed
IN poltlcal circles about Mayor GAY
nor now. 1t is probable that the
sentiment VIII find increasing echo as
tiine goes on. The mayors most en-
| thusiastic friends had no idea OF tho
degree of esteem in which he was held
by the public at large. and which is
| manifested in the widespread express
slons of regret over the attack upon
him, and the genuine solicitude Of the
New York public for his recovery
One has only to read the messages
of sympathy coming from all over the
country to realize that Mayor Gaynor
had already become national figure
| Unquestionably, every democrat in New
York will take notice of the tribute
paid the mayor, and will not fail to
| observe that he is the most prominent
man in the public eye in New York to-
day.
| y feeling of optimism as to his sure re-
covery exists, SO that already the politi-
clans are beginning to figure upon the fu-
ture and the effect which yesterdays pitt
ful event may have upon democratic poll
tics, state and national. 1t should be
kept in mind right along that democratic
state politics in New York this fall has
a distinct bearing upon democratic ma
tional politics for 1872.
4 Believe He Would Accept.
The boom for Gaynor for governor may
take such impetus now TO sweep every
thing aside and result in genuine de-
mand of the people for his nomination.
In such event. the belief is held by those
close to the mayor that he would accept
the nomination. and with pleasure.
With GaynOr nominated i'm such man
ner, with harmony in the democratic
ranks, barring Hearsts opposition; with
the republicans hopelessly split into fac
tions with knives at each others throats !.
with the general unrest and resentment
of the people against the party in power :
with all these To be considered, the bet
ting odds would be largely In favor OF
Gaynor carrying New York, possibly with
| a landslide.
} Who will deny that i'm such event ne
would give your uncle Jud Harmon, Of
, Ohio run for his money on the presi-
Dental nomination.
Quite ,n ponderous structure built ups upon
ever. that's the way the politicians
are talking. and L am here to give you
what they say and do.
1t is exceedingly interesting to observe
the Outpouring of public interest and
sympathy in the mayors behalf. Only
the natural. kindly expression of SEMI
mental people. shocked at a horrid crime.
you say? You are mistaken. It's deeper
than that 1t means that the people
have been watching this man ) course
for three-quarters or a year, with grow
ing approval, and now are finding vent
to express their feelings.
| 1 found that out during my sojourn in
New York this summer, and had planned
to send The Star a dispatch this very
day telling how Gaynor mad made good.
life. from the high-brow democratic
leaders sitting over their chess at the
Manhattan Club, to the petty ward lad
ers. who feel the pulse of the public.
Reforms to His Credit.
Here are a few things he has accom-
plished in the first seven months Of his
four-year term Of office:
| He has struck unerringly and decisively
at extravaganza in municipal expendi-
lures, digging at the foundation OF an
acknowledged vicious system, which was
piling up the tax rate of New York
enormously.
He has struck equally vigorously and
as effectively at the monstrous system or
graft and extortion in the police ue-
partment. built up under Tammany
years of control. and which was the bone
and snew of Tammanys power.
Civil service protection has been eX-
tended as never before to the many de-
partments of the city government, taking
under its shelter the humbest employe.
Political pull has been minimized in not
able degree, and 1.-The man higher up has
lost much of his power.
Il IL of ia n q
| to saw the magistracy. coming into daily
| contact with the peoples smaller affairs.
| has been toned up by the mayor and is
| showing the example of his attitude and
admontion.
| He has abolished the plain clothes police
| system. which he found TO shelter extor-
| ton and tyranny, relieving the enforce
ment of the excise laws of reproach.
Cleaned Out Resorts.
| He has cleaned out the all-night tender
loin resorts of malodorous character.
| He has tried to teach the police TO use
discretion and common sense and has
insisted that they be honest in their re-
lations with the general public. A notable
example was his first visit a few nights ago
| to the all-night court and his rebuke and
criticism of the tyrannous methods of the
| police.
He started in to reform the system OF
| tax assessments by insisting that all citi-
| zens be treated fairly by the tax board.
| and that political pull shall not relieve
| big property owners Of just assessment
| He has been the friend of the humble
merchant on the East Side, and has
directed that the Orthodox Hebrew, who
celebrates Saturday as his Sabbath, shall
not be arrested for opening his little shop
on a Sunday
A remarkable tribute was paid him last
night by the Hebrews of the East Side. 1t
was given once before when President
Mckinley was near death. and when the
idolized Rabbi Joseph, beloved OF all the
Hebrews, was near death. Services were
held in every synagogue in New York
last night from to 1:30 O'Clock, during
which the synagogues were crowded by
worshipers, who came to offer up
PRAYER for the mayors recovery.
Similar services are being held today
in many Episcopal churches and wor-
Shipping places OF other denominations.
There is general loathing for the mis-
guided Gallagher, who shot the mayor,
and he is to receive short shrift in the
Jersey courts, according to Pierre Gar
vin the prosecutor of Hudson county,
where he will be tried. Garvin says that.
dependent upon the mayors condition