New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
| CHARTER PERFECT-GAYNOR
Spent All Summer Correcting
Document, He Writes.

There is not now a single wrong thing
in it," wrote Mayor Gaynor 20 G.. Augustus
Haviland of Brooklyn, on Monday in re-
NV 10 a letter in which Mr.. Haviand had
praised the proposed new charter and
taken occasion TO say some unpleasant
things about Controller Prendergast who
opposes the document. The Mayors letter
was as follows:
Dear Mr.. Haviland: I thank YOU for
your letter. / have spent the summer cor
recting and perfectiug the charter, ana
there is not now a single wrong tnlng IN
n. I cannot prevent these little politicians
". j. GAYNOR, Mayor.
Several weeks ago the Mayor wrote TO
Frederick W Hinrichs, in Brooklyn, prac-
tically repudiating the charter IN the form
in which il was at that time. He said ne
had had a charter prepared. but intimated
that it had been changed TO such an extent
that he did not want to claim any credit
for IL.
The letter Of Mr. Haviland, who for
some years was one Of the chief lieu
tenants I'm Brooklyn Of William Randolph
Hearst In the independence League, was
as follows:
T congratulate you. The mask so long
worn by your political enemies has at last
been removed. The battle against the new
charter seems 10 be not one for giving the
people a charter Of rights for their pro-
lection, but a mere battle 10 aid political
joDbers.
rest from his serious effort TO turn Brook
lvn subway construction and operation
over to the most heartless monopoly ever
tolerated in reputable community comes
hack like other statesmen without having
invest gated as TO municipal transit in for
eign lands and now makes il clear that
the battle against the charter is in fact
political battle and a personal attack upon
New York's honOred Mayor.
In my opinion II is now time for those
who believe the Mayor Of this great city
sincere in his desire 10 serve the people
honestly and well. even though they may
have differed with him occasionally. 10
come to the front and demand fair treat
ment for one who has so long served tine
community fearleselv and honestly
Ii is thine 10 rebuke those who seek only
PARTY supremacy. Mr.. Prendergast has
lowered himself IN his party service, and
/ fancy Republicans at nome and upstate
will not submit 10 his arbitrary dictatiOn.
lie has forced the issue. and Democrats
must now come 10 the defence OF the
Mayor ~ this great municipality.
II seems 10 mo that after two commits
sions of distinguished citizens have laho red
long and faithfully 10 bring forth a charter
for our city. and after suggestions from
hundreds Of other citizens ~ ought 10 be-
possible for "a Legislature - formulate a
charter as near perfect as any that can
be- made And now that Republican party
managers are making IL "A party issue The
Uemocrats must accept the ISSUE and pra-
sant "a charter without dcpriving the MAYOR
Of New York of any Of the rights now
vested In such an official And Republican
legislators who are not mere party pup
Dets should Tehuke all party bosses who
dictate 10 them as 10 how they should vote
ON a charter for the city Of New York
Fear not Mr. Mayor. In the end right
and Justice must prevail.
When the attention OF Controller Prem
dergast Mas called 10 the correspondence.
which was made public by Mr. Hayiland.
he smiled ana remarked. I've heard OF
Gaynor Dut who's Haviland?"