Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-09-11
MAYOR GAYKOR


The death of Mayor William J. Gaynor re
moves from American politics unique and in
teresting personality,--a figure of tragic sad
ness.
The New York mayor has been conspicuous
II not always an effective executive He ha.
been through four troublous years of politics
and in that time he has been ever the center Of
the storm. he has done much good work and
<ome poor work. He has aroused the keenes1
n1miration and the bitterest hatred; the
.sanchest support and the most violent opposi
ton. He has been lauded to the skies and con
Iemned to almost unutterable infamy. He has
been alternately even simultaneously in the
minds OF mena good angel and corrupt and
evil influence in municipal affairs.
Plainly, such figure as this must be inter
estine
Gaynor went from the supreme court of New
York to the mayors chair. Previously he had
been busy Democrat in New York politics He
Ind fought election frauds and was often at outs
with Tammany. He was hard hitter, popu
lar fighter
Gifted with ready tongue and an even read
Ter pen, endowed with the picturesque personal
RATS Of Joe Cannon, or Tom johnson or a
Golden Rule Jones, Gaynors first two years
81 the mayoralty made him a national figure
he proceeded steadily in popular regard; he was
1tii7e, strong, independent; and he won the af
lection Of the millions of New Workers. In those
two years Gaynor went into the forefront of De
Uocracy and was mentioned as presidential
possibility.
Then came the day when, starting for a vaea-
Ton trip to Europe, he was shot by half-crazy
man who had been refused some small city job.
TO the effects Of his wound IN the throat have
been attributed the unfortunate facts Of the last
two years of Gaynors rule in New York City.
Re has remained energetic, picturesque, ready
Of tongue and pen. But he has shown inexpli-
able lack Of judgment, a craving for public APP
|'1nsc, peeSishness that at times amounted to
1IiIdishness. His failure as prompt and far
.eeing executive has been equally marked.
When, a year ago, the revelations of the Becker
trial astounded and shamed New York, Gaynor
Ifrsistently tried to block the inquiry and per-
sistently tried to belittle the Whitman probe. He
has done other things just as obviously foolish.
His most serious offense, in. the eyes of his
many critics, was his tacit partnership with
Boss Murphy, the notorious chieftain of Tam
many Hall. Gaynor was picked for Tammanys
candidate some time ago. Later, with an at
tack centering on Gaynor by most Of the New
York papers, Edward E. Mccall president of
the public service commission, was named the
ostensible Tammany candidate. Immediately
the charge was made that Mccall was put up to
heat the Fusion candidate, John Purroy Mitch
Ell, and that Boss Murphy in the end would land
either Mccall or Gaynor, Gaynor having an
nounced himself ready to run on an independ-
enf ticket
The death of the mayor now brings the fight
down to q cleancut issue between Tammanyism
and the Fusion forces A desperate effort is be-
ing made to uproot Tammany hall, and there
are good chances of success.
Mayor Gaynor's many virtues and his many
faults have made linn composite whom
future and not present writer's must Judge. 1t
viii probably be recognized that what promised
to be a great career was ruined by the bullet.of
an assassin But that is one of the tragedies
With which American history abounds, and one
81 the menaces to which strong men in political
re II America must submit themselves