New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-26
GAYNOR'S PHILOSOPHER
ON STUMP FOR FUSION
"OId Mel" Smith, EpiCtetus of
St. James, a Tiger Killer at
MONDAY Rally.
FORESAW M'CALL TICKET
Late Mayor, Says Friend, Pre-
dicted His Nomination-De-
clares Tammany Treach-
cry fastened Death.

Melville c. Smith. "old Mel Smith
the philosophically inclined livery stable
keepcr Of ST. James. Long Island. In
whose kitchen the late Mayor Gaynor
spent many long winters evening taxi
ing over the government Of the Empire
City. came to town yesterday to add MS
voice 10 the fusion cause. firm In the be-
lief that Tammanys attempt to murder
Gaynor politically actually shortened his
life by many months. Mel is running
for Sheriff OF Suffolk County, but he
could not resist the opportunity onered
him by Robert Adamson. the fusion man
ager, to get into the fight against the
enemies of his old friend.
He was all the more anxious TO help
the fusion cause because two OF the men
on the ticket. at any rate. commanded
the admiration OF the late Mayor. They
were McAneny and Prendergast, he said.
Cavnor told him only three weeks before
he died, Mel declared at the fusion
noon meeting in Union Square yesterday
that In the three and half years during
which he had been associated with the
President OF the Borough of Manhattan
In office he had always received his near
" support on every question In when the
vital interests OF the city were involved.
II wish to deny the impression which
seems TO have fourished," he went on.
that Gaynor was opposed TO McAheny
and Prendergast / know from my per-
sonal contact with him that he held these
men in the highest esteem. l also wish
TO state that any man who makes the
declaration that William ]. Gaynor was
partial TO the elements which control
Tammany. that man is falsifier. l had
II from his own lips that he was unalter-
ably opposed to Tammany and Its meth
DDS"
Mr.. Smith rose TO speak while the rain
was pouring its hardest yesterday noon
You may think that this is fearful
storm" he told his hearers In the muggy
hall, but this is only a heavy dew TO
the storm which will hit Tammany Hall
on November T. In my home, on the
north shore OF Long Island, could hear
Yesterday the crack of the gun which
showed me that the open season for
ducks was on. Coming In on the train
this morning I read that last nights
speech OF that little red headed Irishman.
Hennessy, and knew that the open season
for tigers had also begun.
II was honored by having the conf
dence of one OF the most progressive
Democrats that ever lived. In my kitchen
on winters evenings he and I used TO
talk over the political problems OF this
city. I want TO tell you New Workers
that you never had a man In the Mayors
chair who gave his attention so minutely
10 the details Of his Office. so that the
humblest citizen might have protection
under the law
"A political boss. stretching out his
hand, has yanked the Governor Of the
state from his chair. and the same polit-
teal boss, by his refusal TO nominate
splendid representative American for the
Mayoralty, FASTENED his death. II you
do your duty in the City OF New York
on Election Day | can promise you that
we'll do ours out on the eastern end OF
Long Island And when the votes are
counted that night, from the beacon light
on old Montauk Point 10 the Great Lakes
In the west OF the state, Murphy and
Murphyism. Tammany Hall and Tam
manyism, will he buried beneath an ava
lanche OF snow white ballots"
Discussing the Mayor and his relations
with Charles +. Murphy. Mr.. Smith said
at the fusion headquarters:
Commissioner Drummond claims that
Gaynor had nothing but high regard for
Mr.. Murphy. ! don't want 10 enter into
any political controversy. but Commas
sioner Drummond is mistaken. Judge
Gaynor was never fooled by Murphy.
When the word came from Albany that
Mccall had been made Public Service
Commissioner he stopped in at my house
and said. 'Neighbor the next Tammany
candidate for Mayor will be Mccall That
was an example OF how far he looked
ahead.
"He objected. and objected strenuously,
TO Murphy as a boss. and what he
thought OF him was well expressed in his
speech OF acceptance. There was no dis
putting that Mayor Gaynor looked upon
Murphy as a boss who deserved 10 be