Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-09-18
SETH LOW, FORMER
MAYOR OF GOTHAM,
TAKEN BY DEATH
Continued From Page One,

tContinued From Page One.)
the first societies organized for the
promotion of cooperation and the
prevention OF waste and imposition In
charity service.
Appears in Politics.
1t was during the campaign OF Gar
field for president, in 1880. that Mr..
Low first became prominent in pol
itics. A Young Republican club"
was organized in Brooklyn to pro-
mote the Garfield campaign. and Mr..
Low was selected as president OF the
club. Municipal affairs in Brooklyn
we're at that time in bad way, sui
fering from the wave Of extrava-
gance and corruption that had been
set in motion by the Tweed ring in
New York. Mr.. Low and his club
insisted that the Improvement OF civic
government could be accomplished
only by disregarding party lines and
national issues, so far as municipal
affairs were concerned. The prin-
ciple at that time was new on-, and
Mr.. Lows leadership in the move
mcnt resulted in his election as mayor
OF Brooklyn by the regular repub-
lican and independent forces. In 1888
he was reelected for secone term.
He stood squarely and insistently for
business principles in local affairs,
and he carried the municipal admin
istration in Brooklyn TO such high
point OF efficiency that he was almost
universally praised. He was remark
ably self-reliant ana fearless. 1t IS
said that when he was elected mayor
he demanded OF the men whom he
named for the most important heads
of the departments pledge that each
would hold his resignation mo-
mentarily subject to the call of the
mayor. 1t was an unprecedented de-
mand, and 1t illustrated his high
sense Of responsibility during his ad-
ministration.
Travels In Europe.
On the expiration OF his second
term In Brooklyn, Mr.. Low spent sew
eral years in European travel and
study. He had always been most
loyal and interested alumnus OF CO.
lumbia and had been on the board Of
trustees since 1881. In 1890, in his
fortieth year, he was rendered the
presidency OF the university. He made
no pretensions OF being an educator
in the technical or professional sense.
but he decided to accept the call. His
administration was a billiant one.
A student OF men, rather than OF
books, he was notably man OF great
executive and organizing ability, and
financier OF keen insight and sound
judgment. 1t was during his admin
istration that the university moved
from downtown to its present COM
handing site, covering four city
squares on Morningsidc Heights.
Through his influence many large
gifts OF money were attracted to the
university, and he himself gave 81 ,000,-
600 for the erection OF the stately
library building which is memorial
to his father.
He brought about the coordination
OF the various schools that now make
up the university and founded the
University Council, which made the
sphere Of university influence include
nearly 5000 students and nearly 500
names on the roster Of instructors.
Asked what he considered the
greatest need OF American colleges
and universities today, Mr.. Low once
said: Each college has its specific
need. When was in Chicago |
urged the university in that city to
become an authority on railroads,
since II was situated in the greatest
railroad center in the country. While
at Johns Hopkins ! said that univer-
sity should give its attention to the
negro problem, for which its geo.
graphic location makes II particularly
fitted. believe the University OF
California, similarly, should devote it.
self to the Asiatic question. As for
Columbia, situated in this city, be-
lieve it's attention should be turned to
finance, and on the human side il
should study carefully the immigra.
ton question. Each institution should
attempt to become an authority upon
that subject to which its geographic
situation makes il best adapted"
In 1901 Mr.. Low resigned the presi.
dency OF the college, but he continued
as a trustee until July. 1914, when his
resignation from that board ended a
connection Of thirty-three years.
Nominee for Mayor.
Mr.. Low was nominee of the citi
zens' union for mayor of New Yort
in 1897. but as there was no fusion ir
the campaign, the Tammany force.
defeated both General Tracy, the re-
publican nominee. and Mr.. Low. Ii
1900 Mr.. Low ran again, on a reform
ticket, and was elected. He gave tn,
city a clean and progressive admins
tration along the lines which he hae
so successfully introduced years be
fore at Brooklyn.
| In addition to the public service al
ready noted, Mr.. Low held innumer
able quasi-public offices. such as tn,
presidency OF the National Civic fed
Grafton, and as a delegate to the peac,
conference at The Hague in 1899. II,
was a man Of poise and balance, stric
and precise in business. but also on,
OF the most approachable and genia
of men. He was frequently Gale,