New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-06
Indorse Mayor Mitchell!

lndOrSe Mayor NiitShci'
The overwhelming vote by which the
New York Republican County Committee
refused to indorse Mr.. Benefits candi-
dacv is evidence Of the extent to when 'he
real issues of this campaign have tran
scended the fictitious issue Of regularity
Having gone that far, it is to be hoped
this body at ITS next meeting VIII go the
rest of the way and indorse Mayor Mltchel
for support by the Republican voters.
II can well do this. Mr. Bennett has
been chosen by majority OF the kepuoh-
cans who voted in the primaries as the
rartv candidate for Mayor. Under the
law his name must appear on the elec-
ton ballot with the Republican emblem
following il. That fact does not bind any
Republican. however loyal party man he
NAV he. however he may cherish his ''regu-
larity." to support Mr.. Bennett The con-
stitution. the fundamental law OF TINS
state. makes distinction between munich
nal elections and Federal and state cleo
tons. at which party regularity and party
DrlNClDleS dIe liOnNI44NN =" ~
they are not in municipal contests.
The spirit of the party enrolment IS that
the voter pledge himself TO be IN general
accord with the principles OF the party
with which he affiliates for state and Fed
oral contests. and agree to support
majority Of the party candidates IN those
elections. But it is not the spirit OF the
law IF it were. the law would be in de-
hance Of the spirit Of the constitution
that the voter pledge himself TO party reg
ularity in city elections.
Thus the County Committee will be well
within the law and well within its rights
If it advises Republican voters to support
Mavor Mitchell and the rest of the Fusion
ticket. Moreover. it will be well within
the realm of common sense and entirely IN
accord with the highest conception Of pub
lie duty. The vote by which the Bennett
Endorsement was rejected means that he
cannot possibly hope to poll the full Re
publican strength in this community.
That of itself means that Mr.. Benefits
chances Of election are somewhat less than
nothing. Regularity" is his stock in trade,
even though he won his last election to the
LEGISLATURE As a Progressive candidate and
With Progressive votes. lie has no parucu-
lar experience with municipal affairs, no
particular qualifications to fit him for mu-
nicipal administration. In that respect his
candidacy makes no more appeal to mae
lendent voters than that of Judge Hylan.
The net result. so far as he Is concerned,
must be that if he persists in making a
campaign he will obtain part of the nor
NAL Republican vote and some slight scat
tcring support Certainly this would not
elect him; conceiyably it might leave HIM
\ behind the Socialist candidate, which would
be bitter pill for him.
The effect. therefore, of casting kepubll-
can votes for Mr.. Bennett will be merely to
split the anti-Tammany strength and to
contribute to the election of Judge Hylan
Every good Republican, every right-think-
ing citizen of whatever political aililiaton
or of none. should revolt at that Judge
Uvlan is the candidate Of Murphy. He Is
the choice Of Hearst, who a few years age
was characterizng Murphy as a piunderer
Cf the public who ought to be wearing
stripes. Judge Hylan is the candidate sup
ported by the "Staats- Zeitung," one OF
the proprietors Of which was dropped from
the Mayors Committee on National De
fence because of his un-American views
but which now is to get public money for
,l,.ortfrt,rr h. fIar,p7arv-'- dos
ignation.
Murphy has not changed. He is the
same enemy of the public now as he was
when Hearst used to print his picture II
Sing Sing garb. Hearst has not changed
his un- AmericaniSm because he prints plct
rres of the American flag from time &c
tine. Judge Hylan is their selection, their
creature-unwillng to meet reporters who
might ask him questions. unwilling to sc
70 a club luncheon in his own borough fol
fear somebody would ask him what he
thought of anything at all and he wouldnt
have the masters voice to prompt him.
This is the candidate, this is the crew
the supporters of Bennett would put into
mower. No mistake must be made. vote
which is not cast for Mayor Mitchell In the
coming election will be in effect vote cas-
for Judge Hylan. 1t will be vote TO put
Murphy and Hearst into control Of tins
CITY. II will be vote construed by every
rro-German, every seditionist, every dis
Ioval American, as Endorsement of theii
altitude. II will be vote over which the
Kaiser will have reason to felicitate him
self. for he may rightfully consider 1t
rebuke TO a high-minded, loyal American
cfhcial who has not hesitated at any time
70 encourage loyalty and suppress treason