New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-17
t,.,;ce Issues Statement
Explaining His With
drawal
Would Lack Support
If Elected, He Says
W.y Now Open for Clean
Cut Fight on Tammany,
Fusionista Declare

y,s,iee James c. Cropsey, Of Brook
=, broks silence last night and an
,onneed that he would not enter the
p,nublican primaries against Mayor
yitehsl. He pointed out that If ne
var. nominated and elected he would
s, in the position of one opposed to
n. present city administration and to
T,nmany and could hardly expect the
,oso.rstion Of other offceholders elect
A. nv the Fusion Committee or by the
n.uoerats. He declared that if the
,,opls Of the city wanted a continuance
., the Mitchell administration they
should reflect all the present city Of
fesrs.
The withdrawal of Justice Cropsey
sf,r weeks of anxious uncertainty
brought relief and Joy to the Fusion
leaders. 1t cleared the way for a
,lssn.eut fight this fall for Mayor
Mitchell and his administration as op-
rsed TO the Tammany candidates.
The Fusion leaders in Brooklyn had
worked hard for weeks TO eliminate the
justice.
Left Without Support
They succeeded in taking first one
,rop and then another from under his
boom. until he was left high and dry,
without even the support of Jacob A.
Livingston, the Kings County Repub-
lean leader, who fathered the Cropsey
movement.
There was no disposition last night
among the Mitchell Fusion leaders to
boast Of their victory over the Cropsey
D forces. The Cropsey statement ap-
psslsd to their sense of humor in so
fsr ss the Justice suggested that II he
headed the ticket the rest Of the can
d5it.s would be the Fusion selections.
ny recalled the frantic efforts OF the
CYussey boosters to put straight Re-
r,siean ticket in the field against
Fusion.
William Hamlin Childs, chairman of
he executive committee Of the Fusion
Committee of 1917, in an-interview last
rigtt took the attitude that, now the
situation was cleared, there was no use
il keeping up the war in Kings County
hy telling the justice just what the
members of the Fusion Committee
thought of him for muddling their
tsuse
q believe Justice Cropsey's decision
vii meet with the approval of all in
l,llistnt citizens of the city" said Mr..
Childs. considering all the circum-
stances, it was a patriotic action and
highly TO be commended. II clears the
road for a hard, clean-cut fight against
Ttmnsny, and that is all We ask"
Justice Cropsey's Statement
Justice Cropsey's statement follows:
The sentiment expressed by the
rity thousands of voters who urged
Ne to enter the primary as a candi-
ta,s for Mayor is most gratifying.
Tssir interest, support and good wishes
axe sineerely appreciated, and ! can
rot express adequately my heartfelt
thanks ! have given the request most
careful and conscientious consideration,
ind, after much deiiberation, am con-
vinesd that ! should not enter the pri-
EtfisS.
II | did. and was nominated, the
tsh-Tammany ticket would not repre-
snt either the views of those who op-
ioss the present administration or OF
nose who favor il. The balance OF the
ttsst would consist Of the Fusion selee-
tons
II the people Of the city want a
t'.tirusnee Of the present adminIstra-
Ten they should re-elect all the ofhcers::
ne city is governed BY the Board OF
Ultimate. The Mayor casts but three
's'ss IN the board out Of total OF SIX
bsn- The majority vote of that board
fsH be in harmony or the funda-
s.n;sl propositions affecting the city,
saer~ise no constructive work can be
roEplished. The Mayors vote rep
RstntS but small minority Unless the
yer members are in sympathy with
We're ! 10 comply with the request
~ BE- nominated and elected, ] would
~ the position OF one opposed both
: ne present administration and TO
.srmany, and could hardly expect the
,s'ieFation Of the men selected either
eSryS