New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-09
Keep the Fusion Unsplit!


Mayor on the platform adopted by the
Democratic Fusion Committee it will be
putting its best foot foremost. The plat
form, to be sure, seems strange, coming
from a political organization which gained
and held its strength as the friend and
agent of corporations and corrupt vested
interests. Nevertheless, it is carefully cal
oulated, though its promise Of municipal
ownership and advocacy of municipal econ
omy were made with tongue in cheek, to
unite all the elements which have griev-
ance, real or fancied, against the present
administration. In that respect its eff
oacy must not be underestimate.
Mr.. Ellison, though not an unknown
man." sufficiently answers the description
Of "highbrow' used by "Curly Joe" Cas-
sidy to designate the type Of man the Wig
wan has been hunting for in order to avoid
the criticism Of having selected straight
machine henchman. By putting his name
forward at this time the Tammany forces
ray the highest possible compliment to
Mayor Mitchell Mr.. Ellison is respectable.
He has served in public Office with credit
He could hope to appeal with some success
to the business men of the community. In
short. he is the best type of the window
dressing or display material with which
Tammany sometimes has to ornament its
tickets. AS decoy duck for voters with
short memories or great credulity no bet
ter selection could be made this year; and
the fact that Tammany seems to be turn
ing to him indicates more certainly than
ANYTHING else could its realization that
Mayor Mitchell and his administrations
record have gained a solid hold on the
community.
Tammany is playing its game astutely.
Under the leadership of Murphy the anti
Mitchell forces are united and militant.
For that reason the apparent inclination
of Mr.. Justice Cropsey to play the game Of
"Jake" Livingston-a small and selfish
game-by entering the Republican pri-
maries as candidate for the nomination for
Mayor against Mayor Mitchell is the more
to be regretted. There are countless good
reasons for returning the present Fusion
administration to office, but only fool
would say that could be accomplished easily
this year. 1t can be accomplished only by
a solid and complete union of all the ele-
ments of decency and good citizenship, of
ell the voters who believe in honest, eff
Gent, non-partisan municipal government,
and know Tammany is not capable of CIV
ing the city such government. Justice
Cropsey's candidacy, though doomed to be
unsuccessful, would make rift in the
fusion necessary to defeat Tammany.
Mayor Mitchell is pledged to run for re-
election, and the Fusion committee is
pledged to have his name printed on the
Election Day ballots. Justice Cropsey can
not scare him out of the fight, nor can JUS
tice Cropsey drive the Mayor out of it even
by winning in the Republican primaries.
That much is certain. What the Brooklyn
man can do, if he persists, is to load on to
the Fusion campaign the bitterness of a
primary fight and the rancors which fol-
low one if he loses the Republican contest.
More, he can make the contest for election
a triangular one il he wins the Republican
nomination. In the first instance he would
be handicapping the cause of good govern
ment and adding to the chance Of its de-
feat; in the second, he would practically be
making certain Tammany victory.
II Justice Cropsey thinks he or any
other straight Republican candidate has a
chance Of election this campaign he is
strangely deluded. This is not the year for
g straight party fight, if ever there Is such
a year in municipal politics. Nor could he
undertake such fight with lasting credit
or satisfaction TO himself. He was an ac-
ceptable Police Commissioner; he served as
District Attorney of Kings County salts
factorily enough to the voters so they
placed him on the bench. These credentials
are sufficient warrant for his ambition to
be Mayor, but they are not sufficient war
rant for his injecting his candidacy into
q contest when the continuation Of good
government for another four years is at
stake. Mayor Mitchel's record is the issue
In this fight, not Justice Cropsey's. Justice
Cropsey, II nominated, could not make a
campaign on that issue. He would be an
added starter, an appendage, tail to a
kite. He could advocate the defeat Of
Tammsny and the advancement Of good
government until he grew black In the face,
but his presence in the fight would be the
greatest single aid Tammany could have.
The Tribune does not believe that JUS
tice Cropscy wants TO have Tammany Hall
returned 10 power. He has gained repu-
tation IN Brooklyn for independence and
for hatred of political bosses. II he de-
sires 20 retain that reputation, there is
need for him 10 smash the plans Of the
Republican bosslet who seeks personal adj