Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 4.djvu/495

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&emsp; You are aware, I presume, that I am to speak at a meeting of Germans next Friday evening in behalf of your candidacy. A good many of my acquaintances are hesitating as to whether to vote for you or for Mr. Roosevelt. As you no doubt know, the argument used against you with considerable effect is that, although the nomination was thrust upon you, yet, in order to obtain the energetic support of Tammany Hall and of the County Democracy, you have been obliged to give pledges to their leaders, or at least to come with them to some sort of an understanding as to appointments to office.

Whenever this objection to you was advanced in my presence, I answered what I believe to be true: that Mr. Hewitt has no understanding, either expressed or implied, with Tammany Hall, or the County Democracy, or any other political organization or set of politicians, as to appointments to office to be made, or patronage to be distributed, in the event of his being elected mayor; that, on the contrary, he will make his appointments and conduct his administration and carry on the work of reform in the affairs of the city with a sole view to the promotion of the public good, and not in any partisan or factional interest.

This I have constantly expressed as my honest belief; but the correctness of that belief having been challenged, I should be glad to be able to say that I know it from the best authority. And as I regard you as the best authority I address myself to you personally with the request that you tell me whether my belief is correct.

It is not my purpose to elicit from you, in reply to this, a letter for publication. I only wish to be enabled to