The proper limits of a letter of acceptance will not permit an adequate presentation of the importance to the commercial supremacy of the city of having its water front improved to the uttermost. The endeavour of other cities to wrest from us the position to which we are entitled by reason of the natural advantages which we enjoy, and the enterprise of our merchants, should awaken a vigilance which will furnish us with dock accommodations sufficient for our largest commercial needs. I heartily approve and indorse every pledge of the platform of principles adopted at the Convention. The great essential for municipal progress is home rule in the management of local concerns. Almost as a necessary consequence will we then enjoy that measure of personal liberty which imposes and permits only such restraint of the citizen as is necessary for the peace and protection of all. All lawful combinations which deny to any or all of our citizens a free field of competition must be suppressed. The municipality itself should both own and control its franchises, and where now such franchises are operated under grants to corporations, a fair charge, and that only, for the service rendered or convenience furnished should be permitted. In the prosecution of public improvements a liberal, but not extravagant, policy, as already remarked, should be adopted. The needs and claims of the various boroughs should be carefully considered and fairly determined. The eight hour law should be enforced, and, where practicable, resident labour should be directly employed. In all cases the prevailing rate of wages should be paid. As I understand the declaration of your platform upon this point, it means that every contractor doing work for the city should be required to pay as high a rate of wages as the city itself is required to pay for similar work. To this I give my unqualified assent. Let me add, in conclusion, that, should the people intrust me with the grave responsibility of the Mayoralty, I shall make the promotion of their welfare, to the exclusion of all antagonistic ends, the object to be striven for with every power of my mind and body.--Yours respectfully, ROBERT A. VAN WYCK. INDEX. Abortionists, The Police and, 147-149 Adams, Charles Francis, referred to, and quoted, 168, 205 Adams, J. C., quoted, 26 Albany Legislature, 171 “Alexander Woman,” 149 All Sorts and Conditions of Men, 135-143 American Commonwealth, see United States Andrews, President, of Brown University, quoted, 38, 40 Angelo, Frank, 103 _Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science_ quoted, 166, 168 Applegate, Wm., Evidence of, 108-115 Appo, Evidence of, 115-116 “Arabian Nights Entertainments” referred to, 18 Area of Greater New York, 20