Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. announces his decision not to seek a fourth term as mayor of New York. He explains his reasons for not seeking re-election, the decision process that went into it, and reviews his accomplishments.
The recording begins with a WNYC announcer describes the action preceding the Mayor's announcement.
Wagner talks about his pride for New York City. He has served the city "with devotion." He talks about his accomplishments and how he might be judged in the future and in the present. He has decided to end his service as Mayor on January 1, 1966.
He talks about what went into the decision that is "final and irrevocable." His sons are pleased with his decision. He feel regret and relief at leaving office. The decision was long in the making, it took some time "to mature." He felt announcing his decision too early would make it difficult to get things done. One of his major considerations was the drudgery of doing the job. He worried that this would be unfair to the city.
In April and May, the Republican John Lindsay, entered the race. The race intrigued him, he did not want the Republican machine to reenter New York City Politics, but this was not enough to make him reexamine his decision. The reason he decided to leave the race was because of his family. His wife Susan asked, shortly after he won his third term, that that term be his last so that he may pursue family life. He gets choked up recalling his wife's death in 1964. He talks about caring for his family since then. The mayoralty simply takes up too much time.
He attempts to anticipate questions that may be asked. He believes that the next mayor will be a Democrat. He will not name any candidates, but will eventually discuss it. He recalls his victory in 1961 and how it unshackled the political process from the control of the political bosses. He talks about being of sound health. He has not thought of the future or any potential political positions.
He can now look back with professional pride at the last 12 years. He recalls his political victories in 1954, 1961, and the election of President Johnson, as well as charter reform in 1961.
He talks about other accomplishments in non-political arenas. He is proud of his employees, the NYPD, and the NYFD. He is proud of the city's efforts in housing and in healthcare, including a measles vaccine, and social welfare. He is proud of the city's poverty program and the new city charter. He talks about his many social welfare programs and his settlement of labor disputes. He talks about the removal of the corrosive rule of city bosses four years earlier. He is proud of the cultural opportunities in New York - free Shakespeare in the Park and the preservation of Carnegie Hall - as well as the New York Mets.
He talks about people who degrade New York City. Faults should be view in the context of accomplishments. He talks about encouragement he has received from the city and the Democratic party. He thanks the Liberal party as well. He assures New Yorkers that he will ply ahead with new services for the city. He hopes that people will not seek to change his mind.
He declines to answer questions from journalists, given the emotions of the moment.
The WNYC announcer recaps the Mayor's emotional announcement that he will not seek a fifth term.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150582
Municipal archives id: T1433