However, the saying had been used much earlier. Robert C. Morris, president of the Republican County Committee, said in September 1901, "There should not be such a thing as a Republican or a Democratic way of cleaning the streets."
"There is no 'Catholic' way to cook a hamburger" was said by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in 2007 and is a similar saying.
Old Fulton NY Post Cards
25 September 1901, New-York (NY) Daily Tribune, pg. 2, col. 4:
There should not be such a thing as a Republican or a Democratic way of cleaning the streets, of collecting the taxes, of arresting the poolroom and dive keepers, and it makes no difference whether a man is a Republican or a Democrat when his duties are to manage the Police Department, to conduct the finances or to supervise the whole municipal administration.
(Robert C. Morris, president of the Republican County Committee -- ed.)
23 February 1934, New York (NY) Times, "1,500 BACK SEABURY ON ECONOMY BILL," pg. 2:
He (Samuel Seabury -- ed.) expressed the belief, however, that the public had begun to realize that the administration of city government was not a matter of partisan politics but of business - "that there is no Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets."
18 July 1936, New York (NY) Times, "Mixing Elections," Books, pg. 14:
After years of struggle we get city elections separated from national for every one knows there is no Democratio way of putting out a fire or Republican way of cleaning a street.
11 August 1935, Chicago (IL) Daily Tribune, "Women Voters Fight Against Apathy Toward Public Service," pg. E3:
There is neither a Republican nor a Democratic best way to put out a fire.
14 September 1937, New York (NY) Times, "Text of Mayor La Guardia's Speech to Republican Women":
I stated in 1933, and it has been accepted in many cities of this country, there is no Republican way of cleaning streets any more than there is a Democratic way of putting out a fire.
19 September 1941, New York (NY) Times, "Text of O'Dwyer Speech Accepting Nomination for Mayor":
I recognize there is no Democratic or Republican way of cleaning a street or putting out a fire, but I believe that in a democracy, party responsibility adds greatly to the protection of the citizen.
22 August 1962, New York (NY) Times, "Durable Campaigner: Theodore Roosevelt Kupferman, pg. 22:
"As La Guardia used to say, 'There's no Democratic or Republican way to sweep the streets.'"
27 May 1965, New York (NY)Times, pg. 39:
Quotation of the Day
"I'm running as Lindsay. As Fiorello La Guardia said, there is no Republican way or Democratic way to clean the streets."--Representative John V. Lindsay at a news conference in Washington.
New York City • Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health • Wednesday, March 30, 2005 • Permalink