New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-30
THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
At the last City election very important
movement was begun and partially accomplished.
That movement was for the divorce Of our NUM-
cipal government from partisan politics. Bitter
experience had convinced all thinking men that
neither the Wing party as such, nor the Demo-
cratic party ss such, could longer be safely
trusted with the administration of the City,
The corruption and brutality OF the primary eiee-
tions of both parties and the disgusting results Of
bargaining away the City for State and National
ofices, made radical change necessary Ac-
cordingly party obligations were rePudiated' ana
a. far az possible men independent of party COM
mit.ees and party intrigues were nominated ana
chosen. The result has been encouraging. As
far AZ the Reformers have not been hlndered and
prevented by hacks Of the old parties, they haze
| done excellent service to the people. The move
ment ouebt not TO be abandoned but should he
prosecuted more earnestly than ever. The Re-
form is well started; let US now carry it through
efiectually and completely.
Tbis. however, does not involve an unquestion-
ing submission to the dictates and nominations OF
Reform caucuses or Reform committees any more
than to those put forth by any other such bodies.
The time we hope has gone BY when men with
brains in their heads and honest hearts in their
bosoms will bndly follow the word of command
ard vote for candidates merely because they are
put up by such or such party. Especially ought
the Reform candidates to be rigidly s,rutinzed,
and if they will net stand the test, mercilessly re-
iected. |, is high time that this metropolis were
redeemed from the disgrace of being the worst
administered city in the world, and that can only
be done by eectng the most honest and capable
men to its offces. A beginning has been made
toward this end; compared with the state OF
things year since, the people of New York now
have reason for hope. Certainly no such expo
sures can be made with regard to the present City
Government as those we yesterday published con-
corning its predecessor But it is only begin
ming We are yet to have truly efficient admin
istratOn, clean streets, the enforcement of the
liquor laws, the closing of unlicensed grog-shOps,
and safety for life and person. More than this,
the Municipal officers how to be elected will have
grave and important duties connected with the
probbtory law to be passed by the next Legis-
lature. How important then, that they should
be men of energy, character and independence,
who not only owe nothing to the bar-r0om ruff
fans that decide the ordinary primary elections,
but who will steadily and resclutely do their duty
and see that the laws of the State as well as Of
the City are effectively obeyed. Such are the
men whO should be proposed for the SURFACES Of
the electors. The political parties may think
they can afford to nominate men Of another de-
scription; the Reformers cannot and we are con-
6deut " i'll not attempt it.
An excellent commencement has been made in
the Reform nomination for the Mayoralty. Mr..
DEAN not only has the qualities necessary for
the creditabe discharge of that Office, but is
widely known, and possesses in an unusual de-
gree the confidence Of the best men 10 the City.
On the Temperance question we do not know his
position but 1t will doubtless be soon publicly
ascertaned and, meanwhile, we are confident
that as far as be is concerned the laws will not
be dead letter. We shall not have from him
the repulsive spectacle of Mayor deliberately
counseiing the violation of one statute, and then
himself indicted for repeatedly violating another.
Other good and efficien. men have been proposed
for the ofiice-such as Zophsr Mills, John n.
Genin, and respected correspondent in another
column mentions several others, whom al we'll
meaning citizens might cheerfully support. But
we think no one could now combine a greater va
rety of considerations in his favor, or so to the
polls with more certainty of being elected, than
Nicholas Dean.