The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-03
MAYoR WOODS REPLY.

MAYORS OFFICE, NEW YORK, sept. 1, 1906.
GESrEsES-n would be ancctation in me to say that
deeply impressed by your communication of the
18th instant.
The approval or my course In this Office, by the class OF
citizens you represent and who have large interest
N It's proper administration and who entirely
peten form enlightened Judgment OF the conduct Of
public officer is a compliment which cannot fail to be
appreciated by me. You right In supposing that
80 far as / have had the power l have endea-
vorcd to discharge my whole duty; but l am sure,
gentlemen, that yourselves and the great public know
little OF the distractions which have been placed in my
way by those who should have supported me- and Of the
trials hndrances and constant interference with the few
prerogaves e to the Office, which have encountered me
at every step.
When was inducted into Office set myself to wor
IN good earnest to reform the nnumcrable abuses whc
had so long afflicted . community. The publ :
houses for the sale OF liquor closed by my order
solcta1on the sabbath but the action OF the lie
slature, which in eject repealed the laws that assist
ed In cit ciing this REFORM threw their DORIS ope
again TO Cend the religious and moral sense OF the peo
ple the streets freed OF night walking prostitutes
who by my direction taken up AMI conmtted bu'
the hobos corpus appliance was resorted TO- and they
were again sent at large 10 outrage i, cecency
broken and their propretors arrested and
tndcted-he extent Of my means OF suppressng this hor
be ev but from causes not proper TO be discussed IN
shis CONN cation punishment meed out has been
insufficient eradicate the practice. Rowdyism and bull
lynm were promptly erappled with but the perpe.
traitors being in many cases dismissed with
reprimand, and insufficient punishment inflicted
in other cases, little has been accomplished 10 this
important reform The police have reported
ali cases OF violation OF Corporation ordinances but those
whose duty Is TO prosecute and ceiend on behalf OF the
cy in the civil have prevented any great degree
o. siciency in lcssening this common evil Prominent
1cas char ged with corruption, have been indicted aud
tried bu, the ures shrank from the responsibility OF con
victons Earnest and deteru ned Efforts made to
induce the Executive Departments to recognize IN this
office at least supervising head, but with two
three exceptions they have not only refused 70 20 re-
coenzc IT, but have arrayed themselves In violent per-
soma and Official hostility 10 the incu nbent OF ths oise
Almost nnumerable recommendations have been made
by to he Common Council, which have covered every
department Of city government showing how most o
the present evils could be reedied and urgent requests
made OF those bodies 10 iegslte for the public good 70
ethng for the amcoaon othe burdens OF he tax
payers and keeping with the present wants and future
ereainess this metropolis but so far from these re-
commendalons receiving enforcement and approval,
they have not, except In two or three instances been
eycn taken up and considered much less ated upon
adopted Foreign criminals aud paupers were denied
admiitancc 10 our port, and, In oee case toar o.
then we're by my orders returned 70 their native
rountry a. the expense OF, and by the vessel
which brought them; bu, the decision Of Judge
of The supreme Court that hal right TO hold or de-
Tain such people, nor even to send them back has nuli-
led my eSertions in this direction.
Thee and other reforms have been attempted By
Fne, bu, which the powers Of my office have ave
been bv the moral power OF this station,
pnd the perseverance, energy and will which
he Almighty has planted in my nature that
accomplished sthing, than by virtue OF the legal
AUTHORITY vested In the Ma, orally. And this moral
power has been much cssened by the deserton OF one
orticn OF the public press, the opposition OF another
portion and the apparent Indifference Of those for whose
welfare am battling against crime aDc disorder
Therefore. gentlemen need you be surprised that
have expressed desire TO retire from office 10 which
could 90 little good, and in which am wearing
nyse on, in constant, areuous but thankless and un
profitable labor -
Iaaree with you that had the bill TO amend the city
hch passed the senate at It's last session, been
oncurrea 10 by the Assembly, large additional powers
would have been granted 10 me; and ir the next Le
Eisla,urc viii as you suppose. take up and
dop, that or any similar proposition, the principal
bbisctions I have TO continuance in Office
vould be removed. With sufficient legal authority
carry out the reforms which have initiated in the 90
ernment OF the city. would rather be its chief magis
rate than hold any other oce in the state; but as
a. I have no wish 10 remain so ano her day.
The appeal, however you now make, em,naung ~
oes almost entirely from those who opposed my eleva
hon and whose intelligence and character give so much
ueeh 20 their opinions and wishes upon public questions
Whilst II con oIes FIR past sacrifices, impes me to
resh exor,l,ns in the path Of duty, AMI hence /
I'm not prepared 10 say that can disregard your
wishes 20 become again a candidate for Mayor.
Encouraged by your belief that the Legislature will, a.
next session. amend the charter, az Indicated, AMI
heered by your atterng assurance that you deem my
eryces az value 10 this community, II again placed In
DOMINATION shall accept your invitation, and present
nv name once more FOR the sufrages OF the people
Cery respectfully your opedient servant, -
Messrs Moses Taylor, VIM y. Astor Brown Brothers
70, Goodhue Co., and others.