Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-04
rHENEW REeIME.

fHf' THE NEW REGIME.
1t may be that the name we use, belongs
more property to an empire than to munich
pality, and rather suggests the idea Of reign
than of local administration. But among all
the subdivisions of power, and apportionments
of authority, there is none which affects soci-
ETY. with deeper and more profound concern,
than that which we are accustomed to repose
in the officers of our towns and cities. Inthe
trusts which they are selected to execute, they
are above Governors and Presidents. They
turn the destinies of their localities toward
virtue or vice, toward prosperity or disaster,
by the authority with which they are clothed.
In this sense there is no more significant desig-
nation Of the new attitude of our public affairs
than the one we have chosen to use. ~
The difference in the character of comnlu-
mites, is governed by the predictions of their
rulers. Is it any wonder that there is a moral
Sahara, wherever stealing is regarded as an
official virtue, and where City Governments
are an appropriate field for the investigations
of the Grand Jury2 Is the moral degradation
of cities remarkable, where gamblers intrigue
their way into official position, and street
loafers are taken up for Aldermen and school
committees? The best officers are, at once, the
test and the security of the virtue of the COM
munities, over which they preside To secure
such men, in the home field of the public ser
vice, by whatever name they may have been
called, is a matter of sincere and wellfounded
congratulation. In the light of these views,
we cannot well see how any prudent and can
did man can regard the prospects Of our city,
under the auspices which now surround us,
without feelings of the iveliest satisfaction.
The Inaugural Address OF Mayor Bullock,
which we publish this morning, has been al
ready heard, and approved, by many of his
fellow citizens. twill be read, we think, with
equal appreciation, and candor. Its state
ments of the material interests of the city, are
clear and concise. Its recommendations,
whether of improvement, or economy, are
pertinent and valuable. Its treatment of those
moral questions, in which the public are SO
justly interested, is direct and manly. And,
as whole, it is worthy of its accomplished
author, and of the intelligent constituency,
now embracing the whole city, which he rep
resents.
The recommendations, relative to the reduc-
ton, and Ultimate extinction of the city debt
will be generally approved. The same reas-
ons which might be given against contracting
debt when no public necessity demanded it,
are urgent against continuing debt, when we
hou omrla ,,,oopc 4or roJ,o4;o.
On the character of the police, and the re-
sponsibility which attaches to their Office the
sentiments of the address are of the most hon
orable character and indicate determine
ton to make that department more efficient
instrumentality for the suppression of crime
If anincreased salary is essential to secure the
largest experience and the best talent atits head,
we think the citizens of Worcester will not be
disposedto let any slight consideration stand in
the.way. Certainly, if it is desirable that the
new government should enter on its duties
without embarrassment; if fair trial is need
ed for the execution of the excellent policy
which is outlined in the forms of its inaugural
ton, there can be none so narrow minded or
so hostile as to throw in its way miserable
and parsimonious complaint about the expense;
not, at least till it exceeds that reasonable
limit, at which the demand for executive vigil
lance and fidelity becomes subordinate to the
demand for municipal economy.
The mayor states his views on the admins
tration of the laws frankly, and without con-
cealment or equivocation. The question, by
which officers and citizens of all professions
have been troubled heretofore, he meets in a
direct and fearless manner 1t is known what
agencies he approves, and what agencies he
condemns. The object of his care is, to Sc
cure the results desired by all good citizens,
through the fundamentally which the law
affords. Let us hope that his efforts will be
met by that cordial support and generous CON
fidence, on. the part of his felow-citizens,
without which the best of communities are
likely to be disappointed, and the best of gov
ernmelts, to fail tEF