The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-30
Tie Charter Eloction--A Splendid Oppor
tunisy for Municipal Reform.

TIE Charter Eleetion-A Splendid Oppor-
tuuify for sTunicsrnI Reform.
The charter election takes place in this
city Tomorrow, when the people will go
through the form of choosing A. Oakley Hall
their Mayor for the unexpired term, and of
bestowing upon the patriotic Richard O'Gor-
man the honors and enoluments OF the Cor
poration Counsers Office for another shree
years. Afaer much consideration and discus
sion the outside democratic organizations have
united with Tammany upon these two candi-
dates, who will therefore walk over the course.
The republicans have made nomination for
Mayor, but, as their own organs stats, it is
merely with the object of keeping their forces
within the limits of their own party lines, and
without any serious idea Of contrasting the
election with the democracy. An attempt was
| made to get up combination Of republicanism
and all outside factions against Tammany, but
the heart of the people was not in such a
| movement, and il fell dead. This was partly
owing to the difficulty Of finding desirable in
dependent candidate upon whom to unite. but
mainly to the satisfactory character of the
Tammany nominations. District Attorney
the people of New York, irrespective of party,
and will make an efficient brilliant and popu-
lar Mayor.
Under these circumstances the best thing
the republican nominee can do for the interests
of tue city and Of his party is to withdraw from
/. l.
for Oakley Hall and to make his election
unanimous. For the past eight or ten years
we have been without an efficient munich
pal government in New York. There
has been division 0f power and re-
sponsibility entirely inconsistent with the
idea of strong and vigorous government.
Some departments have been placed under the
control of State commissions made by law in
dependent of the municipal authorities, while
others have remained In the hands Of officers
elected by the people of the city, and hence
there has been no direct responsibility in any
quarter The natural results Of this disjointed
and inharmonious system have been increased
expenditures and taxation, without any ade-
quate public advantages. If extravaganza and
corruption have prevailed it has been imposs-
BILE to hold any individual officer answerable
for the evils, and all the efforts Of partisan
journals have failed to persuade tho people
that the responsibility for our twenty-four
million dollars ANIMAL taxation rests upon the
shoulders OF u Chief Magistrate whose powers
have been crippled by State laws, and who is
cd n Oh ~ fh,
important departments of the municipal gov
eminent.
The city Of New York is now an empire
within herself She has over million OF In
habItants, besides half million in her suburbs
vino are the same as her own population. The
greater portion OF the nations wealth Is
gathered in her lap, aud she is rapidly becom-
ing the centre oi the world In commerce
and In news, rs she is already the great
commercial centre and settling house of
the American Continent. She needs strong.
harmonious and responsible government, and
now ia the time TO secure IT, Some OF The
Legislative commissions in the city are good
enough and have been an advantage to tbe
people: but with them and over them all we
should have one recognized municipal head,
holding power directly from the people and
responsible directly to the people for the faith
fn and homes. discharge of his trust. We
have frequently discussed the details oil such
system. aud it WAS expected that the Constitu-
tional Convention which met year and
hall ngo would have given us in the revised
organic law some sucb well considered plan Of
reform In our municipal government. These
hopes were disappointed. aud the people of
New York have since shown Ia unmistakablo
majorities their condemnation OF the mixed
aud nladdcd legislation forced upon the city
by republican Legislatures for partisan pur-
poses. Let the republican party now take
new departure, commencing with the with
drawai OF their candidate for Mayor aud
ending with the revision of all laws relating 10
the city Of New York and the passage of an
amended charter which shall secure 20 the
metropolis vigorous, efficient, centralized and
responsible municipal government. Oakley
Hall is independent as . politician. and pos
sesses irmness Of purpose, strength OF will
and integrity OF character. lie would use
power with discretion, and would be just the
man to inausnrate the new system. At the
sane time, the republican party by such
policy would succeed In cfectually breaking
down the enormous democratic maoriiies 10
this city which are bnls up upon the peoples
Jealousy Of their municipal rights. The re-
publican candidate for Mayor should imme-
diateiy execute this great coup d'Gtaf by pub
Iic'y withdrawing from hopeless contest, and
advising all his party to unite on Oakley Hall
for Mayor on che basis Of restoration Of the
| rights Of The electors OF The city and the