The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-21


The probable action of the Legislature, when
assembled In Albany during the coming sea-
son, gives rise In advance to great deal Of
speculation among tho masses Of our citizens,
and to vast amount of predictions among the
politicians and the "knowing ones" who
think they can read the signs of the times,
and that said signs give them the assurance Of
''good time coming" That some special, II
not radical, change is impcratively demanded
towards restoring to the citizens of New York
the right-for term Of republican ascendancy
in the State usurped from them--of self
government is admitted by republicans, as 1t
is insisted upon by democrats. There is a
wide field for change and for reform but 1t
often requires the wisest policy and the sound
est statesmanship to make the required changes
and reforms, so that they shall be as little at
variance as possible with the altered state OF
affairs which the first innovation has brought
about and with which people may have to
certain extent become habitnated and familiar.
This Is the work which the Tammany Regency
has before it. There Is always danger of a
party succeeding to power after long strug-
gle to attain it going to extremes in repeating
or multiplying what may be considered the OBJ
noxious laws Of their predecessors. This is
one Of the "amiable weaknesses" to which
political power is liable, whenever repeal or
notification presents field Of patronage to the
hands Of party with which to reward all who
most contributed to its success and triumph.
This is just the great temptation which
besets the leaders of the democratic party on
the threshold of their late victory. The
republican party which, through partisan
Legislature, 40 lately controlled all political
matters in city and State, may WELL in this
hour of their humiliation and defeat cry out
to their democratic victors 1--WE have done
those things which we ought not to have done,
and we have left undone those things which
we ought to have done, and there is no health
in u.s." The Regency will no doubt accept the
''soft Impeachment" and begin at once to undo
all tho republicans did do, and to do those
things which that party omitted to DO, and in
that way serve themselves and absolve the
others.
But the question still arises, what will really
be the action Of the democratic party in Legis-
laturc assembled There Is little doubt but
political programme has been decided upon
in the conferences lately held in tho Execu-
tive Mansion at Albany. Whatever that pro-
gramme may be one thing can be fairly
counted upon-that is, that all the republican
boards to whom late legislation has appor-
toned special municipal duties will not be
of some of those boards deserve the thanks of
the community at large for the efficient and
faithful manner in which they have, up to the
present time, discharged their duties Among
these may be enumerated the Central Park
Commission, the Comptroller and superin-
tendent Of which, Mr.. Greene, has rendered
invaluable services to the citizens at large in
the adornment of the Park the Commits
sioners of Charities and Correction and the
Fire Department. Other boards, such as the
Board of Police Commissioners, Croton Aque-
duct Board, Boards of Excise, Health, &C.,
while they may be permitted to stand as
monuments Of republican rule, will, however,
like some ancient churches, be reconsecrated
to democratic uses.
The Tammany Regency, while they have the
power, ought to reconstruct the whole city
government And in this work, should they I'M
dertake il in the right spirit, they will have the
encouragement and support of all good citizens.
Centralze the municipal government, give the
right to the Chief Magistrate-the Mayor Of
the city-to appoint to all Offices under him
not directly elective by the people, make the
incumbents Of these offices responsible to him
for an efficient and honest discharge of their
duties, and he himself--the Chief Magistrate
responsible to the citizens at large. This is
the only way to insure an efficient and faithful
discharge of municipal government and just
to the extent an honest purpose in this regard
is carried out will the people believe in the
efficacy and benefit Of change in party rule.
There should be one departure consented to,
and no doubt 1t will be, from the old demo-
cratic usage In regard to municipal affairs
that Is, withholding from the Board of Alder
men all participation with the Mayor in the
power Of appointment. Enough relating to
the composition of tho Boards of Aldermen
and Assistant Aldermen is known, and moro
than enough Of the way in which they have
been elected and of the manner in which they
have already entered upon their duties, to
deter the citizens from entrusting any Of the
rights which they can withhold TO the hands
of these men. In tho good days coming Of
restored seif-government, and when the people
shall have recovered from the efforts of shaking
of the incubus of partisan rule under which
they so long groaned, they will be better pre-
pared to assist the leaders of parties in purify
ing the official rank and file and graduating
therefrom the political fungi that to-day 80