The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-24
Greuiug telegraph
MONDAY, APRIL "a, 1871.
THE FALL KLEOTIOM

LLb ~ ALL hLHOLLOH.
AMONG the officers to be elected by the citi-
zens of Philadelphia in October are two of
her most important municipal oficials-the
Mayor and District Attorney; and the politi-
clans have been busy for months in making
Arrangements to control the conventions
which will nominate the Republican and De-
mocratic candidates for these positions.
Three years ago the present incumbents OBJ
tanned considerably larger vote than their
associates on the Democratic ticket, and
they owe their election to their per-
sonsl popularity. AS they will probably
be renominated, the Republicans, if they
desire to be successful, should profit by the
lesson of the last campaign, and make nomi-
nations which will command not only the full
party strength, but win votes from the op-
posing organization, and thus make assurance
doubly sure.
The Mayor of Philadelphia is not en-
dowed with as much control over her
municipal affairs as is, in some
respects, desirable, but he is nevertheless
entrusted with many responsible duties, and
it is highly important that he should possess
excellent administrative abilities, an un-
blemished character, unimpeachable in
tegrity, earnest devotion to the interests of
the city, and thorough comprehension of
the workings of her complicated system of
government. A Mayor gifted with strong
personal influence could often render great
service by his recommendations in matters
which he cannot fully control; while in
the important department which is par
ticularly under his exclusive control, the
police, he can render immense service by
skilful and faithful attention to his duties
or do great deal of injury by selecting in
efficient officers and by tolerating their de-
linquencies. 1t would be no easy task to
select from the Republicans of Philadelphia
a man who, above all others, would be singu-
larly well fitted for the arduous and in some
respects peculiar duties of Mayor of this city,
but the best efforts of the party should be
made to ensure such selection, and cand-
date should be chosen in whom the city as
well as the party could justly impose implicit
confidence.
The Office of District Attorney is scarcely
less important. In some respects it is even
more important than that of Mayor. Every
thing relating to the administration of the
criminal law depends, in a large measure,
upon him. lfAe IS tainted aoim corruption,
or closety affiliated aOiM any class Of eoI doers
he can give broad license to crime, and per-
NIT his favorites to go unpunished, despite
their commission of many glaring offenses.
In one sense justice should be blind, but this
is only as between man and man,
and not in the bad sense which would prompt
an official chosen to institute criminal pro-
oeedings to wink at any class of dangerous or
outrageous offenses. The Republican party
should be very careful to avoid the nomina-
tion of candidate who, from any reason
would be indisposed to discharge his full
duty without 'fear, favor, or affection" No
sort of entGmgling alliances 6etaOeen district
att0rnieS and any c'ozs Of criminals should be
tolerated or c0lratenGnced. Every good citizen
comprehends the importance of keeping the
courts pure, and as an indispensable step
towards this end it is essential that the prose-
cutting officer who represents the sword of
justice should be above suspicion and beyond
reproach; that he should, in short, be as wise
as q serpent yet as innocent as dove.