The New York herald., 1871-11-08
Resiguation Of Park Commissioners swceny-
New Deal In Tammany.

Resiguation Of Park Conmlssionor swceny-
New Deal In Tammauy.
Peter B. Sweeny has resigned his Office as
Commissioner of Public Parks and expresses
in his letter to Mayor Hall, published in the
HERALD to-day, his intention to retire entirely
from public life, and henceforth to confine his
connection with political affairs to the single
duty Of voting. Mr.. Sweeny has been an
active and useful member Of the department
over which he has presided, and to him the
people are especially indebted for the great
improvements made in the city parks, and for
those comprehensive plans for the develop
ment Of the upper part Of the island and Of
Westchester county which have already added
50 largely to the value Of city and suburban
property. So far as his public services are
concerned his record Is untarnished, and his
retirement will be loss to the citizens Of New
York. Butin openly Withdrawing from politi-
cal life Mr.. Sweeny does an act which
will be Of inestimable benefit to the party
whose principles he upholds. It will neces-
state new deal in Tammany. With Peter
B. Sweeny's abdication must come the fall of
the present dynasty in the old Wigwam and
the accession to power Of new men. If the
succession be wisely chosen; If the leaders
who are to step into the places of the admins
traitors Of the old War Horse, Elijah Purdy,
shall be reputable and honorable citizens, as
well as men Of brains, Tammany may yet
emerge from the darkness that has recently
settled upon her and shine forth in her old
glory and power.
The example set by Park Commissioner
Sweeny should be promptly followed by Tweed.
The Commissioner of Public Works should in
like manner withdraw at once from his posi-
ton In the municipal government and from
political life. He has received the endorse
meht Of his district in the Senatorial election,
and he should be satisfied to retire on his
laurels, su0h as they are. He can hardly
be solicited to refuse the Senatorship, for
the constituency that could make mp
its mind to cast an enormous majority for such
candidate should certainly enjoy the honor
of being represented by him in the State Leg
islature. But he should resign his municipal
Office into the hands of Mayor Hall and lay
the sceptre of the Grand Sachem at the feet of
his brothers of the Council. He cannot retire
as Sweeny does, with honor and credit, but
he can retire with large amount Of ready
cash. He should, therefore, stand not upon
the order of going, but 60 at once. Mayor
Hall will then be master Of the situation, and
by the choice he may make Of the successors
of Sweeny and Tweed he can control the re-
organization of the Tammany Society. Let
him choose the right men, and there will be
no difficulty In reuniting the now shattered
and broken democracy of New York. That
being accomplished, and thoroughly honest
candidates being put forward for Office in the
spring municipal election, there will be an end
to the corrupt trading policy Of cliques and
factions, and the purified democratic party
win retain that position in the city govern
ment which from their numerical majority
they have right to claim.