The sun., 1872-10-03
Alexander T. Stewart for Mayor
Shall the Voice of the People be
Heard i-The Truth OF Politics.

Public Offices are really instituted for
| the benefit of the public, and not for the
advantage of those holding them. All
statesmen admit this doctrine to he cor
rect in theory. why shall it not be APP
| piled in action, and thus be made of piuc-
| teal utility?
1t appears to us TO be almost beyond
| question that Mr. STEWART, in the Office Of
Mayor for the next two years, would rem
| der greater service to the people of this
| city than any other candidate who can be
named. Then why should he not be NOM
mated and elected; or elected, whether
nominated 10y any Convention or notY
1t saunounced that few men who con-
troll Tammany IIall-for the people have
| nothing TO do with it-have determined
upon WILLIAM BUTLER DUNCAN as their
| candidate. They have the advantage of
wcll-orCanized party machinery and many
voters have become so accustomed to sub
mission 10 partisan dictation that they may
run him in. Practically, in ordinary times,
the people have really little to do with
elections. They record, automaton-likc,
the dccrecs of II few leaders who rule the
party with dcspotic sway. There is IA
nominal freedom Of ballot. but tho elor-
tious 90 all about the same us they would
if half IA dozen men did the voting.
Take the coming municipal election rs an
Illustration. CUMMINGS. BEDFORD Will he
reelected city Judge, because thcH,rdld de-
mands it ; ana yet-we feel great pain to bee
obliged TO say tive doubt il there be one
man, lawyer or layman, except the editor
OF the Herald, in the whole city of Now
York who Consciontiously believes that
BEDFORD is 1T for the bench. But the
Herald has become tremendous power
and must be placated, or those who are
determined TO make other nominations,
not the strongest, could not carry them INTO
effect. So one unfit candidate is adopted
by Tammany in order TO tloat another
not the most buoyant.
The Herald for "A few days past has
discovered an unwontcd ability, and We
do not lay that the scheme will not sue
ceed. II has a powerful ally in the Worid,
The best written journal published in Now
York.
We do not say there is any want Of prin-
ciple in all this. On the part of the Hcrdld
it springs not from knavery but from an
exaggerated estimate OF the abilities of
Judge BEDFORD, and generous devotion
to his personal fortunes, at the sacrifice,
sometimes, OF grave public Interests;
while on the part of the Uorld We at
tribute II to IA zeal, not unconscientious,
in the attempt 10 revive the shattered
strength of Tammany.
From these causes, however, we thinl;
the interests of the people suffer. They
are kept in the background, and other in
terests are preferred to them.
We make no personal opposition what
ever to MIR. DUNCAN. From Rhode Island,
whence he spranE, to Scotland, whore hs
respected father now dispenses generous
and elegant hospitality, he is spoken OF
everywhere favoIably by all who men
ton him.
Nevertheless we do not think that Mr..
DUNCAN ought to be our next Mayor. He
might fiji the Office well; but Mr.. STEWART
would fill il far better. Mr.. DUNCAN might
make u good successor to Mr.. STEWART;
and We are quite sure that Mr.. STEWART
would set him such an example in the
office us does not exist now. and as il might
ill the measure Of any mans reasonable
ambition to follow.
so far from being hostile to Mr.. DUNCAN,
We have some feeling of pride in his good
name; we hope 10 see his fair reputation
grow and spread; and if he is public
-piritcd-as We believe him 10 be-we
would respectfully suggest to him that
there is, nt present, no other service which
he could render he city of New York, to
compare, in its value 10 the people, with
that which he would achieve by declining
the Office of Mayor in favor Of ALEXANDER
T. STEWART.