The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-26

OF Honest Reformers-How to Secure
Good Government.
The Committee of Seventy was called into
existence last year by the unfaithful and
fraudulent action of the men then holding
possession Of the city government It was
the body delegated by the people to represent
them in an effort to secure reform in the NUM-
cipal administration; to unearth, expose and
assist in punishing the lawless acts Of the COR
rupt officials; to devise laws for the better
protection Of the city treasury, and to Co
operate with any political party viking to
nominate capable and honest candidates for
public Offices. When the committee was
was under the control of the old municipal
ring" from whom no acceptable nomina-
tons could be expected; hence the reformers
could look only to the republicans and the
honest masses of the democratic party for
combination that would be likely to succeed
OF the polls. The republicans were of course,
interested in the overthrow of Tammany, and
were thus certain to enlist on the side
of reform. Fortunately, q brave number
of leading democrats and an irresistible array
Of the rank and file of that party were ready
to repudiate the misdeeds of their associates
and to unite in the movement to drive them
from power Thus the victory was won, and
at the close Of the election of last November
the strongest and most INSCRIPTIONS political
combination ever made in the United States
was found to have been broken into pieces and
scattered to the winds. The hurricane of
popular indignation had broken over it and
swept it out of existence But pending the
Seventy made an effort to enter the field as a
nominating convention, and by insisting upon
putting forward candidates of their own selec-
ton for certain Offices endangered the COM
pleteness Of the reform success
There is some prospect that the same mis-
take may be made in the present election by a
portion of those participants in the movement
of last year who are now proposing to revive
the Committee of Seventy and to set it again
in motion These gentlemen may be faithful
enough in their professions Of friendship for
the cause Of reform, but they scarcely appear
to understand their own legitimate position
and duties. Their authority to speak for the
people may we'll be questioned. No doubt the
honest voters of the city would be willing to
endorse any organized movement that might
promise to be effective in securing good gov
eminent; but they will not forget that in the
excitement of the reform cry year ago they
were induced to elect Legislature that de-
graded the cause of reform and scandalized
the State by its notorious corruption. If "the
peoples Executive Committee of Municipal
Reform" as the gentlemen who met at the
Cooper Institute on Tuesday last have desig-
mated themselves, will use their influence on
the political organizations to induce or force
them to make thoroughly good and reliable
nominations for all Offices Of public trust they
will accomplish desirable work and excite
no suspicion as to the unselfshness of their
motives. But when they instruct committee
of their own choosing, however respectfully
composed, to ''select and put in nomination
for the suffrages of the people" such
candidates as may suit their own
purposes they wander outside their legitimate
duties and endanger the cause they profess to
uphold. The object of an Independent re-
form movement is to compel the political
parties which have system and influence at
their command to nominate citizens of estab-
lished worth, integrity and capacity for Office,
so that the election of such candidates may be
insured. If such men are put in nomina-
ton on both sides there is no further need of
On independent reform movement its occupa-
ton is gone. If the candidates on one side
are acceptable and on the other side objection
able, then it is the province Of q reform
party to labor for the success of the honest
men without regard to political considerations.
Should all political organizations be reckless
and silly enough to offer unworthy names to
the electors it is the right of the people to
move in the matter, and by Convention of
their own calling to select their own candi-
dates If one self-constituted committee can
undertake to usurp this popular privilege
another can do the same thing, and thus the
work of reform would be weakened, and prob
ably defeated, to the advantage of corrupt
politicians
An honest and earnest reform movement
labors simply for the success of thoroughly re-
liable, upright and competent candidates, in
dependent of all considerations save the
publication of the government. To be sincere
in such cause the citizen must satisfy him
self that an honest administration of the
affairs of State or municipality is superior
to oil political objects, and must hence be
prepared to support a political opponent, if
necessary, in vindication of this principle.
But it is prudent and wise to seek the aid and
cooperation Of the strongest political organiza-
ton in the good work, for the reason that
success is thus assured, while. when reform is
driven to an Independent movement, the re-
suit must be at best uncertain. In State
or city where the republican party is