The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-25
The Contest for Mayor-Tho Mixing
Up or Candidates and Parties.

meeting, small in numbers and respectable
the night before last, to inaugurate so-called
peoples reform movement for the approach
ing municipal election. The citizens who
were present and took part in the proceedings
are, of course, as much at liberty to express
their views of candidates and parties as would
be any other equal number of equally
reputable men, but how far they can claim to
represent the people of the metropolis who are
in favor of reform is questionable. We recog-
nize among the names many of those who
last election, did their best to OBJ
struct the practical success of the re-
form movement and were swept out
of sight with the Questionable men to whom
they were opposed, and who, after election,
by their impracticable notions and unfortunate
obstinacy in regard to city charter, embar-
raised the action Of the Legislature and gave
an excuse to the dishonest representatives to
rob the people of the fruits of their victory at
the polls. We do not believe the people will
be willing to place the management of re-
form movement this year in the same hands,
or will be anxious to follow where some of
those who sought position by attaching them
selves to the old Committee of Seventy might
desire to lead. The idea of making reform
party political tender to any organization is
now effectually exploded. 1t lost it's power in
the unblushing corruption and rascality of the
reform Legislature at Albany last Winter,
elected under such auspices. Besides, the po-
sition of parties is no longer as it was last
year. The democratic corruptionists have been
dethroned, and are now seeking political asso-
ciation among those who will ''treat them
best" Tammany Hall is regenerated, with the
most prominent reform champions at its head,
and the people may expect good nominations
from either political party. All now are
equally interested in putting forth unexcep-
tionable candidates, for all parties know that
a bad nomination would be certain destruc-
ton. A peoples movement may do much
good in Assembly districts, not in New York
alone, but all over the State; but to be efec-
tive it must be wholly independent of party,
and must abstain from taking any position in
favor either of republicans or democrats for
any State or municipal office, pro-
vided equally good nominations are
made on both sides. The State tickets
are already in the field, and, fortunately, both
have been carefully chosen, so that whichever
may be successful the people will secure honest
State officers. The old Committee of Seventy
which mainly did its duty so ably with Colonel
Stcbbins at it's head and Messrs. Tilden,
OConor, Schel and others working with it,
is now disbanded and if the republican and
e.. ,I.o Lotl
be acceptable its revival will be unnecessary,
so far as the charter election is concerned. At
the same time, as we have said, really indie
pendent movement in the Assembly districts
throughout the State would, no doubt,
be productive of good; but its
first act should be denunciation
of the notorious republican Legislature of last
Winter, and pledge to oppose the reelection
of every Assemblyman who was elected last
year, with probably half dozen exceptions.
If the political parties should be insane
enough to put forward Objectionable candi-
dates for Mayor there would, indeed, be oc-
casion for reform movement, and the people
would not be slow to make it but they
would be especially careful to keep it out of
the hands Of professional politicians The
probability, however, favors good nominations
on both sides. Dl.
1t is true that the contest for the Mayoralty
is curious one and presents both in the
prominent candidates and their positions,
some very singular features Its muddled
and uncertain condition may be judged from
the excitement occasioned by the editorial
remarks upon the probable nominees made in
the HERALD of last Saturday The suggestion
of Mr. Charles A. Dana's name for that Office
was received with mixed feelings of surprise,
satisfaction and dismay among the politicians
of surprise on the part of many who aspire to
the nomination themselves, and of others
who had overlooked him in their diligent
search after candidates Of satisfaction by
citizens who have respect for intellect as
well as for honesty; Of dismay among
the political opponents of Mr.. Dana,
who have felt the sting of his sharp pen and
experienced the damage ng effects of his untir-
ing energy Yet there as no more cause for
establishment at the mention of Mr.. Dana in
connection with the Office of Mayor than at
the suggestion of Mr.. Oswald Ottendorfer for
the same position. Both are managers Of in
Auential journals, and this is peculiarly the
year of good fortune for editors, so far, OF
least, as nominations ore concerned, begin
ming with the two we'll known members of the
profession, Horace Greeley and B. Gratz
Brown We have our own opinion in regard
to the political aspirations of journalists, and
are inclined to believe that it would be wis
dom on their part to eschew such glittering and
delusive prizes. Indep endence is more valua-
BILE to them than official power, and devotion
to successful newspaper must always be more
profitable than the richest Office in the gift Of