The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-22
CITY POLITICS.
Will There Be an Election Next Month !-The
tioned-veto or No veto-Forty-six
MayorsThe Political 0rgani-
zations-The Mayoralty.

The prospect Of an exciting election next month
by the citizens Of Mayor and board of forty-fve
Aldermen, as intended to be provided for by the
Seventy charter, is fading In the distance. The
preparations and aspirations of all who calculated
to enter the field as candidates for Office under the
new measure have received an unexpected check;
while, on the other hand, the gentlemen at present
holding prominent positions In the city govern
ment, and whom the charter was to have guio-
tined, have good reason TO calculate on continuance
in office. The generally accepted opinion that the
charter Of the seventy is unconstitutional in more
than one Of its principal provisions, and may in
fact, be vetoed by the CO. -rnor, has cooled the
dor Of party leaders, and would-bc candidates are
keeping as shady as possible under this unexpected
change OF affairs.
The question is not now just much what
the Governor will do with this misshapen bantling
OF reform legslationlor it is almost universally
coded that he must veto t-bu what action Will the
Legislature take consequent thereon. The prevalent
opinion on this point is that the veto will be the
death of the charter. The days of its parturition
in the Legislature were so protracted and painful
and members were so delighted and relieved at
delivery from it that, veto or veto, they won't
be troubled with it again. There is no time now
between this and the close of the season to heal the
radical defects Of the measure, so that the vetof
ernOr-wn be the doom OF the reform charter OF
which so much has been expected and which has
miserabIy failed in results.
THE CoNsrITUTIoNALITY OF THE CHARTER
will be subjected, however, to another test should
the Governor not veto 1t, or should it be passed
over his veto. The present heads OF departments
are not going to be unconstitutionally legislated
out of rich oflces If they can hold on to them e-
gaIy. They are determined II pushed from their
stools to take the charter into the Courts and test
its constitutionality there. There Is high legal
thorty TO encourage them In their resolve, and OF
course plenty of lawyers to take the case in hand.
From all appearances, therefore, there is little
chance OF spring election under the new charter,
every prospect that the present heads OF depart
uary next, and no earthly probability that the half
dozen or so spoken-of candidates for Mayor will
have an opportunity Of yentatng their claims to
be said that II is not one but
FORTY-sTx MAYORS
that would have to be elected under the Seventy's
charter, inasmuch as the forty-nve members COM
prsing the Board of Aldermen have also, with the
Mayor proper, extensive powersin the appointment
ignores the first great principle Of popular govern
ment responsibility in the chief executive officer Of
the city. The powers conferred upon the Board Of
Aldermen as to appointments and removals from
office are most unusual innovations, and stamp
the charter Us q very Objectionable and bungling
THE POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS
had entered upon the work of the canvass, so far
proposing for the holding Of primaries for the nomi-
nation of candidates for Aldermen, but nothing de-
finite could be done till after the passage OF the
charter Now the measure is Itself in such jeopardy
that all political movements are at standstill, and
speculation upon what was to come would be waste
of time. What will he the action Of the Governor
ticians though, as before stated, the general i'm
preston Is that election will be held this spring
and that things must go on under the present char
ter until another Legislature meets With regard TO
TIE MAY0RALTY.
1t may be stated that the candidates for that
office were exertng all their influences, inside and
outside OF party lines In urtherance OF individual
self. There are more than half a dozen OF these
Richmonds In the field. Ex-sherr and ex.Member
OF Congress John Kelly was spoken of In connection
with the Tammany interest. and his name was gen.
orally favorably received. Ex-Mayor Havemeyer,
again upon himself the labcrs of a chief
magistrate Sammy Tiden looks for his
IN by f he y wSy IF reform ng1n to m
communion with St. Tammany, though he still
worships occasionally at the shrine Of Apollo, in
the temple Of thu reform democracy. Senator
OBricn, who recently sent an antc-datcd rcsgna.
ton to the President Of the Senate, hut which he
has since Withdrawn. has been for some time work
ing the oracle among his friends aud supporters
and the leading men OF all parties in fItherance of
his aspirations after the Executive chair Of the
city. Then comes another Richmond on the field in
the person OF william II. Wickham, chairman OF one
OF the city reform general committees. A. r. Law
renee comes next on the list. Mr. Lawrence has
been one OF the most active and zcalons laborcrs
in the work of city reform, and has contributed q
great deal to the success OF which attended that
movement. lie is, however opposed on consttu-
tional grounds to the Seventy's charter, and In
conjunction with Henry L. Clinton, has drawn up
and submitted an opinion 20 tho Governor on
the ilegaity OF cumulative voting pro-
vded for by that instrument. The nainc OF
u. g.: stebbins, formerly Chairman OF the
Treasurer of the Department Of Public Parks, is
prominently spoken of in reform circles.
The probabilities, however are that the gentle
men will have to possess their souls with what
patience they can command until the fall, when the
regular election OF Mayor In the usual manner OF
voting, Will most likely take place. In the mean
TIME II is as well that the citizens should know be-
lorehand the men who aspire, through their sur
irages, to I'll the highest Office In the city.