New-York tribune., 1873-01-16
BOSToN,S CITY GOVBRNMENT

TUE crrYzpys, TICKET sUCCEssFUL-THE MAYOR
AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
,vpoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBUNBi
RosroN. Ian. S.-The new Municipal Gov
ernmept of the city OF Boston inaugurated on Mon
day 1t is supposed to be one Of tho best that the eS
has bad for several years. 1t ia certainly entitled to
tbi distinction as its Mayor and Board OF Alder
men are concerned Boston has almost always mad GOOD
mayors that is to say they have almost invariably been
,pteigent upright and respected citizens. There has
been no exception this rule since the beginning of the
tate war; ut auy rate But they have not been generally
energetic and powerful The citizens have shown
dsnclination this class and In two conspicuous in
stances they have defeated candidates belonging it.
They have desired rather, that the Mayors should be
agreeable personally, and unaggressi ye in empera
ment Politics have been disregarded at city elections
10 great extent we have had Democratic Mayors here
for the last ve years. and nearly all that time the city
has been largely Republican. The bad management of
Republican leaders has had something to do with this,
Is not the only element responsible for Its exist
cnce Personal interest and personal aims have
come the claims OF party upon men. Boston
has never had anything like the corruption
in its city affairs that New-York has
experienced; she has seldom had any really obvious
corruption at a she has only been exravagant ocea
sionally; and, without being extravagant, there
necessary expenses here that offer great temptations TO
those concerned in the outlay they occasion 1t
has been with a view to this that combinations have
been formed to influence elections The patronage OF
the city, through its appointments or through It's DIS
bursements has united in ties stronger than the
Of party Tho peRdtures OF the city are greater
each year than are those Of the State of
Massachusetts This fact has brought out a class
OF local ward politicians, who lake little interest In State
general elections but who are very active IN the
city contests They have generally elected our City
Governments They have gwen us Democrats Tor
Mayors OF late-mOderate men, they gave us moder
ate Republicans beiOreand they have generally ch oseh
majority OF Republicans to the Board of Aldermen and
Common Council This is all nominal to great degree,
however The Democratic Mayors have appointed more
Republicans than Democrats 10 Office and the hepuDn-
can City Council has often elected Democrats over men
Of their own party to desirable positions.
Mr. Henry L. Pierce is "a gentleman about so years OF
age, successful business man. deriving large income
from manufacture OF chocolate His residence ls IN
Ward Sixteen formerly the Town of Dorchester, which
incorporated with Boston about three years ago
His predecessor lived III RoxDury whoh Wds Joneu 70
Boston years earlier The older portion OF the
city is at discount IN giving US public officials OF late
Mayor Pierce Is an able, popular ana ilDeraI-lhuou
gentleman. He was one of the original members
Of the Free-soh party OF the state, was was @j aG
nOrlty here and has always had the intimate friend
ship and confidence OF Senator sumner, Henry VIII
son. Frank " Bird and others who were us leaders and
who have since been - prominent m tne hgpuD,,lcan
lations have been and are very oorull he Iealg ~ ~
lOnged in the Greeley movement last year. and probably
]
the Republican party. In the early part OF the point
ieal campaign lac absent an Europe. He returned
early in the Autumn 10 lind his name connected WIN tne
nomination fOr Congress IN the ild District The Hon
william Whiting very strong man, defeated nm ID tne
Republican nominating conyentl0ni Dut so malEe1
fairness and NberalIty, that even then he
would probably have had the Liberal nom
nation had his OF honor allowed him 10 accept III
against candidate by whom he had been fairly beaten
He is the last 70 share in the partisan narrowness
which wars upon Mr.. sumner, or those That were WIN
hiD the liberal His refusal 10 accept the
nomination Of the Republican municipal convention was
characteristic Of his temper Of mind upon TINS point
Mr.. Pierce will make excellent Mayor. lie Is stuul-
ous and thoughtful topics outside the routine of
orator ne was frequent forcible, and influential De
batter In selecting rom the younger class OF cltiZens
choice for the Mayors office could not nave been
made. -,
The Board OF Aldermen has several of excellent
practical ability III It's body. IneSe are mostly
merchants. and large portion of them are among
the heavy taxpayers. Scarcely one may be said 10
belong 70 the class which the Republican convention
manipulated for the purpose OF putting IN ONCE
and those who schemed through the Democracy were
s. NJ Quincy, a grandson of Josiah Quincy, the great
Mayor Boston and OF the present Josiah Quincy
who also very ably filled the same Office Is
elected 10 the present Board OF Aldermen, ana Is
only lawyer in that body. The Common Council. III
is feared somewhat less satisfactorily made up The
ward politicians had more their way in nominating ana
electing this body II is the place in which men aspire
their prentice hand in politics. ana this practice,
together or those who interested 10
get into Council for its supposed opportunities or
patronage makes II unsafe 20 predict entirely ayoraby
with regard to Some of the wards, however nave
chosen frStrate men, without regard 10 party. Jhe
Council elected excellent gentleman for ts President
when organized, which is an encouraging symptom