The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-05
Tho COmmOtion Among the City Foii.
ticians.

The Commotion Among the City eoii-
ticians.
The HERALD as an independent journal
cares nothing for factions or politicians, and
as a newspaper is bound to lay before its
readers the fullest and most reliable informa-
ton on all subjects, from politics to religion,
no matter what party or what creed may be
affected by the disclosures AS consequence
it frequently occurs that the developments
made in our columns have all the effect Of the
explosion of a bombshell in the camps of
the rival political armies, and men are seen
running hither and thither, seeking this or
that shelter to escape the damaging effect of
the flying splinters. We have given, as o
part of the political movements of the hour, q
programme of the policy by which the leaders
of the reformed and purified democracy hope
to rebuild their shattered fortunes and carry
the old party again to victory. The informa-
ton appears to have dealt some of the repub-
lican leaders staggering blow, and they seem
to discover now, for the first time, what ought
to have been plain to every sharp observer OF
events long since.
Judging by the old adage ''To the victors
belong the spoils," one might well suppose
that the regenerated democracy had already
been triumphant at the polls. The list Of
prominent public officers would certainly JUS
tify such belief. Governor of the State Of
New York, General John A. Dix democrat
Lieutenant Governor, General Robinson,
formerly democrat; Congressman at Large,
Lyman Tremain democrat Mayor OF New
York city, William F. Havemeyer, democrat
Comptroller of the city, Andrew Fl. Green,
democrat; Park Commissioner, Henry G.
Stebbins, democrat. Besides these we have
Comptroller Green's principal appointees-
General Mcmahon, democrat, Collector OF
Taxes and Morris Miller, democrat "a nephew
of Governor Horatio Seymour), Collector of
Arrears and Personal Taxes, one of the rich
est appointments in the Finance Department.
This certainly makes good display of power
for the reformed democracy and may well
have induced the ambitious hope of Mr. Til
den that upon this substantial foundation of
Office, with the cooperation of the solid old
democrat now at the head of the city govern
| men, Cno ISnC OF Cne tlIue-uOuOTou parry was
not likely to be long hidden under bushel
The interview of HERALD reporter with
Mayor Havemeyer published to-day, will give
new vigor to this democratic revival. Mr..
Havemeyer certainly displays no disposition
to yield any of his underlying democratic
principles while championing the cause of
reform, and it is clear that he will prove a
determined opponent of the republican pro-
gramme of municipal commissions In this
he may, possibly, be committing mistake.
The republicans have won very decisive vic
tory, and they cannot evade the responsibility
for the future government of the State and OF
the city. A decided policy is expected OF
them and is approved by Governor Dix. II
is not likely that they will accept the respon-
sibility and decline the power; that they will
consent to be held accountable for the eff
cheney, honesty and economy Of the govern.
ment, and yet tie their own hands by appoint
ing their political opponents to Office. There
is scarcely sufficient disinterestedness in politi
clans to induce the republican Legislature tx
nullify the political influence of the city gov
eminent for the purpose of building up AGAR
the overthrown temple of democracy.