The New York herald., 1874-08-01
Tho Governor, tho Mayor and the
Politicians.

The Governor, tho Mayor and the
Politicians.
The cry put forth to save Mayor Have
meyer is not dattsring to that unfortunate in
dividual, nor is it likely to deter Governor
Dix from taking such action on the charges
now undergoing investigation as his duty may
require. 1t is that inasmuch as Mr.. Have
meyers term of Office is 80 near its close, and
as the peril he has encountered will teach him
prudence for the short remainder of his
official existence it is not worth while to re-
move him The plea for mercy is danger
Gus one, and should not be admitted. In this
affair MIR. Havemeyer is nothing-the Tam
many politicians are nothing. The public
interest is alone to be studied, and if the
Mayor hos been guilty of such Official miscon-
duct and such disregard of law as to deserve
removal he should be removed if
only week of his official term re-
mained A great principle is at stake.
If the Governor should refuse to exercise the
power vested in him by the law it will be
accepted as an admission of the right Of
Mayor to reappont public officer after he
has been convicted Of a violation of his oath
of office and stripped of his position by the
law. 1t will deprive the power of removal Of
all influence in the future, and will reduce to
an absurdity that provision of the charter
which declares that o conviction of public
officer on q charge Of violating the law shall
disqualify him from holding Office under the
city government thereafter. It would be
establishing most Objectionable precedent if
the Governor should condemn the act Of
the Mayor and yet suffer him to retain
the position he has abused. Either the
Mayor has committed such an act as
demands his removal or he has done
nothing inconsistent with his duty as
the guardian of the public interests If he
deserves censure, then he is unfit to be Mayor
of the city of New York. Governor Dix is
not man to shrink from the performance of
q duty, and we believe he will take just this
view Of the case. Besides, the plea that Mr..
Havemeyer will do no more mischief must be
received with doubt. It has been asserted by
his nearest friends that the dismissal of the
charges now made against him will be the
signal for general raid on all the public
officials who have incurred his displeasure,
and that the scandalous turmoil and con-
fusion in the government will be increased.
1t is as we'll that the Governor should
understand the political considerations under
lying these appeals to his nerosity. In case
of the suspension or removal Of Mr. Have
meyer Mr.. Vance will be Acting Mayor of the
nil ~ oI,,,; ;x;,
lican pleases neither Tammany Hall nor the
''liberal'' republicans. He does not please
Mr.. Green either, for the reason that he has
taken determined stand in favor of economy
in the public expenditures and thorough re-
form in our financial management. The Tam
many politicians have carried the war against
MIR. Havemeyer just as far as they desire it to
60. They have proved his misdeeds and have
cast stigma upon such ''reform" as
he represents. They would now rejoice
if Governor Dix would identify himself
with Havemeyers follies, blunders and
offences by refusing to remove him
from office. They desire that the present
squabbling and inaction of the city depart
ments shall continue, and would regret that
Mr. Vance should have the opportunity, in five
months Of authority as Mayor to redeem the
character of reform and fix its failure un-
mistakably upon one unfortunate selection.
The 'liberar' republicans do not wish to see
Mr. Vance in power for obvious reasons.
They do not want him as the next republican
and reform nominee for Mayor. These are
the reasons why the democrats have grown
suddenly anxious to save Mayor Havemeyer,
and why the ''liberal' republicans think that,
not worth while to turn him out. Governor
Dix can see through such advice without the
aid of glasses.