The New York herald., 1874-08-25

opportunity. As 1t Is, he has introduced
dangerous innovation in public Life, and
even Mr.. Havemeyer must have shuddered
when he read his letter, and saw what terri
BILE example the dog-catcher had set the
Mayor.
The withdrawal OF Judge Church
from tho Canvass.
It is to be regretted that Judge Church de-
clines being candidate on the democratic
ticket this year for Governor of the State of
New York. With such nominee on the
democratic side and with Governor Dix on the
republican side the people would have been
assured of high-toned, honorable State ad-
ministration on whichever political banner
victory might alight. The evident decay Of
the republican party in other States and the
blunders made in our city government under
the name of reform have created the belief
that the democracy would, in oil probability,
carry New York in November by small ma
jority. But this opinion has been modified
the democratic nominations must not only be
of unquestionable character, but must be such
as to give assurance Of the determination Of
the party to cast off its old sins and take new
departure. Judge Church is standard bearer
whose name would have been guarantee Of
good faith in the professed desire of the new
leaders to purify the party. There are, no
doubt, other honorable and worthy men in
the democratic ranks who would dis
charge the duties of Chief Executive
of the State with satisfaction to the
people and credit to themselves; but they
would not be available candidates at this time.
Judge Allen is respectable citizen OF fair
ability Mr.. Beach is good lawyer and a
popular man, except in localities where the
Black River Canal claims are understood
Mr.. Samuel j. Tilden, who is said to be Mr..
John O Kelly's candidate, is also o fair lawyer
and has been very successful railroad specu-
lator. Mr.. John Ganson occupies similar
position. But we do not think that any per-
SON who possesses knowledge of State poll
tics will pretend that either of these gentle
men would stand chance of election, not
withstanding the undoubted responsibility Of
their characters.
The mixed and singular general election of
1872 left the successful republican party with
two victories on their hands; the one in the
State and the other in the city of New York.
The Arst was won by General Dix, whose
record had already been written in the history
of his country, and whose political principles
are well defined. The city was carried by a
politician of past age, who had been laid
on the shelf and forgotten for o
quarter Of century OF thereabouts,
and of whom very little was known
except that in days long gone by, when the
city was an overgrown village, he had acted
as its Mayor without discredit, if not with
any marked ability. In the State leader the
republican party found o statesman in earnest
sympathy with its principles. In the city
chief it accepted man for availability who
was an acknowledged democrat, while willing
to receive Office ct the hands Of any party or
combination. The result might have been
anticipated. The State has been creditably
governed by Governor Dix i; the corruption
of the Legislature has received from him o
wholesome check his nominations to Office
have been of o character to win popular ap-
proval, and his entire official course has been
marked by sense of the dignity and respon-
sibility OF his high position, and by simple
desire to discharge his public duties in ac-
cordance with his official oath. On the other
hand, the government of the city has been
inefficient and disreputable. The appoint
ments made by Mayor Havemeyer have been
dictated by personal motives, without regard
to the interests Of the city. Dilapi-
dated old chums, obscure individuals,
whose names were never heard before
in decent society; broken-down political
hacks and men of questionable antecedenta
have been promoted by Mr.. Havemeyer to
offices Of responsibility in the municipal gov
ernment The Mayors course has been one
of bargaining and deception from Arst to last.
The city hos been plunged deeper and deeper
into debt taxation has increased, public
works have been paralyzed, and the reform
administration, after less than two years trial,
has already been dragged into the Grand Jury
room, tried and convicted in o court of justice,
and bids fair to end in the Penitentiary.
Now, the people do not fail to draw proper
distinction between the State and city gov
ernments, and while they admit that reform
in the city under Havemeyer and his mixed
followers has been deplorable and disgrace.
full failure they know that republican govern.
ment In the State under John A. Dix has been
honorable and successful They have moi
been disappointed in the straightforward hon.
esty of the man whose ringing words sounded
the keynote Of the nations victory over re-
bellion: any one hauls down
the American flag, shoot him on the
spot!" They have found in Governor Diy
the same earnestness of purpose he displayed
in those dark hours of the nations history,