The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-23
The May Vacancies In the City De-
partmcnts-Governor Ttlden's Action.

some of the heads of city departments, and
the month viii bring forth new flowers IN the
municipal parterre. The politicians are much
interested to know of what description the
latter VII ba-whether they will be delicate
exotics watered by Apollo or hardy plants OF
strong democratic growth. We are 10 have
new Fire Commissioner, q new Park Commits
sioner, new Dock Commissioner and new
Police Commissioner. Are these important
positions to tail to the share of the darlings OF
the Manhattan or the pets of the Wigwam9
Are the patent feathers or the brogans TO
march ia the front in this first important dis
tribution Of patronage? Is broadcloth or
corduroy to sit in the seats of Office? These
are the questions that now agitate the pold-
cal mind that keep up constant clatter
over bottles of Chateau Lafitte in Fifth ave-
nue., excite noisy discussions over barroom
whislcey, fill the Mayors chamber with nicely
perfumed visitors and crowd the City Hall
Park with cracked boots.
The Police Commissionership is regarded as
the most important position to fall vacant by
expiration Of term Of Office next month. and
hence the probable successor of the fussy nom
entity, General Duryee, who dies out in few
days. After a term Of Office as useless to him
self as TO everybody else he occupies the prIn-
cipa share Of the public attention. The ''boys'
90 not like the air Of mystery and secrecy
that hangs about the leaders, and they fear
that some name hitherto unknown in active
democratic life may be sprung upon them
from the Executive chamber. They want one
Of their own school appointed; some demo-
crat known by his works, and approachable
by democrats even if their brogans are heavy
and their hands ungloyed. The Park Com
mission and the Dock Commission are also
regarded with interest, although not in an
equal degree With the Police Commission.
These departments employ many laborers;
hence the ''hard-fsted democracy as it is
called, desires to see men in active sympathy
with them in both boards, if MIR. Thomas L.
Stewart should be superseded. When it is
remembered that four months have drifted
away without any change in the personnel Of
Mayor Hayemeyers administration it is not
to be wondered at that the democracy are ex-
cited over these May appointments or that the
friends Of the aspirants for the positions
should manifest intense feeling over the con-
test. marked feature Of the preliminary
mannuvies is the effort made BY the different
interests to enlist the sympathies Of the Alder
men in their favor AS the appointments
made by the Mayor, being for full terms will
have to stand the ordeal Of confirmation by
tie Board OF Aldermen, it will readily be I'M
derstood why tie importance Of q city father
has increased 50 materially within the past
week.
1t is to be hoped that amid all these rival
RES, struggles and iutrigues Mayor Wickham
will remain true to his early pledge to be mo
mans man. but to make his selection Of
public officers in the interest of the people
and Of the city rather than in the interests of
individuals. Thus far his appointments have
been of character TO meet general approval.
That they have been too few 10 accomplish
general reform in the city government is not his
fault, but the fault OF Governor Tilden.
Mayor Wickham has proved that he would
give New York an efficient, capable, high
toned and harmonious government if the
singulnrly narrow or inexcusably diatory
policy OF the Governor Of the State did not
obstruct and defeat his efforts il this direc-
ton. Tie appointments hc viii now have it
ii bis power 70 make, without any thanks to
Governor Tilden, will not greatly better our
present unfortunate position. good Com
missioner will 80 into the Police Department
il place o. Duryee but Disbec5er and Mat
sell will still be fastened upon the city. In
the PARK Department Mr.. Thomas L. Stewart
retires, but lie has acted throughout in the
cause Of reform. and his successor can do no
more. Tie Fire Department and the Dock
Department Nill not be thoroughly recon-
s'ructei as they ought to be. 1t is clear,
therefore, that Governor TIlden's reprehen-
sible NEGLECT 10 aid in the reorganization
81 tie city government Will be as mic
chievous after the May appointments
KS il has heretofore been. The heads
OF two Of Tie most important departments in
the city have been removed by the Mayor, SO
fer Is Bis authority extends, on charges affect
ing their official integrity. The Governor,
having the power under tho law to approve
or disapprove the acton Of the Mayor, does
neither. lie ayails himself Of a power he
ought not 70 possess 70 evads all action and
TO paralyzc the arm OF the Mayor. If he be-
heves tile accused officers 70 he innocent JUS
ticc TO them demands that he should promptly
So declare and veto their removal If he be-
levas them % be guilty be grossly wrongs the
city and violates his official duty by neglect
ing IL relusiog to confirm the sentence OF tho
Mayor by his unfortunate dilatorness the
C.,v.,.ro,r bqs increased fne dernoral ization If
tie departments, brought the high Office Of
Mayor into contempt and rendered GOOD gov
ernment impossible. Il lie i not trfing with
the citizens q New York. OF disposed 70 treat
their Judgment ana sentiments with contempt,
ho Will either enable lie Mayor 70 reconstruct