The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-03

Of Mayor. He enters upon the duties Of
this high place sustained by the hopes and
expectations of the citizens of New York
without distinction of party. 1t is pleasant
feature in our politics that the people always
accept new officer in a spirit of generous
support. No matter how they may have as
sailed him politically they feel that the
moment he becomes an accepted officer of the
people his interest is that of the Common
wealth, and so long as he does well deserves
the aid of every citizen. Mr.. Wickham is the
Mayor of the city of New York, not the can
didate of party, the chief of an organization
or the vassal of aAy political leader. His
political allegiance becomes secondary to his
official duties. If his administration fails he
will alone be to blame; if it succeeds the
glory will be not only with him, but with
the party which placed him in power.
The best tribute that an honest pub
to so serve the people that it will be strength
ened in the public esteem. Mr.. Wickham
will do his duty to the democracy more
efectually by doing it to the people than in
any other way.
We can understand the complications which
surround the new Mayor. He comes into
office at period of great business depres-
sion. He is the candidate of a party that only
two years ago was overwhelmingly defeated
| because of the shameful frauds of the Tam
many Ring. He represents that new Tam
many which, we have been told, deplores
nothing so much as the Infamous crimes of
its former leaders. 1t is now a regenerated
party. He practically heads a new organiza-
ton coming into power. Dominant as it Has
hitherto been and now is the result of the
Registership canvass shows that it has within
it spirit of successful mutiny. Tammany
Hall does not hold the unqueshoned supe-
riority Of past years. The independent spirit
which elected Mr.. Wickham and defeated Mr..
Hayes will sit in judgment in future elections
upon the management Of the men who now
go into power. In this sense, therefore,
we feel that the admins ration of Mr..
Wickham will be more responsible to public
opinion than any We have seen for many
years. The Tammany organization is still
powerful but it is rot supreme. The defeat
of Tweed taught the politicians that New York
is greater than any party that presumes to
control New York. Henceforward we shall
have better government, because those who
govern will feel more directly responsible to
the people.
The first duty of MI. Wickham is to be the
real Mayor of New York. He is sheltered
from external interference in his administra-
ton by the principle of ''home rule adopted
by the Democratic Convention. The mean
ing of this principle is that in all matters per-
tanning to the municipality Mr.. Wickham
will be unfettered by the power of the Gov
ernor or the Legislature. The misfortune of
our New York government has been that from
year to year it was made the plaything of the
Albany rulers. We have not for many years
had government, but series of experiments
Any attempt to continue this policy on the
part of the Legislature will meet with
the unquestioned disapprobation of the
people. While Governor Tilden will
have certain duties, administrative in their
character SO far as New York is concerned,
his party and the people will expect from him
a practical recognition of Mr. Wickhams
independence as Mayor. The policy of med
ding will be fatal to efficient government of
the metropolis. If Mr.. Tlden should begin
this policy, and, ignoring Mr.. Wickham's
direct responsibility and the democratic prin-
ciple of ''home rule, should insist upon gov
erning the city from Albany, the Mayor would
be justified in throwing up his Office. Such
an act of resentful independence would be
his own proudest vindcation, and would
destroy the moral influence of the State adj
ministration.
We do not, however, entertain any such
fears. Mr.. Wickham will assuredly have his
own way in the Mayoralty. The first ques-
ton he must consider is the COMPREHENSIVE.
He cannot govern New York without having
that most important Office in the hands of
man possessing his own confidence and that
of the people. This man is not Andrew H.
Green. He cannot be called successful
Comptroller His administration is such
that even his friends constantly
apologizing for it. Whether from his
misfortune or his fault, Mr.. Green
has arrayed against himself the wide
spread condemnation of the people. They
regard him as q burden to New York, as
sitting the city, increasing the taxes and the
debt, imposing obstinate pig-headed stub
bornness upon the departments, assuming pow
ers almost imperial in their scope, and making
an Office in itself clerical and monitory the
master of the municipality.
The removal of Green is so necessary that
we prefer not even to discuss it, but take It for
granted Mr. Wickham, with Mr.. Green as
Comptroller, would begin his administration
very much like Snbad the sailor, with the
Old Man of the Sea straddled upon his back.
The removal of Mr.. Green is a solemn duty.
Next to that there is great opportunity-we
roean the establishment of rapid transit This