The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-29
The Politicians and the Mayors
Appointments.

The hopes Of the brogan politicians are
centred III the Board of Aldermen. Mayor
Wickham has hitherto had his own way, they
say, and has been generous toward his per-
sonal friends but he must now get his nomi-
nations confirmed by the Aldermen, and we
shall see whether Ed Shandley, Lysaght,
Mccarthy, Guntzer. Reilly and the rest Will
''go back on the boys" In fact, they conf
IDENTIFY reckon on a refusal of their direct
representatives to act 1avorably on any NOM
nations that would not receive the approval
of the working democracy. Men are not
wholly unselish, even when they ore poll
ticians, and democrats who have spent time
and money year after year in the service OF
the party insist upon considering their title to
Office superior to that of highly respectable
gentlemen who seldom vote and never work at
elections. Hence the rank and file, finding
the elegantly fitted Executive Chamber mac
cessible TO them, are looking to their district
representatives to protect their interests and
what they imagine to be their rights in the
distribution of the commissionerships about
to become vacant.
1t is evident that the Mayor will have no
cosy task to perform in making his selections
under these circumstances. If he continues
to satisfy the broadcloth section of his party
he will be very likely to offend the corduroys,
and then the confirmation difficulty will arise.
The Aldermen are dependent upon their pop
ularity in their districts for future political
preferment, and they are very likely to espouse
the cause Of the working democracy in such a
controversy. On the other hand, Mayor
Wickham would forfeit the reputation he has
established for independence and integrity if
he should suffer any considerations to induce
him to make bargains with the Aldermen and
to make Objectionable nominations. His safe
course is to select for the heads of depart
ments citizens of established character and
whose capacity and strict integrity cannot be
called in question. If he does this the
Board Of Aldermen will scarcely venture
to offer any factious opposition to his ap-
pointees. His opportunities hitherto have
been limited, but the few appointments he has
made have been vast Improvement on the
Havemeyer regime and have satisfied all re-
spectacle citizens. He will now tor
the first time be called upon to
select number of commissioners of impor-
tant departments, and if in discharging this
duty he displays proper regard for the in
terests of tie city he will not only compel the
Aldermen to accept his nominees, but will
create public opinion that must induce the
Governor to act on the removals now in his
hands. Mayor Wckham must understand
that there is a constituency behind him larger
than that contained inside Tammany Hall,
and while no one will blame him for prefer
ring members of his own party to his political
opponents in his selection Of public officers
his appointments must not be made at the
dictation Of ward politicians We are not
likely to have any improvement of our present
charter; hence the people can only look to the
character Of those intrusted with the duty of
carrying out the laws Tor the protection Of
their interests