The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-13

We do not know that we are prepared tc
accept the "Costigan BILL" as it is called, in
all its phases. These bills, introduced into
our Legislatures for the purpose Of 'reform-
ing the city government" are generally of q
treacherous character. They require close
supervision. We have never seen city
charter, for instance, that was not as intricate
as Chinese puzzle. One trick was never
solved without finding another inside of it.
We leave, therefore, the details of the Costigan
bill to those who are expert in such matters.
contenting ourselves with approving the prin-
ciple which animates it
There can be no measure of reform so well
come to New York as that which establishes
home rule in this city. We recognize how, in
large and generous sense, this city and other
municipalities are dependent upon the State
But the function of the State is as distinct
from the Office Of the municipality as the
government of the city is from the govern
ment of the family. The trouble heretofore
has been that the State, when it has suited it's
purposes, usurped the functions of the city.
The State has SO frequently been in tho hands of
needy politicians and adventures who sought
place and jobbers who craved money. They
looked upon New York as a rich placer, and
treated it very much as the early miners in
California dealt with the placers of the Sacra-
mento Valley. They thought only of the gold
it contained, and destroyed all other values.
Every year for many years q gang of greedy
men have obtained power in Albany. Their
first use of power was to plumber New York. All
the misfortunes which fell upon our city from
the Tammany Ring came through Albany. Al
bany was the rock on which Tweed stood when
he began his campaign of robbery and shame.
Albany was at the root of our corrupt commits
sions, our inefficient police, the plundered
treasury and the dismantled departments of
our city-a city robbed under one administra-
ton and stiAed under another. We can
think of nothing in large sense benefcent
which this city owes to the Albany influence.
On the contrary, there has scarcely been on
instance in which the State interfered with
the city where it's influence has not been per-
nicious.
As we understand the principle of the
Costigan bill it is to do away with this un-
wholesome relation, to free the city, not from
its proper dependence on the State, but from
it's subservience to it. In other words,
this bill embodies the principle of home
rule The argument made that to pass the
bill would be to reflect upon Mr.. Tilden
is trifing one. We must not legslato for o
city like New York in Difference to the wishes
of any man, be he Governor or not The
moment our democratic friends begiu to pass
bills that will please one officer, or not to pass
them for fear they might displease him,
they drift into the old condition Of favoritism
and misgovernment. Mr.. Tilden is one officer
of the State who may pass away tomorrow.
1t is his duty to administer the laws, and not
the duty Of the Legislature to legisate to suit
his fancy. Furthermore, Mr.. Tlden is too
much of statesman, we are convinced, to
allow his personal wishes to interfere with q
large measure of reform. Therefore, our i'm
preston is strong in favor OF the Costigan
bill Unless there is some reason for its de-
feat that does not appear to us on its face we
trust that it will be adopted without delay.