The New York herald., 1875-01-24
THE MAYORS POSITION.
The New Policy Proposed at Albany by Charter
Amendments to Secure Home Rule.
THE POLICE COMMISSION.
Against Republican Uaurpation ana
Promises Democratic Retorras.


take any decisive action that might result IN the
speedy ousting OF the members OF the various
commissions who are not considered the proper
parties to hold power under the new regime has
been during the past week the subject OF no little
discussion in political circles. Rumor, 1t Is true.
has been rife as TO the changes that are certain
TO be made sooner or later in the Police Com
mission, and there now be no doubt but that
the fate OF the members OF the Commission
would have been definitely settled during
the week but that the leaders have
decided upon new policy, the adoption OF which,
by the way will give the commissioners in every
other department., who are TO be got rid OF In the
long run, little longer lease of life than they
would have had had 1t not been adopted. 1t seems
that when Mr.. Wickham first took hold OF
THE REINs OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT
he had a list prepared OF all the offlcials IN the
pity, great and small with their politics and duties
and salaries opposite their names, as well as the
hate OF their appointment and the term OF their
expiration OF ONCE 1t was generally supposed
that the list was prepared to enable the new
Mayor to know just what the term "city govern
ment" meant, and who he had TO depend upon as
we'll as to hold responsible tor the proper working
Of the complicated machinery OF the
municipality. Undoubtedly this was
Of the reasons which prompted the
making out OF the exhibit, but the chief
reason was to enable the Mayor to know just where
to let the axe fall with the best effect and with the
least possible danger OF rebound. Had he con-
suited but himself in this matter it is undeniabe
that certain very radical changes would have been
attempted ere this but 1t now appears that some
ambitious gentlemen at Albany desire to make a
total change OF plans Tor the wedding out OF the
people who stand IN the way OF the new order OF
things. The new policy is nothing more nor less
than to leave the fate OF the more prominent
officials IN the hands OF
THE ALBANY LEGISLATORS,
the argume Mt being that If the same results can
be obtained ty peaceable legislation there the
success OF the advocates OF ''hOme rule" will be
S.l the more complete and less open to harsh
criticism than II obtained by the one man power
process. This looks rather paradoXcal, but the
concoCtors OF the plan insist that 1t Is an eml-
nently wise one. II the Mayor should go to work,
they say, as be has been urged TO by some OF the
leaders, and, planting himself firmly on the ''for
cause' platform, remove Commissioners right and
lett, he would place himself, his intimate friends
contend, IN the attitude OF a partisan determined
1t all hazards to make a change all round regard.
less OF consequences, so long as he could, even
by straining point or two, make re.
publican stand aside to benefit demo-
crst. Now IL Is hardly possible that the
Mayor would be deferred from acting out his own
Will IN these matters If no stronger reasons than
these were advanced to prevent him; but there
are those who believe the canara set aloat by Mr.
Green that MI. Tilden's position has induced MI
Wlckham TO bide his time for little while longer
until Albany has been heard from Tor the last
time There is however, no question about
MIR. TILDEN's STAND
30 far as the approval" power given to the
Governor, in the matter of removals by the Mayor
II concerned. In his Message he said great deal
about local seli-government, and he Is too shrewd
politician TO destroy his future prospects and to
break the power oil the democratic party In New
York BY making fight against Mayor Wickham
for the sake OF keeping personal friend in
once. OF course there could objection
the part OF any democrat to the whole re.
publican tinkering OF the city charter
wiped out. But under Governor Tilden
there could be well grounded apprehension
that the veto power placed In the Governors
hands by republican politicians would be used to
emoarrass Mayor WlcKhams administration and
prevent the formation OF q harmonious and eif-
cient city government Still many insist that as
the Objectionable clause In the charter is detri-
mental to the interests OF the city and in antago
nsm with democratic principles 1t should be
pealed. No person can suspect that Governor
Tiden would oppose its repeal for the sake Of re-
tanning power he could not in honor or con-
sistency exercise Still the great mass OF demo-
most direct, manly and consistent course Is for
THE MAYOR TO ACT BOLDLY
and TO remove all the present officials in every
department who are not 10 harmony with his
policy OF whose presence creates dissension in the
city government. They say while the charter gives
him the power he Is bound to exercise 1t and
that 1t would be eowardly not to do 80. General
sentiment has long ago conceded that the
city government as 1t existed under Mr.. Have.
meyer was ridiculously disgraceiu, and Mayor
WicEham was elected to reform 1t altogeth ther. 1t
Is, therefore, his duty to do So and there should
be no needless delay or hesitation about his &C.
tion. Whatever the Legislature might do with the
bills proposed by the Albany aspirants for fame,
they could not become laws Tor some time, and
what the people expect ana have right to re.
quire OF the Mayor Is
PROMPT AND IMMEDIATE ACTION.
II there was any doubt OF the inenlcicncy and
tricky character OF Comptroller Green, say those
who discuss the subject, and 1t the Mayor did not
know the rottenness and lncapacity Of the Police,
Dock and Fire Commissioners, then we could un-
derstand why the Mayor should pause and care
ully view the ground before he moves forward.
But 1t is notorious tnat nine.tenths OF :he peo.
pie are satisfied that our present fnan-
ciai policy is ruinous to the public inter.
ests and tainted with suspiclon; that the
Police Commission would be a ridiculous
farce II 1t was not public disgrace and danger;
that the Fire, DUCK and other departments are
very ObIcctlOnaOly, II not COrruptly, managed.
These facts being patent everybody asks why Is
not the reform or which the people voted at the
election promptly carried out. We have not re-
formed the city government by inaugurating
Mayor Wickham. "Relorm" means an cnure
cnange IN all improperly managed departments.
At present we have uaveIneyer's administration
with Wickham Gt its head. THIS Is the argument
used BY tue people, and It's force cannot be denied.
Mayor Wickham took ONCE on January |, and the
object Tor when hc elected was well Known
to be The wiping out OF the municipal government
OF the prior TWO years. If he could have made
changes WITHIN an hour alter he had taken the
oath ol oiicc public sentiment would have ap.
proved his action. 80 lar as the
ILL-JUDGED ALBANY INTERFERENCE
IS concerned, the bills could not pass without such
bargains with republican Senator'S as the people
have always dlsapproved ana as have always re-
suited IN evil. Republicans unnt tor ofllce would
have 10 be Kept ln and patchwork, similar to that
made in 1873 would be the result. The city Is suffer-
ing from such policy now, and Will continue TO
suffer until the Mayor and the Governor redeem