The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-02

! ventured to advise them that so far as they
followed this chart they would be successful
We called attention to home rule and to in
dependence in city government. We pointed
out the peculiar position of New York, $50
lated, stihed, thrown back by misgovern-
ment, and sinking in the scale of prosperity,
while its neighbors were thriving at our ex-
pense. We admonished them to beware of the
blunders OF the Grant administration, es-
pecially to sustain the civil service and oppose
the third term and not to allow the hacks
and adventurers in politics to come to the
front We showed that, for the first time in
many years. the city and State of New York
were in the hands of one party, and the in
ference was that if the democratic party
showed itself worthy of confidence it might
look proudly upon the next Presidential cleo
ton with an assurance of victory.
Now, what do we see and what has been
done2 Home rule has been destroyed. 1t is
delusion. Mayor Wickham has been three
months endeavoring to remove an officer
whom he has declared to be an intriguer and
to be practically in collision with the thieves
of the Tammany Ring. He is believed also
to be anxious to remove from Office the Comp
troller, whose policy for ton years has been
more disastrous to the growth of New York
than that of Sseeny or Tweed. We are no
nearer rapid transit now than at the beginning
Of the administration of Governor Tilden. Civil
service in New York is the same mockery that
it was in the past Instead Of q system OF eff
cient examination Of applicants for Office and
the economical distribution of the necessary
work to be done in municipal affairs we have
an arrangement between Morrissey and Kelly
on the one side and the Mayor on the other by
which Tammany Hall politicians are
to be planted upon the city upon
some nursery principle-so many politi-
clans from each ward and precinct. The third
term, which was so efficient an element in the
canvass has been forgotten, and not one of
the democratic leaders who denounced it SO
loudly in the canvass has said one word about
it in Congress. The back pay and the salary
grab questions have been forgotten Demo-
Gratis who took prominent part in these ne
farious transactions are now the chosen lead
ers Of the party and candidates for high posi-
tions. Instead Of electing statesmen to the
Senate, men Of the new school of democracy,
in nearly every instance wornout political
hacks have been chosen who represent moth
ing but the Bourbonism that brought on the
war and prolonged its prosecution. All this
time we have had new issues, misty, vapory,
illusiye-meant to attract the people and to
cover up the intrigues Of politicians. All the
roads lead to the Presidency and the demo-
cratic success in the North is simply one
steady intrigue on the part Of its leaders to
gain power.
So far as New York is concerned it is not
too late for our democ friends to learn
wisdom. Certainly, if they read New Hamp-
shire Alright, they will not fail to do SO. Here
first is rapid transit Governor Tlden's nt-
tack on the Canal Ring is brilliant and effec-
tive, and will do him much good, but it can
not last Campaigns Of this kind are soon
forgotten. They die out like the blare Of the
trumpet or the beat OF the drum. One great
work benefting New York, silently accom-
plished, tedious in performance, without noise
or romance or opportunities for display, will
give him more enduring fame and do his
party more good than ten thousand sex
posures" Governor Tiden has it in his
power to give New York rapid transit We
do not mean by this simply building a rail
road from the City Hall to Westchester but
generous systematic completion Of the
Brooklyn Bridge the opening Of the tunnel
to New jersey the connection Of Staten Island
with New Jersey by suspension bridge.
BY these public works New York city would
become like London or Paris, no longer pent
up in an island and for part Of the year liable
to be severed from New jersey and Brooklyn,
but with power to extend in oil directions, so
that this island would be the city OF the me-
tropolis, and its suburbs would extend to New
Jersey, Staten Island and Westchester, and
become not only tho greatest but one Of the
most beautiful capital cities of the world
This, we repeat, is a real issue and q real
duty. II is not attractive. 1t does not give
opportunities 70 great statesmen" to write
elaborate opinions. 1t could hardly be made
Presidential question. 1t would be difficult
TO rally the party upon it outside OF New
York. II would not give the Governor
much popularity in Minnesota or Alabama,
and would scarcely add an additional vote in
the convention, because he would have New
Yorks votes already. But it is the real thing
10 do after all, and if Governor Tilden is truly
statesman and not politician, and if the men
who surround him are wise and far-seeng,
they will enter upon these real issues in such
o manner as to bring them to prosperous
conclusion and give the party strength that
it never can gain from this beating Of the
drums and roaring about corruption in Al
bany.
The street Cleaning Question.
In hanling over the care Of cleaning the
streets Of New York to the Board Of Police