The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-05

We publish further instalment of inter
views had by our correspondents with Sena-
tors and Assemblymen previous to their
meeting at Albany. Like those we gave yes
terday, they show that the whole drift of
sentiment is in one direction. Considering
how widely men differ ON every public ques-
ton which is at all debatable, the unanimity
which prevails respecting the expediency Of
spring elections for municipal officers is a
strong presumptive proof that there are
hardly two sides to the question.
Republicans and democrats alike, in
every section of the interior of the State,
warmly favor the change advocated by the
HERALD, and if party maneuvres did not
interfere with the judgment of the members
it is past doubt that the present Legislature
would transfer our city election to the spring
Of the year.
The views of members who reside in the
interior cities are of especial value, because
they have had opportunities to see in opera
ton the system which we advocate and are
able to testify to its value on the solid ground
of experience. Senator Emerson, the sue
cessor of Jarvis Lord in the Twenty-eighth
district, says:-"Here in Rochester the
municipal election is held in March, and
believe, SO far as 1 can judge. that the
majority of the people prefer having
it on day when there are no State issues to
be fought over. 1t affords every citizen full
time and opportunity to post himself as to
the qualifications of the candidates. Having
no other candidates to think about the
voters very naturally, when the election
takes place, devote their whole attention to
local issues, and think the result is always
better than it would be were there other
than local issues TO be considered at the
same time" Assemblyman Monroe, of SYRIA
cuse, the successor of Mr.. Alvord, and for
merly a State Senator, expressed himself as
follows to one of our correspondents
II have always been of the opinion
that an election for municipal officers
should not take place on the same
day as general election, and I have as yet
to find the argument that could change that
opinion To my mind the interests of all
cities stand ON the same footing in this re-
gard, be they large or small The principle
is the same, and if there be any difference
1 think the argument holds better for large
city than for small one." The greater part
of the interviews are of the same tenor.
We wish-we fear it is a vain wish-that
the powerful influence of the editor of the
Commercial might be given in aid of this
strong body of sincere, spontaneous and en-
lightened public sentiment as expressed by
members of the present Legislature He is
the fitting successor of Thurlow Weed in
moulding the republicans Of the Legisla-
ture-the worthy disciple of a renowned
master We fear he is too great an adept in
strategy to pursue simple methods, and that
it is his besetting inirmity to ''steer too
near the sands to boast his wit ;" otherwise,
we should expect him to organize at Albany
the public sentiment which 80 strongly ia
vors spring election. In the long run his
party would gain by it. though perhaps at
the sacrifice of q transient advantage. The
capture of our handsome Mayor is no doubt
a feather in his cap-for his hand is discern
IDLE in this dexterous maneuvre-but
man of his sagacity ought to
look further ahead and consider per-
manent consequences The constant danger
of the republican party is that its reliable
majority in the rural districts will be
swamped by the democratic vote of this city,
which is increased in every State election by
the money, zeal, influence and ambition of
the local candidates. the efficient auxiliaries
of the democratic State candidates A spring
election would detach these powerful rein
forcements and separate the city democrats
from their chief base of supplies in the
State election. Neither Mr.. Hastings nor
the republican Legislature should be in
sensible of so great an advantage, which is
now within their grasp.