The New York herald., 1876-01-31

| lature in the rural districts. If this ques-
ton we're to be decided by the real judgment
of the Legislature, and in compliance
with the wishes of our citizens, a
bill providing for a spring election
would be passed without friction
enough to show that it had encountered any
opposition. How then, does it happen that
ii is delayed and obstructed? 1t is partly
because SO many think it necessary part of
new charter and opinions do not agree as
to what new charter should contain, and
partly because the selfshness of politicians
prevails over the manifest interest of the peo-
pie. Our amiable Mayor, frightened after
the election by the widely declared public
sentiment in favor of a spring election, has en-
tered into bargain with scheming republican
politicians, promising them large slice of
the city patronage on condition that his
tenure shall not be disturbed by the Legis-
lature. He has already appointed two re-
publican Police Commissioners in pursuance
OF the bargain, and the other instalments are
to follow as occasions arise. Instead of Sc
lecting an active, pronounced democrat for
q capable man, whose politics are of neutral
tint and who is not likely to administer his
Office in the interest of the demo-
cratic party, as all his predecessors
have done. While the session lasts
Mayor Wickham will do nothing that
can give offence at Albany, hoping to stay
the hand of the Legislature and retain his
Office until the close of the year. But is it
right that reform should be obstructed and
the city suffer in the interest of one man?
Will the republicans of the Legislature in
dorse and ratify bargain to which ma
jority of them were not parties and by which
they are not bound?
This is an occasion, if there can ever be an
occasion, for the Municipal Society to exert
itself with vigor. This respectable society
was organized and Incorporated shortly be-
fore the meeting of the Legislature. Regard
ing municipal reform as the paramount
issue which overshadows and eclipses
oil others it has bound itself to
labor sin season and out of season"
for this one object. 1t passed ''self-deny-
ing ordinance" pledging its members to
accept no Office nor a nomination for any of
fee, in order that it's influence may not be
impaired by aspersions on its motives The
Municipal Society consists of about one hun
dred of our foremost citizens, whose recog-
nized weight of character and solid interest
in good government make this association
an important event in our municipal his
tory. 1t includes such names as Dorman b.
Eaton, its President Theodore Roosevelt,
Howard Potter, DR.. Agnew, Jackson s.
Schultz, Lewis l.. Delafeld, William E.
Dodge, Jr. Professor Dwight Parke God
win, James M. Constable, Levi Parsons Nor
ton, Samuel d. Babcock, Sinclair Tousey,
Alfred G. Hoe, Benjamin B. Sherman, and
the whole list is of similar standing and re-
spectability. Now, as there is nothing which
these gentlemen so deeply deplored, in
their excellent address, as the min
Cling of our city affairs with general
politics, we are entitled to call on them for
assistance in promoting the one reform which
would do more than any other toward sever
ing the connection. 'sThe field is white for
the harvest and they have only to put in
their sickles. When the great step of
spring election has been achieved every SUBJ
sequent step in divorcing municipal affairs
from party politics will be rendered more
easy and if, when this great point is gained,
the Municipal Society will also give its in
fluence to secure the election of some vigor-
Gus and able citizen like Charles A. Dana or
Andrew H. Green to the Mayoralty, its men,
bers may feel sure ofaid and not obstruction
in prosecuting further reforms.