The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-06
spring Elections.

"patronizing' the editor of that journal. In
the article yesterday we weighed our words
and cannot think they will bear that con-
struction in fact, as they certainly did not in
intention. We treat him with courtesy
because we respect his abilities, his political
influence (Which we sometimes think mis-
guided), his intrepid franbness and his
knowledge of the political history OF the
State. We aim TO treat our editorial
brethren in our columns as we would treat
them in society, paying occasional comph-
nents when we think them deserved, but
never saying anything which can justly
offend their self-respect, equally avoiding
coarse abuse and patronizing airs.
We regret that we are not to have the CO.
operation of the Commercial Advertiser in adj
vocating spring election, because, with his
assistance, this reform could be easily carried.
We do not despair of carrying it against his
opposition. 1t would certainly succeed if
we could even count on his benevolent neu-
trality," if we may borrow this phrase from
the diplomatists. The interviews which we
have published with Senator's and Assembly
men from all parts OF the State north
and west of Spuyten Duyyil show a
strong preponderance in favor of this
change 1t is only our fear that there
is "a power behind the throne greater than
the throne itself" or, in other words, that
veteran party strategists may override the
real Judgment of the Legislature that causes
any distrust as to the success of the reform
- Ia A..
their individual sense of duty their declared
opinions in the interviews which we have
published, should relieve the question from
doubt We regard the editor of the CONNER
cial as the greatest obstacle and we should
be glad to convince Z. our friend the enemy"
that it is for the interest of his party that he
should withdraw his opposition. His state
ment of reasons is rather argument for
the change than against it, and, that We may
do him no injustice, we insert his argu-
ment -
For nearly twenty years, up TO 1S49 municipal
elections held in April Abuses Infamous and
outrageous had grown up under these elections that
the people in that year demanded change The change
furnished Governor Fish and the leading wings OF
that day believing that change was for the better
The city charter amended to provide for hold
ing elections at the time Of the state and national cleo
tons, the fall Then the forty thieves
and all sorts OF rascay. Our citizens again
demanded another change, and municipal cleo
tons were held December. All these changes
we're made by legislators opposed the demo-
cratic party and at the request OF leading demo-
cratic citizens Of New York The reign Of Fernando
Wood brought TO the 'front.' the best men In the city,
who up to Albany asking protection from repub-
Ican legislators against the cOhe mob, who stood
like wall behind Fernando Wood All the changes
and experiments were made IN the interest OF good
government and made at the nstgaton OF leading
democrats and by republican legislators, and no news
paper has been indecent in its abuse Of republican
legislation and Albany interference with New ork city
charters as the NEW YORK HERALD. Now another ap
peal is made TO Albany and republican legislators lor
protection from Iammany and the olear ana bottle
eyed democracy fNew York We have no aith IN the
remedy.
We need no better evidence than this
statement to'prove that the experiment of
holding the charter and general elections on
the same day brought nothing but mischief.
The Commercial correctly states that this
change was first made in lsl9. Up to that
time the charter election and the State cleo
ton had never been held on the same day.
What were the fruits of the change? The
Commercial truly describes them 1.-THE
city charter was so amended as to
provide for holding elections at the time
of the State and national elections, in
the fall. Then came the forty thieves and
all sorts of rascality." Most readers will
agree with us that this is sorry argument
for holding the elections on the same day.
The forty thieves and all sorts of rascality"
Immediately followed. The city and State
elections were again fixed on the same day
by the infamous Tweed legislation of 1870,
and everybody knows what an inundating
!. l., L Ac
to the HERAID's opposition to charter
changes the Commercial is not accurate. The
HERALD did not oppose the changes made
during the administration of Governor Fish
except in one particular The HERALD then
said april 3 1S49 I'VE have but one OBJ
lection to the new charter, and that is the
section providing that the election of our
municipal officers shall take place on the
same day as that on which the State election
takes place. This, we think, will not have
good effect 1t will intermingle our munich
pal affairs with the politics of the State, and
partly with those of the whole country
There is no good reason why our city cleo
ton should turn on national politics. The
HERALD Endorsed all the other features of the
charter passed under the administration of
Governor Fish but their good ten
dency was defeated by the change
in the election day, which, as the Com
nercial admits, was followed by 'the
forty thieves and all sorts of rascality.
The HERALD did strenuously oppose the
charter Of 1867, and all its predictions of its
bad effects were speedily fulfilled, as the
Commercial well knows. 1t is true that the
city and State elections were then separated,
but by so slight an interval as to be of no
consequence. city election in the begin
ming of December following State election
in the beginning of November made them,
by their close proximity parts of the same