The New York herald., 1876-01-30
the Independent Democrats and
Spring Election.

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the autumn to the spring was fully dis
cussed, and, outside the circle of the Tam
many party, was generally indorsed during
and Immediately subsequent to the last po-
litical campaign. 1t was no new question,
but, on the contrary, one that had for many
years been maturely considered by the advo-
Gates of municipal reform. In 1856, when
the evil of holding the general and local
elections on the same day was made mani
fest by the most glaring frauds on the ballot
box, the demand for change became 80
emphatic that the politicians did not ven
ture to ignore it. They succeeded, however,
in effecting compromise by which our
municipal officers were to be chosen in De-
cember, one month after the general elec-
tion-an experiment that only aggravated
the evils of the preceding system. When
the charter Of 1871 was under consideration
in the Legislature some of the most promi-
nent and intelligent business men of New
! York strove to secure return to the policy
of a spring election, but were powerless
before the influence of the Tam
many Ring. Immediately after the ex-
posure of the criminality of Tweed and
his associates when the subject OF
administrative reform was uppermost in the
minds of the people, the Committee of Sew
enty prepared a charter, one of the prlnci-
pal features of which was the change of the
municipal election from November to April.
This change was determined upon only after
a careful investigation of the practical work
ing of former charters and as the result of
conferences with many of our most intelli-
gent and prominent citizens. The question
was, therefore, familiar to the people OF the
city and of the State when it was under dis
cussion during the recent campaign, and the
expressions then recorded in favor of the
proposed alteration of the law were not
made without due consideration. 1t was
then conceded that a union of the general
and local elections is conducive of corrupt
bargains between unscrupulous candidates,
and that in the excitement of political issues
our municipal interests are apt to be over
outside the circle of Tammany attempted to
refute the argument that we are more likely
to select capable and honest city officers
when matters relating to our local govern
ment are alone before the people than at
time of high political excitement when ma
tional and State issues are at stake Nothing
has occurred since last November to change
the aspect of the question of a spring cleo
ton, and there can be no good reason why
the sentiments then entertained should not
still prevail.
The anti-Tammany democracy, at the
meeting of their County Committee on Fri
day last, placed themselves on record as ''in
favor of municipal election in the spring
of the year, when all good citizens, irrespec
tive of differences upon State and national
issues, can join hands in support of all can
didates honestly in favor of municipal re-
form" This avowal of principles shows
that the anti-Tammany democrats have not
changed their views on the subject since last
November, but are still prepared to unite
with all independent citizens to secure de-
sirable reform in our local affairs as speedily
as possible Their position is wisely taken.
Tammany is not always all-powerful in the
State conventions, and is not likely to ex-
srcise an overshadowing influence in the ma
tional conventions of the democratic party.
Standing alone with charter officers before
the people her leaders would almost GER
tainly meet defeat but so long as they can
| cover themselves with the shield of pre-
tended regularity" and force their local
candidates upon the party in connection
with democratic State and national nomi-
nees, there will always be danger of their
partial or complete success. The anti-Tam-
many democrats are, therefore, wise in re-
naming steadfast to the policy of spring
election and in urging its adoption upon the
State Legislature. If any change of views
has taken place on the question among the
opponents of Tammany it must be sought in
the republican ranks AS the republican
party is in the majority both in the Senate
and Assembly it will be wholly responsible
to the people for the defeat of the desired
reform, unless, indeed, o law providing for
spring election should fall before the Cover
nor's veto 1t will be we'll for the leaders OF
that organization to reflect upon the conse-
quences before they incur such response
bility The only objection that has yet been
urged against the proposed change is that
the business men and property owners of
the city cannot be induced to spare the time
for registration and voting twice year, and
especially in the spring, when trade is reviv-
ing and active. But this plea is SO trans
parently unsound that it will scarcely be
accepted by the people as sufficient
explanation for the neglect of a republican
Legislature to secure to New York reform
demanded by her best citizens and opposed
only by the Sachems of the Tammany
society-the dictators of the Tammany
democracy Besides, it is well known that
the rank and file Of the New York republicans
unite with the anti-Tammany democrats
in favoring spring election. Hence, should