The New York herald., 1876-10-23
Tho Political Contest In TIL. city.

| tion in this city is not possible until the re-
publican party shall have presented its
| ticket. The democrats have made SO fit and
excellent a nomination for Mayor that we do
not see how they can be beaten in city in
which they outnumber their opponents in
the proportion of two or three to one. If
their whole ticket were as unexceptionable
as the strong name at the head of it there
could be no real contest at all, and the re-
publican nominations would be mere form,
as empty as a repast where the table was
supplied with full array of dishes but no
viands. But, unfortunately, there are some
Objectionable names on the democratic
ticket, and its opponents will make an in
dustrious use of these to discredit the whole
ticket. This might be O successful
mannuvre if the two parties were more
evenly balanced, but it will amount to
little against so heavy q democratic pre-
ponderance Independent democrats will
probably scratch one or two unfit names and
vote the residue of the ticket but we have
no doubt of the election of the greater part
Of it,
The HERALD has taken lively interest in
the nominations for Mayor and for Surro-
gate, regarding the others as of less impor-
tance We are bound to exercise discrim-
ination enough not to mistake shadow for
substance. There is one class of officers
who are merely ministerial. like tho Sheriff
and County Clerk. These officers are SER
wants of other departments of the city gov
ernment, compelled to do what they are
bidden. It makes little difference to the
public who is elected Sheriff or County
Clerk. These officers have no discretion.
Their duties are clearly and minutely pre-
scribed by law, and run in precisely the same
routine whoever may fill the Office. When
the Sheriff makes an arrest it is in pursuance
Of q warrant by some judge or court, which
he cannot disobey when he levies on
property it is in pursuance of the judgment
of court; when he executes a murderer
or delivers criminal to the State Prison it
is in pursuance of n judicial sentence. He
cannot take q step without direction from
his superiors or some specific mandate Of the
law. If he exceeds or falls short of his duty
the Governor of the State can promptly re-
strictly ministerial ofiicer-a mere servant of
the courts and the law-without any per-
sonal discretion. Ordinary intelligence and
average honesty suffice in such officers, be-
cause the incumbents have no other duty
than that of obedience. They have as little
freedom of action or will of their own as the
subordinates in the great municipal depart
ments. For this reason we do not much
concern ourselves about candidates for this
class of offices. They have little power to
affect the general welfare of the city, being
the instruments Of other wills than their own.
But we take an active interest in the nomi-
nation of city officers, whose duties are not
merely ministerial.
Among these that of the Mayor towers
above all the others in authority, influence
and importance The Mayor is the foun-
tain of official life and the responsible head
of the city government. He appoints the
chief officers of the municipal departments,
superintends them, holds them to their ac-
countability, and removes them with the
consent of the Governor. If he be an able
man Of resolute character he can order al
most everything in accordance with his
wishes. If new legislation is needed for the
city government respected and really able
Mayor has more influence at Albany than
anybody else. The HERALD. appreciating the
transcendent importance of this officer, and
recognizing the probability that party so
strong as the democratic party of this
city would elect its candidate, un-
dertook to prevent an Objectionable
nomination, and has reason to be
satisfied with its success. It broke
the prearranged ''slate." forced tho with
drawal of the slated candidate, and secured
the nomination Of citizen who, all things
considered, is the wisest and strongest Sc
lection the dominant party could have made.
Mr.. Ely is SO unassailable in point of char
acter, ability, experience and party standing
that no republican or coalition competitor
has any chance to be elected against him.
| He is certain to be our next Mayor, and he
will enter upon his duties with as large q
measure Of public confidence as has ever
| been given to ON incumbent of that Office at
| the time of his Inauguration. Afterward he
VIII DC Juugeu Dy MS actS ana not Oy MS
| previous record.
| The other nomination in which we have
taken deep interest is that for Surrogate,
an Office in relation to which party consider
i ati6ns should not have the weight of o
feather. We do not believe that any judicial
officer should be football Of party politics,
and least of all that of Surrogate. Whether
| the HERALD supports or opposes Mr.
Calvin depends on the character of
the man nominated as his competitor
! What we said q day or two previous
| to Mr.. Calvins nomination was an ex-
preston of our deliberate judgment:-"I
| the republicans should nominate filter can