The New York herald., 1877-10-08
One-man Power I'm the City Cow
ernment.

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though it may prove to be transient, addi-
tion to his power, prestige and influence.
In the city election this fall Mr.. Kelly Will
dictate tho tickets, and the offices to be filled
this year being unimportant the candidates
whom he selects or sanctions will doubtless
be chosen. Besides the Aldermen who are
elected annually there is no political
eminent to be chosen except Reg
lister in place of Patrick n. Jones,
republican. This lucrative Office will go to
a democrat and be given to some friend OF
Mr.. Kelly. Two Justices of the Marine
Court are to be chosen in place OF Judges
Shea and Sinnott, and Judge of the Su-
preme Court (Which is not city Office at
Of Judge Brady expiring with the close of
the present year. Judge Brndy will GER
tainly be renominated by the democrats,
and he is so esteemed and popular that the
republicans would do graceful thing if
they should nominate him too and make his
election unanimous. An excellent exam
pie has lately been set in the Second
Of Brooklyn, is to be supported for
reelection without distinction of party.
Certain it is that Mr.. Kelly will make no
attempt to thwart the popular will in the
case Of Judge Brady, against whom he has
no grudge or grievance. Besides, Mr.. Kelly
got so Notifying rebuff last year when he
attempted to prevent the reelection Of
popular judge that he will be in no haste to
get his fingers burned again in the same fire.
The judgeships Of the Marine Court are not
important enough to provoke much of a con-
test, and if Mr.. Kelly has preferences
as to candidates he will be able to
indulge them without serious opposi-
ton. Everything that happens in con-
nection with the approaching city elec-
ton will therefore tend to confirm the
impression that Mr.. Kelly's signal VIC
tory at Albany has made him master Of
the city.
But if the same Offices were to be filled in
the city election of 1877 that will be filed
by the election of 1873 it might not be in
the power Of Mr.. Kelly to walk over the
course. When the time comes for the cleo
ton of new Mayor and other important
city officers Mr. Kelly will have his own
way only on condition that he respects
public opinion and defers to the popular
judgment. As soon as he is brought face
to face with an important city election the
press will become a potential factor in
municipal politics !; and although Mr.. Kelly
may propose the public judgment as uttered
through the press will dispose, unless
what he proposes accords with the
popular sense of fitness The press
of the metropolis is growing every year
more and more independent of party afilia-
tions in respect to city affairs, and of all the
humorous city journals, whether printed in
English, German or French, there is but
one on which Mr.. Kelly can rely for thick
and-thin support If the city journals do
not exert their power in this years election
it is only because they do not deem this
election important, the Aldermen having no
authority in the city government except over
petty matters. We warn Mr.. Kelly in ad-
vance that no political machine can control
the politics Of this city against the vigorous
opposition Of the city press. If his will is
uncontested in the trivial election of this
year it will not be safe for him to infer
that the conductors of the public
journals acquiesce in his supremacy.
Their present position is one Of
armed neutrality. They stand in IN atti-
tude Of expectation awaiting the use he
may make of his increased influence in the
democratic organization. They are as
ready to applaud rs to condemn, and
whether they give him support or censure
depends on himself. It is one thing to
capture State Convention of few hun
dred members by skilful manipulation and
quite another thing to silence the batteries
of the press in q great metropolitan
city. But even this latter and more
by the right method. All that is neces-
sary is sagacity to perceive and public
spirit to promote the true interests of the
city.
For our part, we have no objection to a
one-man power in the city if the power is
intelligently exerted for the public good.
Indeed, there are large spheres Of action in
which one-man power is beneficial and
almost indispensable. Our great railroad
corporations furnish one set of pertinent
examples. Mr. vanderbilt's control OF the
New York Central and Hudson, Colonel
Scotts Of the Pennsylvania Central, and
Mr. Garrett's Of the Baltimore and Ohio has
been invaluable to their respective roads
and great advantage to tho stockholders.
sound, clear head, supported by great
executive energy. is combination so rare
that any large business undertaking is for
tunate when it can get the services of first
class man Of this description. Such men
hold their ascendancy by the sheer
forco of their abilities. The great rail-
road corporations elect their officers an
nually, bnt Messrs. Vanderbilt, Scott and
Garrett are certain of perpetual recollection