The New York herald., 1878-10-13
The Interest OF the People OF New
York in the Local Election.

vote in the city of New York is always
larger at an election for Governor of the
State than on what is called an 'of'' year,
or when only local and minor State offices
are to be filed. From this it has been pre-
dicted that a full vote will not be polled
this year, there being no State issue to en-
list party feeling. The first days registra-
tion seems to warrant this prediction, the
number registered being twenty thousand
less than on the first day in 1876. Yet the
character of the municipal government is
of so much more importance to the citizens
of New York than the character of the State
government that an election involving the
choice of Mayor and other prominent
local officers ought certainly to excite
more active interest among the electors
than any State contest.
The ordinance to provide the necessary
means for the support of the city govern
ment tor the current year passed the Board
of Aldermen last Friday. The total amount
of the final estimate, including the per-
centage added to provide for deficiencies in
the tax levy, is over thirty and a half million
dollars, or, to be exact, $50, sos, SS8. New
York's quota Of the State tax and of the COM
mon school tax included in this large sum
amounts only to So, 91O, 900. The appropri-
ations for the judiciary, charitable institu-
tions and the deficiency percentage are
about So, $40, 900 more. The remainder of
the estimate, reaching over twenty-four
million dollars. is for the actual expenses OF
running the city government, including in
terest on the debt and small SUNLESS
than a million and quarter-for the re-
demption of the principal So far as the
pockets Of the people are concerned, their
interest in the city government, as COM
pared with their interest in the State
government, is as twenty-four million dol
lars to four millions. Extravagant or shift
less administration in the State might add
hundreds to the taxation of the city, where
extravaganza and shiftlessness in the mu-
nicipal government might add millions. So,
also, integrity and wise economy on the
part of our State rulers may relieve the city
Of New ork of few thousand dollars IN
its annual burden, while the same qualities
on the part of our local rulers may lift from
the shoulders of the taxpayers the load Of
millions.
There are other reasons than those of
pecuniary character why the people of New
York should take more interest in a
municipal than in o State election. The
city is greatly benefited by wise admins
tration of the State government. capable
and honest management of the canals
brings many advantages to our commerce,
and is probably of more importance to the
metropolis than to any other portion Of the
State. We share the common interest in
all our State institutions, and our city is
more readily affected by State legis-
lation for good or for evil than
any other locality can be. But no
| State affairs can concern us as nearly
and as deeply as those Of our
local government The public health. the
public morals, the protection of life and
property are all dependent on the capacity
and character Of our municipal rulers A
| Governor Of the State under our present
constitution has very limited power. The
veto is the most important of his functions
His associates in the State government are,
like himself, elected by the people, and his
appointments, with Insignificant exceptions
must be confirmed by the Senate. The
Mayor of the city of New York has
far greater authority in his sphere.
His appointments for the full terms
are subject to the approval Of the
| Aldermen, but he has the absolute
power of filling vacancies, and man of
strong character and shrewdness would not
long find it difficult to command majority
of New York Aldermanic board. The
| Comptroller, who manages the city finances;
the Commissioner of Public Works, who
controls the water supply, the sewerage
and the street pavements; the Police Com
missioners, who govern the police force
and supervise the street cleaning; the
Health Commissioners, upon whose capac-
ity depends the most vital interest of the
city-the public health; the Commissioners
of Parks, of Charities and Correction, of
Schools and Of the Fire Department are all
appointed by the Mayor. Terms expire and
vacancies occur only at intervals, it is true,
and NO one Mayor would be likely to enjoy the
opportunity Of filling all these Offices. But
a single corrupt official msy taint whole
department, and the public good demands
that all these positions shall be held by
capable and upright men. BY no other
means can efficient and honest government
be secured, and upon the character Of the
Mayor depends the character Of all ap-
pontive municipal Offices. The Mayor of
New York has also the power Of re-
moving heads of departments, and,
although this is subject to the Gov
ernor's approval, it is not likely
that an honest Mayor would ever exercise
il in vain. He also holds a supervisory
authority over all the municipal depart
ments, and, if fitted to rule, may make
In, Al.