The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-16

Responsible Mayor.
1t was a Frenchman who wrote that a
long and careful scrutiny of mankind had
shown him that most men are mortal and
it is because even the best of men are more
or less moved by selfish motives that the
exercise Of power without responsibility has
always led to misgovernment. The wisest
part OF our federal constitution is that
which. giving the President greater powers
than are possessed by any constitutional
ruler in Europe, at the same time makes
him openly and absolutely responsible to
the people for his acts and those of the
numerous subordinates whom he appoints.
At the end of every term the people pass
judgment on his conduct of the public
affairs, and at any time in his term he may
be impeached and removed for misconduct.
But the essential point is that at all times
he stands before the people responsible for
all that goes on by his will he, the Presi-
dent. and not some person or board sit
ting secretly behind him, moving him.
and using him and it is this close, INSOFAR
able union between power and RESPONSE
bility which coerces even a bad man in the
Presidential chair to serve the public, and
which enables the people to fix the respon-
sibility for NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. upon visi-
BILE and tangible person, whom they can
reach to punish or to reward
Nothing but confusion, inefficiency and
corruption could follow if it were under
stood that the President werc not response
BILE, but that the real Chief Magistrate was
some other officer not chosen by the people
nor amenable to their will, and that the
President was only his puppet. Everybody
would see the absurdity and danger of such
q system, which yet is not different from
that which sometimes obtains in our city
government. Suppose the Secretary Of the
Treasury were the real ruler Of the country,
and the President, who ostensibly appoints
him, were only his convenient tool and
different from the situation here if Comp
troller Kelly should be allowed to select
and elect the Mayor of the city. The real
Mayor, everybody would understand, would
be Mr.. Kelly; he, and not the Mayor, would
carry on the city government would APP
point the officers and administer the public
affairs. But he would never be amenable
to public censure If matters went wrong
the poor Mayor would be abused, the Comp
troller, the real Mayor, would always evade
responsibility by hinging the blame upon
the fgurehead he had put forward as q
shield.
We have never doubted Mr.. Kelly's sin
cere desire to serve the city; we have praised
his management Of the Comptroller's Office
but we do not think he ought to act-even
with the best purposes-the part of an ire
sponsible power behind the throne He
wishes to rule New York, and he believes
he could rule it we'll we will not dispute
with him, but we ask him, ''If you want to
rule, why not be Mayor? Why give the
nomination to one Of your friends? That
does not deceive the public aud what is of
more importance to you, Mr. Kelly, it does
not raise You in the public esteem, but the
contrary. Why not take the Mayoralty
nomination yourself2"
Mr.. Kelly has had long and thorough
experience of the city's affairs. He is
honest. faithful, capable. We have no
doubt he would make good Mayor, if he
were Mayor; but we are sure he will make o
very poor Mayor if he is only Comptroller.
He is not fit to WELD irresponsible power;
no man is But rs Mayor of the city, elected
by the people, responsible to them for all
his acts able to count on the support Of all
good citizens when he does well, feeling
that the credit for good government and the
discredit for maladministration will alike
fall upon him, we have no doubt that he
would fill the Office satisfactorily to the
public and to himself
One thing is certain; If he dominates one
of his friends this will, as it ought to, con-
centrate upon his ticket, and upon himself,
o united opposition which will have the
public sympathy, because it will be felt as
kind Of insult to the people to see Mr..
Kelly assuming to make Mayor of one of
his puppets, as Caligula made consul Of
one Of his horses. But if Mr. Kelly comes
out like a man and takes the nomination
himself he will disarm opposition, for no
one can deny that he is conspicuous among
the number of citizens who are fit for the
Office and some Of whom, like Mr. Bonner
and Mr.. John 7. Agnew. have to our regret
refused to allow their friends to nominate
them for the place.