The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-29
Our Municipal Administration for
1879 and It's Complexion.
'FORECASTING THE FUTURE.
Legislative Action To Be Invoked and
Reforms lnaugurated
NEW YORK'S OFFICIAL ROLL OF HONOR.

about to assume control of municipal affairs
Next Wednesday Mr.. Edward Cooper quietly steps
into the Mayoralty shoes vacated by Mr. Smith Ely,
Jr. Mayor Cooper comes into Office under peculiar
circumstances He has always been democrat of
the old school His social position, the son of a
distinguished father and gentleman Of no ordinary
attachments gives him immediate prestige as Chief
Executive of tho metropolis. He has been elected to
the Office despite the bitter and powerful opposition
OF thoroughly disciplined political organization.
FOLLOW?
The question here naturally arises What is to fol-
low this decisive victory? Tainnany for the second
time under her present leadership, within period
of five years, finds herself PROSTATE before Mayor
and Board OF Aldermen pledged to strike at the
very groundwork which holds together her COM
pact organization. The strong chain surrounding
this democratic army in New York city is Of golden
fibre. Take away the patronage and offices which
give Tammany the almost absolute control OF over
S20.000,000 in patronage annually and she falls to
pieces from mere starvation. Her leaders do not go
into the organization wards and districts, work
ing night and day in the turgid waters of politics,
without prospects of speedy and ample reward
Neither in the republican nor democratic ranks
can philanthropists be found who will enter the
arena of politics simply for the public good-not at
all Something of more tangible nature is required
of their fellow and the honor accorded in inches
of fame and historical "Reminiscences are very well in
their way but the .oayes and fishes of official pap
possess far more substantial flavor Thus it is that
VIXEN men talk of fealty 10 set of leaders or the
other in Tammany Hall simply upon grounds OF
gratitude. personal esteem or principle they speak
of things with which they about as conversant as
the typical .dcestrick leader is with the beauties OF
heather mythology. Politicians will turn to the side
which holds the butter that is TO 80 their bread,
and the side that has not the dispensing of this
oleaginous material will be sure to get the cold
shoulder The analogy may be made perfectly APP
parent before many months of Mayor Cooper's adj
minstration have passed. Meanwhile the politicians
grope in the dark and await developments with
out chart compass TO guide them.
INSIDE STATEMENTS.
II will probably be several weeks before the be-
gins to fall so far as Mayor Cooper is concerned.
There is some doubt to whether the axe will
begin to descend at all, in view of the patching
up Of differences between Mayor Cooper. Comp
troller Kelly and Governor Robinson. This contin-
gency. however is not regarded with any degree Of
credulity by gentlemen who claim to know good
deal OF what is gong behind the scenes Just at
present. IN the interviews published two weeks ago
in the HERALD with Congressman O'Brien,
Comptroller Kelly aud Sachem Kcarney very
future Of the democratic party in this
city and State. James Bren advises Mr.. Cooper to
strike out of his path all the old leaders Of Tammany
Hail. on the ground that they will cfcctually block
his administration OF the citys affairs for the next
TWO years if permitted to remain in office. He
contends too. that the majority of the municipal
departments in the interest of corrupt
clique and that the people expect the new Mayor to
clear the whole batch. without regard to political
or personal considerations.
II snch course is adopted then people may expect
to see lively time city politics during the coming
year This is a simple course If the charges limited
at by Mr.. O'Brien can be substantiated Mayor
Cooper's path can then be made exceedingly
clear All he has to do is to submit these charges.
properly authenticated, to Governor Robinson, and
they will undoubtedly receive the approval Of that
gentleman. The heads Of the derelict officials must
next fall in the basket and vacancies be Immediately
filed by Mayor Cooper irrespective OF the confirna-
would undoubtedly be the greatest sufferer III
this wholesale slaughter Some people, how
ever. claim that such q proceeding might
lee looked upon as OF virrent partisan
character originated solely 10 subserye political
ends But it is argued on the other hand that the
public mind il decidedly ripe for just such move
inents The points raised that while the whole
country Is IN a state of stagnatlon, hundreds OF
thousands ont Of employment men women and
children actually starving for want OF the nccessaries
OF life, IL II not a proper thing for city and
county officials to draw enormous salaries and de-
their entire time to the acquisition OF wealth at
the public expense. Resrenchment, reduction and
honest administration OF public affairs. IL IL con
department Then follows the reasonable conclusion
a. urged that administration in this city founded
upon such principles will undoubtedly receive the
approval OF the whole people Officials like the
Sheriff Register and County Clerk. drawing, IL Is
said pcrqusites Of from $4,000 to 100000 per year
could well afford ii is urged TO discharge their duties
for at least onetcnth the amount. 1t is further
argued that the system of political organization
originated solely 10 furnish patronage and place
should be abandoned and the men who make bust
OF politics compelled TO earn living COM
inensurate with their tastes and abilities. The sys-
-lt. tal.l
troll Of all the fat things falling from the public crib
IN this city might thus BE- abolished and the metropo
lis brought back to the days when honesty and ca
pacty and not intrigue and political chicanery con-
trolled our destinies. So say the reforners.
The following are the names OF those heads Of de-
partnents whose terms expire during Mayor Coopers
administration
Charities and Corroction-Isaac H. Bailey, May !,
1879.
Parks-James +. wennan. May /. 1850.
Docks-Jacob A. Westervelt. May /, 1879.
Budings-walter ". Adams May 1. 1879.
Fire-Joseph l.. Perley. May !. 1879.
Taxes--John Wheeler. May l. 1872.
Comprehension Kelly December Z. 1880.
Commissioner Of Public Works-Aan Campbell,
December 20, 1872
Corporation counsel-wnlam c. whitney Dcccn-
Der Z. 1870.
Excise Commssionors-Richard J. Morrison, May
!, 1879: Philip Mcrklc May I, 1872
Two Police Judges 90 out in 1879 and two in 1880
LEGISLATIVE INTERFERENCE.
II seems 10 be pretty well understood that the
Legislature will pass a charter several inn
porant amendments 20 the charter OF 1873 under the
operations OF which arc living at present. In GER
tain influential quarters u il proposed to give the
Mayor absolute control Of appointments, taking away
the Mdcrmcns conhrmatory power. This would
leave Mayor Cooper entirely free and unhampercd by
political intriguanis. lie could designate the very
best men for heads Of departments police
justices city marShas and other offices.
regardless OF the opportunities of ward states
men leaders in the "deestricks" Another
proposition ~ made 10 pass sweeping charter,
TREY rCmOdclling the whole system Of city gov
eminent and doing away with many needless and OK
pensiye Offices. In connection with the subject Mr.,
Andrew H. Green then Comptroller of tine city al.
dressed a lengthy communication to the LegiSa-
turc Of 1876, in which nc reviewed the whole plan
OF our municipal government making many vaua-
bic suggestions. II l. sad that many Of those
suggestions VIII be adopted by the Legislature of
1879 The condition Of municipal affairs remains
nctl! in the same state when this exhaustive re-
view WAS prepared for transmission to Albany.
wflEruLLING Ar ALBANY.
The interesting communication was presented in
response 10 request ~ the Assembly, which set
forth that public sentiment demands an economical
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