The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-30

THE TAxM,NY cHiEFrAIN GIVES HIS REASONS
FOR NOT NOMINATING A MAYOR.

THE TAxM,sY cHiErrAIN GIVES HIS REASONS
FOR NOT NOMINATING A MAYOR.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD:--
have been absent from the city several days or
might sooner have expressed nv appreciation OF
the honor You have done me In siugling me out
irom the thousands OF Intelligent and public
spirited citizens OF New York 10 nominate candi-
date for Mayor. am unable to understand why
you have selected me for this service unless 1t be
because | am an active member OF the democratic
party But you should have known that Tor this
very reason, If Tor no other, | cannot consent 10
make such nomination. The democratic party
does not believe In one man power.
1t is opposed to CGsarism IL would
properly resent tine proposed exercise OF die
tatoria authority as an usurpation OF the power
that of right belongs to the people and should be
exercised only by them ana their chosen repre-
senratiyes AS a consistent democrat cannot
consent to set myself up as q nominating con-
ventlon--a committee OF onc--even to please such
an enterprising, instructing and generally fair
minded journal as yours
Furthermore, besides a personal unwillingness
to force myself before the public in any way
believe IN party organization ana discipline
am q party man on principle and am con.
WINGED that tho public interests would be
best served by party government The ex-
perience OF this city for the past twenty
five years proves that independent and
compromise candidates seldom make efficient
officers, while they sometimes become nagrantly
bad. You too well remember the combination OF
unsensh and unprincipled men, democrats and
republicans, who formed the Ring for purposes b!
plumber and robbed the city OF millions OF dollars,
ping up the enormous debt under which our tax
payers are suffering to-day. Had both parties been
thoroughly organized these men could not have
got the power, and had these men been held to
rigid responsibility by the parties to which they
belonged no such combination would have been
possible and the city would have escaped immense
losses ana indenble disgrace. AS q rule men who
are not true to party will not be true 10 the pub
tic in an Official capacity. The men who are con-
stanty drifting from one party to another. or
setting up in business on their own account,
as ''ctizens, 'reformers" and 'Independents,'--
the rfr ran OF our poltcs-are the poorest material
our offices can be filed with. The ambitions OF
these men usually outrun their abilities. and they
are much more ambitious to help themselves than
to serve the public. citizens who are not SUN.
cently interested in the public good to unite and
work with their fellow citizens In an organization
for the public good are likely to make Indifferent
public officers and have usually failed on trial FIX.
perience has conciusivey proved that the majority
of the leading officers OF the city should belong to
political party which has confidence IN them and is
responsible for their acts and which holds them to
rigid account for their oniciat behavior And If
the voters OF both parties would pay
more attention to this fact they would
have more capable and efficient and honorable
men to represent them IN public Offices. The Old
JeiYersonan test cannot be too rigidy applied to
pubic of1iceris he honest, and capable. and sum-
cienty conscientious TO discharge the duties OF his
Office faithfully, energetlcally and for the interests
OF the peopes The citizen seiected for Mayor this
fall should belong to a party. and have It's hearty
support una constant backing; and he should con.
sequently be selected by the party In the regular
way. TIE democratic party viii, doubtless.
select candidate OF such high character
and conspicuous fitness for the Office
that all democrats and all uncommitted citiz ems
who want good municipal government will be
glad TO vote for him. IL Is a matter for congratu-
lation that New York has so many able and worthy
citizens who II elected to the chief magistracy,
would honor the Office and the city by their wise,
efficient and public spirited course The interest
your influential journal has already shown In Sc
curing q worthy and competent candidate for
Mayor r. gratifying pledge OF Its support OF snch
| a,candidate when nominated. Very respectfully
| yours, JOHN KELLY.
| NEW YORK, August %, 1873.