The New York herald., 1879-01-07
Mayor coopsr,s suggestions.

rather in the nature of an inaugural address
than of regular message. In this docu-
ment he makes satisfactory declaration of
his intentions, and points out the leading
objects which should engage the atten-
tion of the city government. Mayor
Cooper understands clearly enough that
he needs to 90 more into particu-
lars in the various subjects touched
upon in what he calls "a few gen.
. eral suggestions" respecting the policy
which he will think it his duty to pursue.
He will make specific recommendations
when he "shall have been long enough in
Office to have become familiar with the ac-
tual condition of the various departments
of the city government" The new Mayor
evinces sound judgment in Withholding
specific recommendations on points which
he does not yet understand. We shall re-
gard this as promising indication unless
it should become apparent with the lapse
of time that he lacks capacity to form
or courage to assert precise and definite
opinions as to the best methods of
attaining his ends. We are encour-
aged to believe that the tendency of his
mind is to act with foresight and prepara-
ton by what transpired yesterday in con-
nection with his first veto. 1t was sent to
the outgoing Board of Aldermen, and the
point was at once raised that Mayor Cooper
had exceeded his authority. 1t was sug-
gested that the question ought to be re-
ferred to the Corporation Counsel for his
official opinion. But it presently became
known that the new Mayor had taken the
advice of that officer and that his veto was
not prepared until he had been advised that
it was within the limits of his authority to
negative acts of the expiring Common
Council. The combined caution and
vigor exhibited in this veto betoken a
fitness for responsible duties But the in
cident is too slight to build much upon,
although we are willing to construe it in
accordance with our good wishes. The new
Mayor has not been long enough in Office to
warrant predictions of either success or
failure. We shall treat him fairly, and must
say in candor that his beginning is all that
could have been expected from any citizen
elected to the Mayoralty without previous
experience in municipal affairs or official
experience of any kind.
We are constrained to approve of the
leading positions in Mayor Cooper's first
communication to the Common Council.
The aims which he processes are such as the
HERALD hos advocated with unfagging zeal
for many years, and if Mr.. Cooper is the
Mayor who is first to give them practical
effect he will find the HERALD among his
warmest supporters. We are pleased to
find that Mayor Cooper does not adopt the
narrow notion that the mere saving Of
expense is a proper test of the value of a
municipal administration. The HERALD
has always maintained that the city
must spend whatever may be necessary
for health, Tor cleanliness, for an abundant
supply of water, for solid pavements in the
business portion Of the city, and, above oil,
for proper dock Accommodations for the
cheap transshipment of products. II would
be penny wise and pound foolish economy
which should aim to lessen taxes by cur
failing conveniences for the transaction of
business. We rejoice that Mayor Cooper.
though borne into Office on q strong cry for
economy, has the good sense and sagacity
to insist upon the onward march Of needed
improvements. 'The increase Of popula-
tion and resources" says the new Mayor,
(which has characterized the city during
the present century should not be checked
through the want of enterprise aud wisdom
in utilizing the natural advantages with
which New York is favored" We must do
whatever is necessary for heading off the
diversion to other cities of business which
naturally belongs to New York; and it will
be found in this, as in many other matters,
that an ounce Of prevention is worth a
pound of cure. There are some things
with which we cannot dispense if we ore to
maintain our rank as q commercial city. It
is not question of what we "may" have,
but of what we ''must" have. We must
have clean and we'll paved streets we must
have ample and convenient docks we must
have cheap and unrivalled facilities for
transferring upon shipboard the products
we receive from the West The con-
tinued growth of the city, nay, the very
life of this city as the commercial metropo-
lis of the Western Hemisphere, is staked
upon the advantages we offer for the cheap
transaction Of business. If the furnishing
of such advantages requires the expendi-
ture of money we must spend whatever
may be necessary for this purpose, without
grudging. We are glad that Mayor Cooper
accepts this view. 1t is not taxes that the
city should complain of, but taxes which
are diverted and wasted to maintain vast
army of political hangers on instead of
being expended for necessary uses. Intolli-
gent citizens will not complain of taxes if
they get the worth of their money. Taxes
for such improvements AZ are really made
enhance the value of property. We can af-
ford to pay the reasonable cost Of clean
~l.ssxl L. 49,