New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-04

a single financial step that has not tended to-
ward National dishOnor
MAYOR Low IND HIS APPOINTMENTS.
Mayor Low plainly has not had the fear of
the politicians before his eyes in making up
the list of appointments which has just been
completed. This, in fact, was the very thing
to be expected in view of his weli-knOwn IN
dependence of character and Of the clTcum-
stances under which he was nominated and
elected With Mr. Lows administration be-
gins a new era in the history of Brook
Ign and in the methods of administration
IN municipal politics. The Mayor Of Brook
lyn is now virtual autocrat: and if
he has not the power of life and death
in his hands, he has authority to ap-
point and remove the heads of the municipal
departments and other important officials, with
no one to gainSay or resist his will. This abb
soute power, it is needless to say should not
be committed to careless or incompetent
hands Mr.. Low was elected with a full
knowledge both on his part and on the part
of the people, of the grave responsibility
which would rest upon him when he entered
the Mayors Office His nomination was not
effected by the politicians who control Repub-
lican primaries caucuses and committees. 1t
was forced upon them by the irresistible pres
sure of popular opinion.
Look at the facts for moment. The Rcpub-
lican City Convention had named for its can
didate General Tracy. Many Independent
Republicans who had grown weary of Ring
rule on the part of the Democrats (whO are i'll
a majority in Kings County,, and of machine
rule on the part of the Republicans, had nOmi-
mated for Mayor Mr.. Ripley Ropes In this
movement the Young Republican Club, of
which Mr.. Seth Low was an active member
had taken the leading part. \ number of IN
dependent Democrats had also joined in it,
The Democrats had renOminatcd Mr.. Howell,
who had been elected twice by handsome ma
iorities, and the independent Democratic
movement had collapsed after putting General
Slocum in nomination. With two Republican
candidates in a Democratic city the sue
cess Of either was impossible. At length
Mr. Ropes and General Tracy, with commend
able magnanimity, agreed to withdraw in favor
Of Mr.. Low, who after several rcfusals had
consented to be candidate. The City Con-
vention reconyened and nominated Mr.. Low
without any opposition that was worthy Of
the name. Mr.. Ropes presented his with
drawal to a meeting of citizens similar to
that which first nominated him, and Mr.. Low
was accepted as a candidate with the utmost
enthusiasm. Democrats as we'll as Republic
cans worked, spoke and voted for him, and he
was triumphantly elected, although he did not
spend a dollar to secure his election, and en-
tered Office absolutely untrammellcd by party
ties or obligations.
Mr. Low has now performed the most I'M
D0rtant act of his administration. At least, it
is so regarded by the people, and the success
of his official career it has generally been felt,
would be determined by this act at the outset.
In making up his municipal Cabinet he has
gone counter to the traditions which 50 largely
prevail in politics. The promises he made
during the campaign he has not seen fit TO dis
regard and break now that he has entered
upon the duties of his Office. He has not con-
suited the politicians nor sought to cOnciliate
them in making his appointments. He has
ignored geographical considerations so far as
to take three or four of his advisers from the
ward in which lie himself has always lived.
lie did not let it be known in advance when
he was to appoint.
That Mr.. Low has done well and has COM
mitted no serious mistake thus far will not be
denied by anyone except those whose
so-called claims he may have disregarded,
or the political manipulatOrs whose adj
vice was not sought by inn. The clean
sweep which some expected did cot take place.
That doubtless would have been uawse. The
Mayor has reappointcd three officials: Police
Commissioner Jourdan, Tax Collector Tanner
and Mr.. John Truslow, the President of the
Department of Assessments. This was much
better than to appoint new men, for all
these officers have shown peculiar fitness
for the positions which they fill, and
have performed their duties creditably to
themselves and with entire satisfac ion to the
public. They are honest, efficient and pains
taking officers, and have justly earned their
reappointment Of the other appointecs It is
| unnecessary to speak in detail. Some Of them
are not widely known 10 the public; but this
fact may be to their credit. With his excel
lent good sense Mr. Low beyond ques-
ton has named no one whom he did not
know to be competent for the duties he is to
perform. While some regret that a civil en-
gincer was not placed at the head of the great
Department of City Works, all rejoice that
that Department is to be under the guidance
of a man like Mr. Ropes, who is so far
from being a politician that he is almost "a