New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-02
Mr.. GR4CES RETIREMENT.

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good will and respect of substantial and pub
lic- spirited citizens. His was a peculiarly try
ing experience in the Mayors chair. Elected by
a combination of Democratic factions clam
orous for sspols, the manner of his .nomina-
ton and the nature of the elements brought
together for his support made him an object OF
suspicion and distrust to the classes that we're
anxious to see the city we'll governed. But
he showed that he was not the tool OF any
@boss." His unexpected independence
alienated the faction leaders, and all through
his term he was Mayor without party. lie
would not submit to Tammany dictation and
he would not make terms with the Republican
machine. The County Democracy lent him q
haf-hearted aid at times, but he was not plant
and subservient enough to suit their pur-
poses. Under these circumstances 1t was
di ficult for him to get any nomination con-
firmcd by the Aldermen, and impossible for him
to count on the help of any party or faction in
efforts for genuine reform. Bearing in mind
the obstacles and embarrassments with which
lie had to contend, his administration must be
pronounced crcditable.
In the Board of Estimate and AppOrtionment
his voice and his vote were for just economy
But he was not blind to the growing needs OF
this great commercial centre Where liberal
expenditure " would bring about good results he
was not ungcnerous. Though Roman Catho-
lie he ncv er betrayed n wish to favor the insttu-
tons in which his faith was taught Mt the expense
of the public schools, and the educational
system of New-YOrk found him a steadfast
and sayacious friend. He did all in his pow er TO
nf rho Aldermen
IN lavishing valuable franchises and important
privileges upon unworthy corporations and
individuals. In his veto messages and his
other official documents he insisted on n proper
compensation for the city for grants OF every
kind. In these papers also he frequently aud
forcibly urged reduction of the enormously
excessive expenditures in the various depart
ments and that they be purged OF the political
parasites which continue TO fatteD IN 20 many OF
them. In his attempt 10 remove from Office
Police Commissioners who were VIGOROUSLY
unfit for the places which they dsgraced, no was
unfortunately unsuccessful. But his defeat was
not due to lack of evidence against the accused
officials. There was plenty OF that. 1t was due
to our vicious municipal system, which so
cramps and cripplcs the nominal head Of the
than paralytic
Because of the vices and 4 'ects of this
system Mayor Grace was to accom-
plish little. His voice was like tnat OF one cry
ing in the wilderness, and in our political desert
few paid heed to him. He seemed 10 got
discouraged by the failure Of his labors for
reform, and ut times descended to "practcal
politics" of an uncleanly sort. No apology can
fairly be put forth for the character of some Of
his appointments. 1t has been said that It was
necessary to make these bad appointments in
order that other more important and better
ones might pass the Aldermen. Doing evil that
good may come is a poor business for Mayors
as for other people But by all his official
utterances and by most of his official acts MIR.
Grace showed that lac was trying 10 cleanse
and improve the rusty, foul and jmring
machinery Of our City Government With the
exception Of the few unfortunate appointments
referred to, his administration deserves to be
kindly remembered. We thought very i'll Of
him when he was elected 4; and it gives M the
greater pleasure to be able TO speak thus of
him rs he goes out of Office.