New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-15
MAYOR LOWS EXCELLENT RECORD

II -
1t is now more than fifteen months since Mr.
Seth Low entered upon his duties as Mayor Of
BROOKLYN. The Office had sought bim-not he
tie office; his nomination had been forced
upon the Republican party by the power vi
healthy ana united public sentiment; lie had
conducted an active canvass, without spending
. single dollar to advance his election; he had
been chosen Mayor by a large majority in 4
pronounced Democratic city over q candidate
who had twice before successfully competed
for the Mayoralty, and who had made good
record as public officer. The people OF
Brooklyn had grown tired of Bosses" and
Ring rule, and had determined to take
hand in their own affairs. They had agreed to
intrust to their Mayor extraordinary power,
and were bound for once to have Mayor OF
whom they could be sure that he would not
abuse his power or use it to compass personal or
partisan ends. In bringing about the nomina-
ton and election of Mr.. Low the Young Re-
publican Club took leading part, and they
deserved as they have received, great credit
for their energy and activity. But this result
would never have been accomplished If there
had not been something in the nature OF pop
ular uprising among the people of Brooklyn.
Altogether the Young Mayor assumed his
Office under the most favorable circumstances.
He was to WELD greater authority than any
of his predecessors; greater, probably, than
that intrusted to the chief executive officer OF
any of our cities. The power of appointing
and removing the heads of all tie city depart
ments was his without let OF ,hindrance. Two
years before, the Legislature had so amended
the charter of Brooklyn as to abolish the triple
headed commi ssiOns which controlled each Of
the principal departments Of the City Govern
ment, and to substitute therefor single COM
'n,issioners. The first commissioners appointed
under the new law were named by the Mayor
Controller and Auditor; the Mayor being
Democrat and the other officers Republicans.
The law provided, however, that the Mayor
elected in 1881 should have the sole power of
appointing and removing the heads of all de-
partments without the Intervention or cOnr-
nation of the Board of Aldermen. Under the
former system all the Mayors appointments
had to be confirmed by the Common Council,
and endless delays, chickering's and bargainings
were the result. The enlarged scope of the
Mayors authority was the central fact upon
which hinged the campaign of 1881.
All this is matter of history. Another cleo
tOn LOT AdlO Oh DlOOhlyn VIII DCCuI HtAl
November. Is not this good time to consider
how Mayor Low has fulfilled the expectations
that were entertained of him when he began
his career as a public oflcer2 How has he
borne himself in the Mayors chair Has he
been unfaithful to the trust which the people
reposed in him
We think it can truthfully be said that Mr..
Low has made model Mayor of our sister
city. Tue experiment in municipal self govern
ment which was begun across the river nearly
year and half ago has proved decided sue
cess. That Mr. Low has made some mistakes
cannot be denied that ne has not made every
department of the City Government perfect is
equally true. His administration has not been
what is popularity called brilliant. But it has
been clean, orderly, efficient. 1t has been
marked throughout by strong common sense.
Nothing has been done for the sake Of gaming
cheap notoriety or winning popular applause.
The Mayor has not striven after popularity
but that his administration has been popular i'll
the best sense is perfectly evident lie has
ever had the peoples rights at heart.
Shortly before Mr.. Lows principal appoint
ments were made we said that the success of
his administration would depend largely upon
the men whom he should choose to make up his
Cabinet. There can be no doubt that in filling
the various offices i'll his gift Mr. Low acted
wisely and increased the peoples confidence in