The National tribune., 1886-12-09
MEN OF GOTHAM.
Facts Of Interest About the Mayors of
New York City.

that same municipality, which Is always DIS
posed 20 exagggrate its own importance, that,
in spite of all the schoming and Vaccinations
of IFS local politicians and the power and pa
trOnagc its Mayors have had, not one who has
held that Office has succeeded either 10 the
Presidency or the Vice Presidency, while a
Mayor Of Buffalo has secured the first prize
Three Of the Governors of New YoTk-George
Clinton, Daniel ID. Tompl1ins and Martin Van
Buren-became Nice-Presidents. Two of them
only-Nsn Buren, aud Cleveland-have secured
the Presidency.
But the general interest which has from the
Grst attached 10 the recent election for Mayor
of the city OF New York renders timely the
publication of a few facts in the history OF the
Office during the first 200 years of its existence.
From data cleaned from a variety of sources it
appears that the Mayors of the city of New
York have in most instances lived TO great
old age, and the fact that during nearly two
centuries, out of As different individuals, each
of whom served for one or more years as a
Mayor Of New York, il is recorded OF but one Of
them Edward Hollaud) that be died in Office
seems TO suggest that it is avery healthy one.
Hollands service began in l747, and he served
continuously until his death in 1756.
1t surprises those of the present generation
who are unfamiliar with the political history
of that epoch, 10 learn that Dewitt Clinton
resigned his seat in the United States Senate,
after serving only two sessions,
To BECOME MAYOR
of New York in 1903. He filled this Office with
an intermission Of only two years-lS07 and
lsl0-until lSl5, when he resigned.
But although the position of Mayor Of New
York city was then not only one of the greatest
honor and dignity, but also of great pecuniary
advantage in its legitimate receipts, We are
told that it was not on account Of either its
honors or emoluments that Clinton preferred
il 10 a seat in the United States Senate. His
reasons, as explained by one of his biographers,
who seems desrous Of saying the best of him,
show that the Office was not only of the great
est local importance, but OF national as well, as
a step toward the succession TO the Presidency,
either of the incumbent or of one whose inter-
csts he desired 10 serve.
In Jenkinss Lives of the Governors Of the
State of New York, /" pages % and 232 il is said
of Dewitt Clinton /" His career as a Senator
was soon closed. He remained in the National
Legislature but two sessions, and resigned his
seat in the Summer Of 1903, in consequence of
his receiving the appointment Of Mayor Of the
city of New York, as the successor of Edward
Livingston. AT that time the Mayoralty was
most dignifed position, and was sought after by
men of the most elevated standing and of the
highest order of talent. The judicial powers
annexed 10 the Office were great and the emolu-
ments so large as TO render il very desirable in
a pecuniary point of view. Mr.. Clinton accept
forthwith entered upon the new duties deyolyed
upon him."
Hammond. in his political history, has cen
sured Mr.. Clinton, whom he declared TO have
been looking forward
To THE PRESIDENCY"
for retiring from the Senate, an arena so well
fitted TO his talents, aud when their display
would have secured him the applause of the
Nation, TO take part in the disputes and dis
sensions of opposing factions in the State Of
New York.
On the other hand. Jenkins in his volume
explains that il was TO subserye the political in
terests of his distinguished uncle, Geo. Clinton,
solely that he retired from far more honorable
position and accepted the Mayoralty OF New
York. 1t was said by the Clintons and their
friends that Geo. Clinton had been defrauded-
TO use the term which they did not hesitate to
employ-of the nomination for the Vice Presi-
dency in 1900 by Aaron Burr; and the Vice.
Presidents up to that time having regularly
succeeded TO the ighest office, the second Office
was considered a certain step 10 promotion.
George Clinton was avowedly their candidate
for the succession TO the Presidency; and they
desired to elevate him 10 the position occupied
| by Mr.. Burr, at the next election, i'm order to
accomplish the great object they had at heart.
In 1902 and 1903 the State Of New York was
constantly agitated by the fierce contest be-
tween the friends Of Burr aud George Clinton.
1t WAS deemed OF paramount Importance,
| therefore, that George Clinton should have the
voice Of his own State whenever his claims
were again pressed, and il was thought TO be
| especially necessary that the city Of New
York, which was the center of the strife and
agitation between the Burrites on the one part
aud the Clintons and their friends on the other,
should have for its executive head and highest
/ judicial officer, person who was entirely de-
voted to the latter interest
Without disparaging the efforts made in other
! parts Of the Union, it may be said, with justice
that that great emporium was mainly instru-
mental in the
ELEVATION OF THOMAS JEFFERSON
10 the Presidency in $500. How natural was
| IL, then, that a fast friend of George Clinton
| should be selected for lis Chief Magistrate, aud
who was better adapted, or more likely 70 be
! chosen 10 fill this important position than his
own nephew, DE Witt Clintonf
"lt is impossible 10 doubt that he was in.
| fuenced by these considerations i'm accepting
this Office in 1893, and his course in this respect
comments his biographer Jenkns,) $50 faI
from indicating any want of shreWdness as has
been said when rightly viewed, appears TO have
been dictated by the most powerful motives Of
political policy"
At the time Of his Mayoralty New York city
contained about 10000 inhabitants.
Dewitt Clinton lived at 800 Pearl ST., in the
Old Isaac Roosevelt mansion, occupied in 1863
says the volume entitled The Old Merchants
OF New York City," by Harper & Bros.
The same work says that many gay scenes
were enacted there when he was Mayor and
Recorder. Clinton had married a daughter OF
Walter Franklin. who owned acres i'm the
neighborhood Of Franklin Square, 10 which
his name was given.
Mrs. Lamb, in her history Of New York
says: "Tbe MayOralty of New York was al
this time (lS03) post of great dignity aud
Importance. The Mayor not only presided over
the deliberations of the Common Council, but
wasthe presiding judge Of high court OF record
with both civil and criminal Jurisdiction The
emoluments were in the form of liberal fees
and pcrquisites and a few years incumbency
was equivalent TO
HANDSOME FORTUNE"
From 1865. when Capt Thomas Wilett, the
first Mayor ofAew York, succeeded 10 that office
10 1889, nearly 200 years later only As different
persons filled the post Of Mayor of that city
for although the Mayors were annually ap.
pointed, a number Of them were many time.
chosen. The two longest terms were those Of
Richard Narick and Dewitt Clinton each o.
whom held the Office II years; but the term o.
service OF the former was continuous while
that Of Dewitt Clinton was twice interrupted
The first Mayor, Capt. Thomas Willett
served in 1865 aud 1867, and his great-great
grandson, Marinus Willet, was Mayor in lsO7
The first Mayor Of native birth was Stephanu!
Van Cortland, who served in 1917, 'S6, 81
The first Mayor elected by the people wa
Peter Delaney, who was elected by q larg,
majority, in l65S and 1859. At that time, 4
may be remarked ha citv contained \,