New-York tribune., 1899-07-30
THE MAYORS TERN.


mittee, who is desrous that an extra session Oh
the Legislature should be called at an early Ga!
for the express purpose of amending the charter
by reducing the Mayors term to two years ana
nrov,dine for the election of his successor the
coming fall, has been quoted as saying that II
this step were not taken the work of the COM
mittee would be in vain. witnesses VINO couiu
prove that municipal conditions are far more
dreadful than even NEWCOMERS Imagine are
said by Mr. Moss to be afraid to testify. feeling
sure that the Mayor would take vengeance Oh
them during the next two years, whereas II the
Legislature should give the voters chance 10
turn him out In November such witnesses would
he available.
1t NAV be said Of Mr. Moss's remarks that
they suggest q rather excessive desire on MS
part TO make the investigation In which ne is
honorably engaged n striking success, WITHOUT
sufficient regard TO other considerations, as II
that were m indispensable necessity and every
thing else Of secondary Importance But we 90
not suppose he means just that His belle1 pre-
sumably Is that II the requisite facilities were
nut at his disposal he could produce convincing
proofs of the existence Of such state or al
fairs as would be generally recognized as re-
ouirnc n change of administration at the earl
est possible moment. and that inasmuch as such
n state of affairs actually does exist at the pres
ent moment, and is likely to grow worse instead
of better, the means Of proving Its existence
ought TO be provided.
Now. we do not question Mr.. Moss's sincerity
and we are not disposed to think that he exag
gerates the evils which he is anxious to expose
10 the uttermOst. But 1t cannot be said that ne
has produced many novelties thus far IN the
course of the investigation, and we doubt the
mower Of his committee under the most favora-
hle circumstances 10 startle this community Into
n moral and political revolution, though such an
uprising might be useful and inspiring. The
fact Is that the majority OF voters variousiy
made up who cooperated in 1897 to prevent the
election of Seth Low knew just about what they
had to expect from q restoration of Tammany to
mower and the extension of its tyranny over
largely increased territory and population. Hav-
ng made their bed it Is logical to say the least
that they should lie in 1t during the full term Tor
which they invited that fate, and we have been
hopeful also that the experience might do them
lasting good. To cut 1t In two by the arbitrary
Intervention of the Legislature might be risky
experiment
At all events the attempt might be dangerous.
That, as 1t seems to us, is a consideration whlch
1t is necessary to take into account. The Amer
lean people in general have an aversion for ma
rpuvres which have an appearance of bad faith
and sharp practice, and we are not aware that
the citizens of New-York are an exception 10
the rule 1t Is by no means impossible that in
! their eyes such an amendment 10 the charter as
/ Mr. Moss advocates would wear that aspect and
! consequently arouse their contempt, so that the
issue which he regards as pre-eminent would
not have the first place In the campaign, but be
left in the background, while the issue of fair
play In politics, or what would be champoned as
fair pay would come TO the front and control
+ the result. In that case Tammany, and In all
probability Mayor Van Wyck himself would
emerge from the election with the practical as
sets If not the moral strength of popular vim
dication. and the subsequent situation Of the city
would be worse than its present situation.
II is not improbable that these thoughts have
occurred TO the Governor, together with the ad
ditional reflection that II an extra session were
called for the purpose Of cutting down the
Mayors term votes enough TO accomplish thai
object would almost certainly not be forthcom
ing. Altogether, he is likely to conclude If he
has not done so already, that the present Legis
loture has exhausted its usefulness, and should
| he allowed to pass out of existence without any
further demand upon its services.