New-York tribune., 1901-11-16
FR LOWS FIRST APPOINTMENT.

Mr. Low has quickly followed the general
promises of his admirable speech at the City
Club dinner with a specific performance OF the
highest excellence The selection of Mr.. George
l. Rives for Corporation Counsel more than
meets Dopuar expectation TO the character
and standing of Mr.. Lows assistants LII fully
meets the hopes of the most exacting ldeallsis'
who would scarcely have believed. much as
they might wish it. that Mr.. Riyes could De III
duced to take this office. Mr.. Rives is one OF
the most successful and universally respected
lawyers in the city. Next to Mr. Low MN
self be was The favorite in the anti-Tammany
conference for the mayoralty nomination He
was president of the Charter Revision Commls-
sion. on which he did excellent work, and he is
therefore peculiarly qualified TO advise his
future associates. His experience as a Rapd
Transit Commissioner will also be OF great ser
vice insuring the most expert and intimate CO.
operation Of the law department with the
other authorities for the prosecution or this
great enterprise. which the Tammany Mayor
and Corporation Counsel so long delayed.
Mr. Lows appointment of Mr. RlTes sets
standard for officeholders in this city which
raises administration to higher plane than we
have been accustomed TO. 1t means that the
city is to have the benefit OF the most able men
intrusted to persons to whom the average citi-
zen would never dream of committing his pri-
vate affairs is to be managed with all the dill
gence and faithfulness which they give to pri-
yate trusts by men who have the absolute con-
fidence for integrity and ability of business
men who seek carefully and pay anything neces-
sary for those qualities. The Mayor who starts
off with an appointment like that OF Mr.. Rives
has conception of the kind of men needed for
public office and an ability to secure them that
guarantees the character Of the whole admin
istration. After this there can be no trouble
about securing fit assistants Mr.. Rives, in re-
spending to the new Mayors CALL has set an
example which other men Of his calibre must
needs follow. If he can make the sacrinces
necessary to take public office they can. AS
The Tribune has hitherto said, the leaders in
private life who have desired the redemption
of the city from Tammany corruption do not
find their duty done with one election They
are bound to sustain the Mayor they have
chosen. and give their own time and talents to
making reform government q success whom
soever Mr.. Low may pick out as especially
fitted to achieve the high purposes OF the ad-
ministration in any department is in honor
bound. if he has the physical strength, and can
leave his business without actual hardship to
his family, 10 respond 10 Nudt IL 10 IiuSH d
draft on patriotism as is call to bear arms in
time of war Mr. Rives has promptly given his
services when required. Other men cannot be
less devoted TO the public welfare, and Mr. Low
cannot fail TO get men ready to serve in other
departments who will measure up to the stand
ard already set.
Immediately after the election Mr.. Shepard
spoke of the result as the triumph Of destructive
over constructive principles of reform. If the
most able and eminent citizens of New-York
can be induced to deal with the problems Of
municipal government in every department the
new administration will become in the highest
sense constructive. Let New-York once become
convinced that its concerns deserve and COM
mand the attention Of men who would be
credit to State or nation in most exalted Offices
progressive and businesslike management Of
affairs and they will much scorn to put the
CITY back into the hands Of the Van Wycks,
Deyervs and Scannells they would scorn to
nut the nation under such control When they
have city government to be proud Of they will
take pride In it and sustain it. The notion has
been so long cultivated that first class men can
not be expected in city offices that voters have
fallen into the habit OF putting up with the in
ferior sort They know men Of the right stamp
when they see them, and when they learn that
they can command the services of such men
they will surely continue TO do so.