New-York tribune., 1902-06-28
GOVERNOR AND MAYOR.

| l,o,-or,,or OdaIl.s views of the popularity OF
the city administration of NeW-nork are "a
tramely significant. Other observers nave ia
tha last few weeks felt that its work was grow
inc, in anpreciaton and if is interesting to nave
that Judgment confirmed by a man OF the "oN
ernors political experience ana acuteheSs III
measuring public opinion No man IN lhe S'''e
is better fitted TO form a trustworthy estlul'ste
of NIsvor- Lows strength with the people He
saws that this strength is increasing every udA'
and points out: You no longer hear the harsh
CRITICISMS of Mayor Low that many persons
.indulged in not long ago. The city admins
..tration is surely winning favor. Personally L
| ..neypr had any doubt about it l have always
..felt that Mayar Lows critics would eyentualy
..see that their hostile attitude was mistaken
If is perfectly evident that there has been
decided change in sentiment within the last TWO
months In March and April it was a common
fling to hear .the man in the street pronounce
the reform administration failure and predict
the return of Tammany to power by sort Oh
common consent. Every dlSappolnted ONCE
seeker, every enthusiastic re1ormer WIN pei
scbame that had not been adopted, every citi-
zen who had not seen an utter transformation
in the conditions of city existence so that dust
no longer blew in his eyes and crowds no longer
kept him from seat in the cars, began voluoiy
to express his disappointment. That stage OF
sweating through which every administration
from which anything good is expected has TO
mass has been endured The unreasonable
critics have worn themselves out and have
discovered that while they have been fauit-
finding the city officials have been making prog
ress with improvements. Tammany admins
tration never is subjected to such trial IL is
nerfectIy understood from the start what sort OF
government will result. Reformers are never
disappointed. and spoilsmen get what they eA-
pect A reform administration always takes
office amid extravagant hopes, which are OF
necessity not realized Consequently there is
always the period of reaction, and people WHO
GOT manic stricken by it conclude that the end
of reform has come. The Strong admlnistra-
ton suffered from such reaction. and loud We're
the cries for a return TO Tammany. Yet large
majority of the voters of New-Iork were at the
end of Navor Strong's term still against Tam
MANY only they were SO unfortunately divided
that they accomplished nothing.
At an early stage in his administration Mayor
Low has forced the reaction, and the popularity
of reform is returning. People see that pubfc
work is better done, that money Is honeSuS
spent that gradually old abuses are being cor
rpcted. and that life is better worth living Tor
the average man. They appreciate the lnJus-
tice of demanding perfection or sudden trans
formation, and coming to trust those VINO
are seen to be making progress. The situation
is hopeful the great body OF the people are
glad Tammany is out of power and wish 1t to
stay out Governor Odell significantly declares:
1T certainly is the duty Of Republicans TO stand
"by Mayor Low. They should defend his ad-
ADMINISTRATION with vigor" That is the answer
of the head of the Republican party in the State
| TO the predictions that the party organization
| would not long be true to its municipal non
partisanship principles, but at the next election
| would stand aside from the anti-Tammany
forces and allow Tammany to return TO office.
The party is loyal 10 the work it undertook in
| belping to elect Mr.. Low. is supporting him
| lovallv and will work at the next election for
| the continuance of honest government.