New-York tribune., 1902-01-01
THE NEW CITY GOVERNMENT.

For two years to come the affairs of this city
are TO be conducted in the interest Of its inhabi
tants. Such at least is the firm purpose o. the
new administration, and all that is known OF its
most important members inspires general conf
dence in its success. Doubtless mistakes will
be made, but they will be honest mistakes, and
! they will be promptly recognized and, as far
as possible. corrected. The government will be
carried on openly. not in secret. 1t will invite
constant scrutiny and fair criticism. 1t will
appeal for support to the great mass of the
people whose business Il has been commissioned
10 transact, not TO organization. group of
favorites, a single individual working for his
own pocket all the time.
Mr. Low becomes the Mayor of New-York in
the prime of his powers. His experience as the
head of great municipality while still young
man viii be OF signal value to him as he takes
up far heavier and more complicated task; but
with due recognition of his substantial services
TO Brooklyn years ago. il is proper to say that
his responsibilities as president of Columbia
during the period of its transformation into
university have enlarged his practical knowl-
edge and matured his Judgment, so that he is
able TO devote much finer equipment TO the
work he begins to-day. AS to his personal honor
and the sincerity of his desire give the people
the sort of government they meant to secure,
only one opinion is or can be held.
Mayor Low succeeds to the exercise of powers
which have been used as to put many serious
obstacles in his way. but he has the advantage
of being surrounded by men who will endeavor
TO remove them as expeditously as possible.
He has been wise and fortunate In his own
selections and he is assured to a large extent OF
faithful cooperation the part of those who
were elected with him last November. Under
Colonel Partridge and his chief subordinates the
consequences of a corrupt police administration
will not Immediately disappear, but il is certain
that the department will not remain for single
day the organized ally of vice and crime. We
believe. moreover that majority OF the force
are men of respectable character who are happy
in the prospect Of escaping from base associa-
tions and joining in the indispensable work of
rehabilitation which the new Commissioner is
sure 10 begin without delay. If there is some
anxiety lest Mr.. Jerome's impusive nature
should occasionally lead him astray, it is a
great satisfaction 10 know that the powerful
office Of public prosecutor has been intrusted to
n man who is already terror to eviIdoers and
who is incapable OF being corruptly influenced
to start stay the machinery of the criminal
law. AS the head of the Finance Department
Mr.. Grout. a relentless foe of jobbery, will be
expected to carry out Controller Coers best
intentions. unhindered by political ambitions,
munity at one time hoped TO thank his disap
pointing and disappointed predecessor. Other
branches Of the government are believed TO be
for the most part in the hands Of men sincerely
devoted TO the public welfare, while in some
instances the ideal standard would seem to
have been reached.
Mayor Low is specially favored in that. begin
ming his administration under a virtually new
charter he has secured as his chief legal ad-
wiser the chairman of the commission that
revised it. Mr.. Rives is probably familiar
with the instrument than any other person,
and his wise counsels will enable his associates
TO apply its provisions readily and inteigenty
TO the management of public affairs. The char
ter is believed to have been greatly improved
by the changes it has undergone and TO be well
adapted TO the purposes of an efficient govern
ment 1t will at least have a fair chance TO
demonstrate it's excellence not only because Of
the officials who have been chosen TO execute II,
but also because of the state of public feeling
There are abundant indications of general good
will toward the new men and the new regime
In distributing the places at his disposal Mr.
Low has avoided the rock which the Strong
administration ran The credit is largely but
not wholly his, for the forces that combined to
elect him have shown little disposition either to
embarrass him in the choice of his assistants or
to complain Of his decisions. Thus far the
admirable spirit Of the campaign has been we'll
maintained. and there is reason to hope that q
majority much larger than that by which 1t was
created will sustain the incoming adninistra-
ton to the end.