New-York tribune., 1909-06-01
T4uu4yy SHOWING SIGNS.

The gossip about Tammany candidates in the
coming city election is suggestive Not hint
do we hear of an old-fashoned Tammany slate.
No CIilroys or Van Wycks are mentioned for
Mayor but only justices of the Supreme Court
or business men of excellent repute some OF
them not even identified with Fourteenth Street
Jerome is chiefly mentioned for District Attor-
new and there is not suggestion Of Tom
Grady or some other Tammany lawyer of that
stripe for the office. There is no talk of renomi-
mating Borough President Ahearn, who WAS re
moved from office and reelected by the Board
of Aldermen with contemptuous disregard of
public opinion. All in all, 1t is chastened
Tammany about which hear now, one which
thinks of vying with the Committee of One
Hundred in the quality of the candidates 1t viii
put UP.
To those who are saying that the anti-Tam-
many movement has no issue this attitude OF
Tammany is sufficient answer. To Judge from
its preparations. Mr.. Murphy's ring never ap-
preached municipal campaign with less conf
dence and to justify its lack of confidence there
are other things besides an excessive budget, an
enormous city debt and the failure of the pres
ent administration TO provide for subway de-
velopment. The temper Of the people all over
the country in relation to the subject Of mu-
nicipaI government has changed. and is rapidly
changing further and it is inconcevable that
this change has not affected and will not affect
New York.
There has never before been time when resi-
dents of cities have so turned their minds 70
the problem of securing better municipal gov
ernment The impulse is felt everywhere. New
charters of a highly experimental character are
constantly being adopted, and any successful
modification Of municipal government spreads
RAPIDLY The commission plan of city govern
ment is remarkable illustration. Several more
states during this last winter have authorized
some or all of their cities to adopt that model
and the question of authorizing it in Illinois is
before the Legislature Now, the spread of this
form of city government proceeds from discon-
tent with the results of the present system and
a belief that better results are being achieved
through city government by commission. Be
sides the change to this new type of municipal
administration, an extraordinary number OF
cities throughout the country obtained or en-
deayored to obtain new charters from the legis-
| atures of their respective states last winter
/ OF the bigger cities, three, New York, Boston
! and Chicago, were seeking important modifica-
! tions in their form of government. And Boston
success, which now appears probable, will be
solely due TO the intensity of public interest In
the improvement Of local government. The Bos-
ton charter is a radical experimental instrument
exceedingly disliked by politicians Of all parties.
but the force of public opinion supporting II
seems to have been Irresistible
This experimenting with charters, this prompt
adoption Of any change that promises to improve
city government is highly significant of the
popular attitude. The people have turned their
, attention in earnest to the removal Of that
standing reproach to American Institutions the
bad government of cities. They are not content
merely to punish the party in power occasion
ally when its conduct is uncomfortable, but are
trying to strike at the roots of the trouble. If
the present mood OF the public continues, q pro-
found modification of city government in this
country Will evidently be effected in the next
decade It is impossible TO believe that this new
spirit which is abroad everywhere will not be
manifested here in New York. and that it Will
not powerfully affect the coming election.