New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-19
Seth Low.

There would be much JuSIiOe III
mo Seth Low as New York's First Clti-
zen He was born within the city's pres
ont limits. and that is true of only very
small percentage Of those who have az
tanned distinction in this community. He
snent his entire life here, and of nearly all
the admirable work which he did this city
was the immediate and foremost bene-
ficiary.
Possessing means and leisure insurlng
him an absolute freedom in the choice OF
q career, he elected TO serve his fellow citi'
zens. And he served them with zeal and
devotion for thirty-fve years, whether ne
was holding office as Mayor and fighting
the battle of civic regeneration against
corrupt political organizations, or reor-
ganizing and revitalzing the city's leading
institution Of learning, or giving his time
and thought to the development OF New
Works trade and commerce and the better
ment of industrial conditions here and
elsewhere through the application of the
principle of arbitration in disputes be-
tween labor and capital.
His greatest service was undoubtedly
in the political field, for in that field ne
was a genuine pathfinder. When ne was
first chosen Mayor of Brooklyn he intro
duced standards of efficiency and response
bility in administration which were move
in city politics. 1t is hard for the present
generation to realize the depths of cor
ruption and incapacity to which city gov
ernments had fallen forty years ago.
Power was in the hands of political plum
derers, and lethargic public accepted as
a matter of course government for the
benefit of the neutrality-suspicious. Nc
Laughlin school of politicians.
Mr.. Low entered politics with the fixed
notion that such government should no
longer be accepted as a matter Of course
He shattered that wretched tradition in
the city of Brooklyn, and mis- success in
spired men of courage and public spirit in
other communities to preach successfully
his gospel of honesty and non-partisanship
in local government and of administration
in the public interest and for the common
good
The traditional American system Of a
weak government with widely dispersed
powers broke down first and most signally
in our cities. 1t was not at all adapted to
densely populated communities. The
checks and balances scheme, under which
a mayor and numerous other Independent
elective officials divided responsibility with
a two-branch legislature or even one
branch legislature, resulted merely in
deadlock and impotency. The puppets in
Office represented the will Of the boss of
the ruling party. 1t was government from
a desk in Tammany Hall or from an auc-
ton room in Willoughby Street.
Mr.. Low set the fine example Of being
his own Mayor, not some political boss's
and Of depending on a non-partisan public
for support. He helped greatly to open
the eyes Of the American public to the new
and imperious demands put upon city gov
eminent by the increasing complexities OF
city life. Municipalities quickly recognized
that weak, diffused scheme of govern
ment, well enough adapted for sparsely
settled communities, could not minister
properly TO their needs.
A centralized, highly organized govern
mental machine is the only salvation for
the city. So we have moved rapidly tow
ard the abolition Of boards Of aldermen
and other cumbrous legislative councils
and the concentration Of power in one
executive head or in some small governing
board-either commissioners or a body
like our local Board Of Estimate and APP
portionment.
This sensible abandonment of an an.
cient and outworn model is bound TO have
a farreaching effect. II represents for
ward step--a step toward general eimi
nation Of inefficiency in state, and possibly
in national, government. Mr.. Low may
not have had a provision Of the exac'
course which the regeneration Of city gov
eminent was 10 take, or foreseen how
widespread It's political effects were coins
10 be. But he cleared the way for recon
struction. And his fame will rest on thai
contribution 10 political development more
than on any other Of his numerous anc
generous public services.
Columbia University owes him its pres
cnt status az one Of the greatest educa
tional centres in the country. The work hi
did at a critical period Of It's career Others
haye builded on. Yet his was the main in
SEPARATION Of the wonderful expansion Of
Colunbia's activities in the last two
decades.
A citizso Of the Highest type. soother