Year: 1878




The politicians take so long to determine
on their candidates for the Mayoralty that
it would be well if the people should take
the matter in hand. Why will not q num-
ber of prominent citizens call public
meeting for this purpose? They could not
do better than place in nomination Mr..
Robert Bonner. Everybody who has spoken
has acknowledged his eminent fitness ior
the place even the lively Commercial Ad-
pertiser admits that it would with pleasure
support Mr. Bonner for Mayor If only he
were nominated by republican convention.
The Sun, the World, the Nail, the HERALD,
all unite in support of Mr. Bonner, and we
doubt ifany journal in the city would oppose
his election except on distinctly party
grounds, and such opposition would neces-
sarily be weak and ineffective. To deny
the city good Mayor, conspicuously
good Mayor, on the ground that he had not
received the approval of Tammany or of a
republican convention would be absurd.
Sensible voters would only say, $50 much
the worse Tor Tammany' or for the repub-
lican machine.


1t is not difficult to account for the hesi-
tation of the politicians. The next Mayor
will be man Of uncommon powers and
responsibilities. 1t will fall to him to
nominate persons to fill almost all the
offices of real Importance to the
city. During his term lie will have to ap-
point new Comptroller. Corporation
Counsel, Commissioner Of Public Works,
Commissioner of Charities and Correction,
Fire Commissioner, Health Commissioner,
Dock Commissioner and Commissioner of
Taxes and Assessments. That is to say, the
Mayor to be elected this fall will in fact
form new city administration. To the
people OF New York this is "a matter of the
greatest interest; TOR if the men whom the
next Mayor shall appoint are incapable or
corrupt, as most Of them will hold over for
will be ridden for considerable period
by officers who will injure its welfare; while
if we have for Mayor man OF courage, dis
cernment and knowledge Of men and of
the city's needs We may expect him to
secure us good government Tor longer
term than his own. That is the interest Of
the people, but of course the politicians
have another and very different stake in the
question. TO them the next Mayor appears
rs the dispenser of very valuable patronage,
and they would prefer man who would be
amenable to their entreaties or influences.
Even if any of them prefer the city to be
well rather than badly governed they still,
L,
their help.


Hence the Mayoralty is this year, both to
the politicians and the people, an office OF
extraordinary importance. Tammany would
prefer candidate who would look after
Tammany's interests. The republican ma
chine would like one who would take care
OF that. But the people would like Mayor
who would rule, and who would select and
appoint new officers with single eye to the
welfare Of the city. 1t is good time for the
people to speak out, therefore, and tell the
political organizers that, whatever partisan
objects these may have to subserve, the
city's growth and prosperity are and must
be the first consideration. Will not those
of our contemporaries who have named Mr.
Bonner in connection with the Mayoralty
and have promised him their support, unite
with the HERALD in urging great public
meeting Of citizens of all classes and occu-
pations for the purpose Of giving Mr.. Bon
ner peoples nomination? II this can be
done before either of the party organizations
has named it's candidate this popular dem
onstration could not fail to exercise
an important and probably decisive
influence on the action of one of the two
parties. We showed yesterday, by facts and
figures which cannot be disputed, that the
voters OF New York not only can, but will
defeat bad nomination, even when it is
made by 50 powerful body as Tammany
We do not doubt Mr.. Kellys sincere
desire to serve the city, and we believe
he would at heart welcome a demand
IRON the people which should help him
to resist and overcome the influences
which inevitably gather about him to
control O nomination in merely partisan
interests. He cannot afford o defea. of his
candidate at the polls; but his power in
Tammany and in the city would be greatly
strengthened If, with the help Of the peo-
pie, he should give the city Mayor unwel-
come to the merely self-seeking political
influences by which such leader as Mr..
Kelly is naturally surrounded, but ap-
proved by all good citizens.


What the city needs is Mayor who shall
attend to its business. II will easily for
give him If he omits 10 work for renomi-
nation. 1t will overlook any lack Of per-
s,nal ambition in him if it sees that he
is intelligently devoted to its welfare
If the people of New York should see
the next Mayor personally stirring up the
Street Commissioners and requiring clean
streets; il they should see him keeping n
vigiant eye on the rapid transit companies,