Year: 1876




Since the amendments of the State consti-
tuition, which took effect in January, 1875,
the Governorship of New York has become
one of the great prizes Of politics. 1t has
always been an Office Of high dignity, al
though one of slender emolument But in
the station has rendered our most eminent
citizens willing to accept it, the honor of
governing this great, populous and wealthy
State, the seat of an imperial commerce and
great centre of intelligence and political
influence, having been sufficient to tempt
ambition, although involving pecuniary
sacrifice. The State has reason to be proud
of its long list of illustrious Governors, COM
prising many of the most eminent names in
national as well as State politics. Not to go
back more than forty years, our guberna-
torial chair has been filled within that
period by such statesmen as Marcy,
Seward, Wright, Fish, Seymour, Dix,
Tilden, and others of almost equal note.
| Governor Tilden is the first to receive m
adequate salary, but when he accepted the
nomination there was no certainty that he
would be better compen sated than his pred
ecessors. The constitutional amendments
were adopted at the same election by which
he was brought to the head Of the State gov
ernment. and he has the benefit only of the
increased salary, but not of tho heightened
tenure For the first time in our political
history Governor is now to be elected for a
term of three years. and it is known before
hand that the salary will be ten thousand
instead of four thousand dollars. Besides
the salary the Legislature makes an annual
appropriation of four thousand dollars for
the rent of the Governors house, making his
actual compensation fourteen thousand
dollars year. This is more desirable
Office than any other in the United
States, with the single exception of
the Presidency. The Vice President
and the Secretary of State are paid
only ten thousand and the Chief Justice
ten thousand five hundred, with no al
lowance for house rent The Governor
ship of New York has become so important
that it will be eagerly sought, but we have
no reason to expect higher grade of incum-
bents than have filled it heretofore.


Important as the prize has become it is
not likely to be awarded this year to mere
merit. Both parties are likely to select their
candidates with view to heal divisions and
cement harmony in their own ranks; but if
the republicans should nominate Mr. Evarts,
who has always stood aloof from the quarrels
of factions and is, therefore, good compro-
mise candidate, they would also, in the
event of his election, give us Governor
who deserves to rank with the ablest of the
great men who have filled the office in
former times. On the democratic side no
name has been mentioned of such high dis
tinction as that of Mr.. Evarts: but it hap
pens on that side, too, that the c,.ndidate who
could be accepted by both factions without
any sacrifice of pride would make worthy
and accomplished Governor. Mr.. Clarkson
n Potter is one of the most respected citi-
zens Of the State, and he stands almost
equally high in the esteem Of democrats and
republicans. He was constantly reelected
to Congress so long rs he would consent to
serve, and no member Of that body won q
more enviable reputation for integrity, fair
ness, candor and patriotism. He belongs to
the school of liberal progressive demo-
Gratis, and takes larger and more enlightened
views of public questions than majority Of
the leaders of his own party. His intel
lectual culture and social accomplishments
would grace any Office, and he would be
personally as well as politically one of the
most popular chief magistrates the State
has ever had. Mr.. Dorsheimer is likely
to be his leading competitor in the
Democratic Convention, but Mr.. DORIS
heimers strength lies almost entirely
in the preference of Governor Tilden.
AS between him and Mr.. Potter there
could be no doubt of the result if the
question were left to the free action Of the
Convention. 1t is impossible to harmonize
the party on Mr.. Dorsheimer, and therefore
inexpedient to nominate him for Governor
The whole party is willing to manifest it's
confidence in him by denomination for his
present Office, and with that so recent n re-
cruit ought to be contented. Potter for
Governor and Dorsheimer for Lieutenant
Governor is the wisest ticket the democrats
can nominate, both for re-establishing har-
mony in the party and for attracting outside
support.


The Impure Croton Water.


The impurity of the Croton water is