Year: 1870

can be placed upon the programme for wnicn
| the democratic leaders succeeded In obtaining
legislative sanction, an executive approval,


and bringing to decided success throughout,
we cannot fail to enjoy in the future Q most


excellent city government. But the enact
| ment of good law and the honest aud vigorous
administration Of that law are different things.
| The fact stands uncontradicted, to the disgrace
of the country, that for ten years or more
| New York has been the worst and most wick
edly governed city In the world We say to the
disgrace of the country; and we may add to the


detrlment Of our national character and insti-
tutlons, because foreign nations have become
accustomed to regard New York as the type
of the whole republic. Looking at 1t as the
centre of commercial wealth, power and en-
terprise, they naturally identify the good or
evil Of its government as reflections Of the
government of the entire country. We cannot
blame the people of Europe for entertaining
this poor opinion of us, when they read OF the
disregard of law, justice and morality which


prevails here-the looseness which pervades
our minor law courts, the peculations which





full taxation which presses upon all classes of
our citizens.


Now, however, we look through a pleasant
vista towards the hope that lies beyond. We
have got an excellent new form of government.


That it was perfected in Albany only proves


the familiar saying that some good can come
out of Nazareth. At all events we have got
the elephant, and it now remains to be seen
what is to become Of him. AS wise scheme
the skilful brains that planned the Charter did
not include in the new form Of local govern
ment the abolition of all the existing commits


sions, but simply so changed the personnel,
and defined the duties of each, as to conform
to the new order of things consequent upon
great political revolution. Most of these COM
missions are already organized, and are in
| preliminary stage of work. The people look
to them anxiously for the development Of
the new system. The Office seekers are the
most anxious of all but, although they are
legion, they are not the people. There is
ample guarantee, we think, in the character of
the men whom the Mayor has appointed, as
well as in the amplitude of the powers which
the law confers upon all these commissions,
for such an admirable management Of our local
affairs as we have not known for years past.


All the commissions should 80 combine their
duties as to tend to the general Improvement
and beautifyng of the city. Such method,
discipline and taste, for example, as contribute
| to make the Central Park garden spot upon
the Continent might be applied, in conjuuc-
ton with due regard to utility, to render the
entire labors of these commissions uniform
in this respect. With the same attention ii
| might be accomplished and thus we would
! have combined action for the one leading


object-the Improvement and adornment ofthe
city in every department The Commission of


Public Parks is not likely to suffer undor its


done for the down town parks, and we are
| glad to observe that the Commissioners have


taken step in the right direction by providing
music for the people on alternate evenings at
each park This will give the morale Of the


down town people lift in the direction of
art and intelligent enjoyment much needed.
The Fire Department, under the manage


ment of Speaker Hitchman, will probably


undergo many favorable changes. A man like


Mr.. Hitchman, who has proved himself 80


able an executive officer in the Speakers


chair, will surely bring much ability to his new
position. The Commission Of Charities and
Correction has an arduous duty to perform.


The poor we have always with us, and we
| have the erling also. Both classes come
| under the charge of the gentlemen compris-
| ing this commission. That justice, tempered


with mercy, will be administered to the unfor
| tunates who may come under the care of the


Board of Charities and Correction is beyond
doubt, judging from the calibre Of the gentle


men who compose it-among them, the genial,
cood-hearted, little democratic hero, Alex
ander Frear.


The Board OF Public Works sweeps The city.
With the exception Of the docks and piers and
public parks it swallows up nearly everything.


Mr.. Tweed, the President, has had large
experience in the Street Department, and,


indeed, for that matter, in almost every depart
| ment in the city therefore he assumes his
| sceptre with Jove-like confidence and


majesty. Upon all these gentlemen rests the


responsibility to faithfully carry out that


delicate and skilful -agglomeration OF depart


ments and bureaus which constitute our future


city government. But the highest RESPONSE


bility rests upon Mayor Hall, who appointed


them. We trust that they will all be able to


give o good account Of their stewardship.


After the turmoil attending the election Of


the third Tuesday of this month for Aldermen,


Judges and other officials is over, the new


system of local government will be in working


order. The curtain will have risen upon the


drama, and we only hope that, when it falls,


large and approving audience of million Of