Year: 1876

been for the last few weeks too much
absorbed in the political contest in the
October States to have any attention to spare
on the necessity for good government in this
metropolis Now that the smoke and dust
Of the October battles have cleared away we
are pleased to find them taking up city
politics. and evincing from different points
Of view. correct appreciation of the
bearing of our local contest on the
national canvass. The HERALD, which
observes public affairs from . more impair
tial standpoint, has kept steady eye on
city politics during the heat Of tho Western
State elections. and is glad to find even
tardy recognition of their great importance
by its local contemporaries. The only thing
which it regrets in this sudden awakening is
that the party journals look at the municipal
contest only from those party points of view.
in apparent disregard of the fact that wise
and honest government for this great me-
tropolis is thing Of first rate Importance
on its own account, quite apart from its bear
ing on national politics. The HERALD has
not ignored either point of view. While
anticipating its party contemporaries in
pointing out the possible national conse-
quences of the local contest it has also
kept steadily before its readers the necessity
for good municipal administration for the
sake of the city itself In our estimate
wise government of the city is the para
mount consideration in city politics, the
effect of good nominations on the general
prospects of parties being incidental and
subordinate. 1t is true that we have pressed
the latter order of consid Grafton, but only
because the interest of good government
seemed to coincide with the interest
of the democratic party. and we have
hoped to convince its leaders that
correct action here would help them in their
national canvass. We should be glad of their
assistance in city affairs from any motive,
and as party motives are most operative
with party men we have attempted to con-
vince them that the true interest Of their
party is not inconsistent with the welfare
of the city. If we have appealed to a
low order of motives it is because we
had no reason to expect the attention of
politicians to arguments founded on the
simple claim of the city to good government


We should rejoice to see our municipal
affairs disentangled from general politics;
but we must take things as we find them,
and are always glad when party interests
supply a motive for proper municipal nomi-
nations. But, after oil, the great thing for
our city is good government at homo.


The two leading party organs in this
"a TSxn>c cid
the World, on the democratic side-had note
worthy articles yesterday on city politics,
evincing on the part of each a true es-
innate of the situation. The evident
though unavowed purpose of tho article
in the Times was to favor the nomination of
Mr.. Green as the joint candidate of the re-
publicans and anti-Tammany democrats.
The open and avowed purpose of the article
of the World was to checkmate Mr.. Green by
urging q democratic nomination popular
enough to take the wind out Of his sails.
Both articles were wise from party point
of view. Each may serve as q balloon from
which correct view may be obtained Of the
situation of one of the opposing armies.
The World sees th-t its bste noire,
Andrew H. Green, may be elected
Mayor if the Tammany democrats
make weak nomination. The Times sees
the advantage of union on Mr.. Green by
all the opponents of Tammany, and ad-
dresses its argument to foolish republican
politicians who insist on o strict party NOM
ination and thus play into the hands of
Tammany. "The duty and interest of the
republican party of New York." says the
Times, "alike dictate the necessity of indors-
ing whatever independent nominee best full
fls the requirements of energy, honesty and
ability to be, in all respects, the Mayor of
the people Any other course would be as
unsafe as it would be discreditable." This
squints toward the support of Mr.. Green by
the republican party, and it is wise both in
a party view and public view. The repub-
lican party of this city. acting alone, can
have no hope of electing Mayor; but by
supporting q good candidate put forward
in other quarters it may embarrass and
weaken the democratic party in the
general canvass, and at the same time Sc
cure influence and Offices for republicans
in the municipal government. From q
party point of view the demonstration of the
Times is good strategy, with tho added merit
of being in the interest of good municipal
government. The running of separate
local ticket by the republicans would merely
election of "my candidate" Mr.. Green, in
spite Of his eccentricities and unseemly ex-
hibitions of myself" would make n more
efficient and enlightened Mayor than any
servile tool of Boss Kelly.


The World feels q just alarm at the run
Mr.. Green would make against Tnmmany
candidate who could not command the con-