Year: 1872

The Elections I'm tho city.


The charge constantly made against our
system Of government by foreigners. who
gather their impressions of America from the
sensational writings of disingenuous travellers,
received practical refutation yesterday. The
general smash-up of parties last year intro
duced SO many new and contending interests
to complicate the main issue that trouble was
looked forward to in some of the more law
less wards of the city. Had disturbance
occurred it would not have been much to be
wondered at; but the fact that we have
passed through bitter and exciting
contest without q single act of violence
SHOWS the value of popular institutions in
educating the people up to the standard Of
self-respect which makes them guard as jeal-
ously the Liberties of others as they do their own.


1t Is to be supposed that in city like New
York there are many hundreds who would be
glad to seize any opportunity to break the law;
but the fact that public opinion has been
sufficiently strong to restrain even these is in
itself high tribute to the value of our insti-
tutions


When we consider how often foreigners, and
especially Englishmen, are in the habit of
depreciating our system and representing New
York as place where neither life nor limb
could be considered safe on election day, we
find matter for congratulation that the
triangular contest for Mayor, with the super
added interest Of Presidential and State cleo
hos Ofx xusf he
quiet. In no instance was there any interfer-
ence with the rights Of the voters. The citi-
zens went to the ballot boxes and deposited
their votes with the most perfect freedom from
intimidation or interference of any kind.
There were few challenges and illegal voting
was almost unknown. There was, however,
no lack Of interest, and excited politicians
sought an outlet for their enthusiasm in back
ing their opinions in pool gambling. One Of
the most amusing features of the day
was the constant disgust and indignation
of small fry politicians and their friends who
found themselves sold out by their allies.
This was SO common that he must have been
smart politician who could recognize a
straight ticket. Nearly all Of them had been
tampered with an examination of the ballots
issued from different boxes of the same stripe
in almost every case showed some departure
from the regular ticket. Reformers, Tam
manyites and republicans were mixed up in
inextricable confusion, SO that few people
could tell exactly how matters stood The
widest rumors were circulated with regard to
the chances of the rival candidates, but nearly
all the interest was concentrated on the strug-
gle for the Mayoralty. While we must con-
gratulate the community on the unbroken
order that prevailed we must regret the want
Of well-defned principle which was manifested
by the small political fry. These gentry bar
tered their votes and their influence in the
most shameless manner, selling out their
friends for some personal advantage. We re-
gret that men seeking public trust should be
guilty of such moral turpitude and it certainly
is not very reassuring for our future. The
number Of votes polled fell far below the regis
tration, and even it did not adequately repre-
sent the voting power of the population. The
indifference to the exercise of the franchise is
one Of the most regrettable features of the
present campaign. If the honest voters Of the
city could only be persuaded to devote one day
to the interest Of the Commonwealth we should
not have SO many complaints of corruption
and bad government.