Year: 1875

Dana and the Mayoralty.
In discussing the chances Of the candi-
dates who are suggested for the Office of
Mayor at the coming spring election, which
we have no doubt will be made possible by
the prompt action of the Legislature, we call
attention to the position which Mr. Dana
held as a gentleman high in the esteem OF
the people. We dwelt upon the value of the
letter written by Recorder Hackett to the
agent of Tammany Hall resenting an attempt
TO interfere with the independence of the
Bench This letter had the effect Of concen-
trating around Recorder Hackett the honest
sentiment of respect for the integrity of JUS
tice which underlies the community. and
which contributed largely to his election
We ventured to say that no doubt there
would be found some letter or public
declaration that would have as convincing
an effect upon the minds of the people as
interference in the courts.


Our attention has been called to letter
written by Mr.. Dana himself on the 18th of
October, 1874 This letter was addressed to
committee Of 1.-THE Industrial Political
Party, which had placed Mr.. Dana in NOM
ination for Mayor in opposition to Mr.. Wick
ham, the present incumbent. Mr. Dana
declined the nomination in the following
words -


GESrLKMES-I thank you very cordially and thank
your constituents also for the compliment paid me in
your nomination for Mayor of New York. appreciate
IL highly, because II fresh and direct from
the people and not from an old organized party am,
obligation OF every call Of public duty upon every citi
zen, am convinced that, whatever might be able 70
do for you as Mayor can serve you more efficiently in
my present occupation as editor


agree with you entirely to the necessity OF real
reform in the government of this city, which shall
check the progress OF municipal debt and the alarming
increase OF taxation. This increase now goes
on under every party ana every aominstra-
Green and Havemeyer the less
To the workingmen especially this is matter OF
vital concern for in the end the taxes are PAID out OF
their labor and the burden falls with peculiar hardship
upon them in the form OF enormous rents, the en-
HANGED cost ofevery necessary OF life and above all In


the stagnation OF business the stopping OF work and
the general and danger which you feelngly
refor. rejoice, therefore, at every manifestation or
political Independence on their part II is only when
honest men or every name exhibit a determination to
revolt against the management of party leaders and TO
select their own candidates for themselves that par


ties be kept within the bounds of decorum and be
made to pay due regard TO the public welfare in
lecting their nominees. ! remain, gentlemen your
faithful servant, CHARLES A. DANA.


This letter is remarkable and an instruc-
tive document 1t shows the best points of
Mr.. Dana's character, and will be read with
pride by every journalist. We can respect
the feeling which prompted him, as the editor
of brilliant newspaper, to prefer to serve
the people in that capacity rather than in any
public station but even editors are citizens,
and the time may come when the perform
ance of the highest duties of citizenship will
compel them to make temporary sacrifice Of
the delights and opportunities ofjournalism.
What we admire about Mr.. Dana's letter is
his declaration that ''it is only when honest
men of every name exhibit determination
to revolt against the management of party
leaders and to select their own candidates for
themselves that parties can be kept within
the bounds of decorum and be made to pay
due regard to the public welfare in selecting
their nominees" BY this manly and
straightforward declaration Mr.. Dana puts
himself on the record against one-man
power and shows that he had an early
part in the fight upon John Kelly
and the secret influence of Tammany Hall
which came to so glorious conclusion at the
last municipal election. This letter
strengthens Mr.. Dana's chances immeasur-
ably and shows that he has as good claims for
the Office as Recorder Hackett for his present
station. We have no doubt that further
analysis of our contemporary's record will
show other declarations in the same
spirit, the publication of which will greatly
affect him in the minds of the people as
candidate for the place now held by Mr..
Wickham.