EARLY IMAYORS OF NEW YORK

BRIEF SKETCHE.S  OF THE  MEN  WHO RULED  TIIE  CITY  IN  ITS
CHADLE  DAYS.

Among other considerations that the Ter-Centenary of
the Founding of the City of New Yorl< brings to view
that of its Chief IVfagistrate is most pertinent and inter¬
esting. It is a curious anomaly that no holder of this office
except De Witt Clinton has ever reached high preferment
in the State or National Government. Whether its multi¬
farious exactions are a discouragement to higher aims in
the public service, or whatever the impediments to such
achievement may have been, is a question for the student
of politics. None, however, among its many incumbents,
with the exception mentioned, have provided the necessary
"timber" for Gubernatorial or Presidential honors.

The earlier Jvlayors of the city were, with few excep¬
tions, selected from among the merchants and traders of
their day. The later ones were largely recruited from the
law. It has been the pleasing custom of the city for many
years to provide the doorsteps of its Mayor's residence
with a pair of lamps, and the homes still standing of its
former Chief ^Magistrates may be distinguished by these
external signs. IVIany of the streets of the city com¬
memorate its former Mayors, such as Willett, Lawrence,
Cortlandt, Bayard, Duane, Varick, Livingston, Clinton,
Allen, etc.

Many of the noted public improvements of New York
have been due to the energy and foresight of some of its
Jilayors. Conspicuous among these is the establishment
of Central Park, due in large measure to the farseeing

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