New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-04-27
Civ Reform.

dent on the complexion OF the Couhch WI" VI
co,,,so ,rre il bot il is not possible that tho great
mass Of any party can wish to preserve an asceh-
dency by canvassing or failing to canvass after
,bev have undeniably lost it by voting Such
course would shock the moral sense OF the eh'lre
community. and would most certainly ensure II"
downfall-not merely the temporary overthrow"
but the lasting, ignominious prostranon OF 'he
porty coun,enancing il. We will not speak OF le-
gal c.nsequences--we put out Of sight the dangers
Of popular connection and outbreak We argue
simply that the Loco-Focos will not attempt 10
keep possesso Of the Council because 1t would
be a great moral rroHg to do 50, and an Outrage
on the Democratic principle of our Government so
fragrant that no man not specially interested
could dream Of defending it, We believe the men
who must act ultimately in this matter have cha
raciers to lose. How, then, can they become the
Instruments of conspiracy so atrocious as TINS
which is certain to crush them, TO shater their
party. and benefit none but the present City Office
Holders No they cannot be so unwi.e as to
do it.
We assume, then, that the Wing Aldermen
from the Sixth, Eighth and Twelfth Wards will
he admitted to the seats to which the People have
clearly elected ,hem-if not instantly on the as
scnbling of the new Council, then As soos a. the
true returns from those Words shall have been
laid before them There may be show Of de-
muir at first, pro formo, but it must not be carried
beyond the first Session.
What. then. will the Wing Council do on their
accession to power We hear on every side Loco
Foco predictions tina, they will do M their prede-
cessors have dcne-put men OF their own party III
oqice. and there stop, considering that they have
oaectcd all the Reform that the case admits Of
But we happen to know better. We know that
the uprising of the People which has resulted m
Whir Common Council not Intended mainly
to nut some hundreds OF good men in office but
10 secure n thorough Reform in our Municipal
Administration. We know, too, that the Wing
Aldermen and Assistants elect are men Of intelll-
gence and probity, who will not consider their
dntie. performed while abuse remains mcor-
rectcd, a leak in the Treasury mstOpped. We
do not presume to decide what they ougbt T. do
hut simply that whatever they ought To do will be
done Among the subjects which pc mink require
action on their part are the following
|. IobbiRg and Patronage All Street-Swccp-
ing, Water-pipng, Pamphlet Printing, and what
ever else can be made the subject of Contracts,
should be advertised and let to the lowest respon
siblc bidder without fear, favor or affection. b,
so doing, a great saving to the City may be efiec
ted, and prolific source of corrupting patronage
cut of.
H. The Aims-H0use management should be
carefnHy orerhGUied-We have strong faith thnt
SlOO 600 NAV be saved to the City in this Depart
ment alone by employing TIVE or three practical
men in it. and organizing thorough system Of
PRopuorIvE INDUSTRY therein. Every employ
ment should he made as agreeable and congcnial
AS possible hut every paupsr able TO work re
qurcd To labor ten hours day for ms subsistence.
There would soon be- fewer PnuperS at this ratio
and all bu. the sick and decrePit would support
themselves il their labor ludclously directed.
Accommodations and work sh..d bc provided ioi
all who choose. and then strect-begg,ng should be-
rigidly interdiciod and outdoor relief reduced 10
the narrowest dimensions. Thrce-fourlhs of the
money now dispensed in outdoor charity is wors;
than wasied-is squandered in rum and dis.iPa-
ton This should be stopped. -Educaron and
moral and religious culture should also be intro
duced in the Alms-House and Pentcn,ary but
more especially among the poor Children ON the
Farms. Much good may thus be effected.
Ill. The abuses existing under the name o.
Inspections should Be corrected. We do not be-
hcvs in any compulsory Inspections, Weighing
Measuring, &c. at all. Appoint good men i'll
every department. and then let those who choose
employ them. and those who do Mt let II alone
Why should man run between me and wood
man with his yardstick. and charge a siXPence o
cord for measuring when we can agree upsn the
measurement without his aid The principle Of
compulsory Inspection Is wrong, and ought not 10
be persisted in.
". OR Markets need Reform. We do not
assume to say wha, ought to be done but We are
confident the present system Is not right The
Farmers and Market-Gardeners have no fair cbanc,
to come into our CITY and sell their products. a.
they have in other Cities; and while they receive
less than at Boston and Philadelphia, the con
sumers pay more--much nore. The forcstallers
and privileged markei.men sst ap both consumer.
and producers; and our City pays thousands toe
much annually for her fruits AND vegetables. yet IL
no, so well supplied as Philadelphia Shall not
this be reformed We will not enter now upon
the Meat question, but that must be met. II the
Market monopoly is necessary, it must be en-
forced If unnecessary it should be destroyed
But away with the halfand-half system now IL
practice.
V. The epolEneafs Of some Offices should Be
reduced Why should the District Attorney have
a large salary and Yet be constantly charging the
CITY hundreds and hundreds fer his service, -
Why should the CorpoI alton Counsel receive many