The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-05

REFORM IN THE CRY GovERNMET.-The Com
mon Council meet this evening, and we do hope and
trust lin the name of all that is patriotic, honest, and
useful, that they will make some decided movement
towards reformation in four particular depart
ments of the municipal organization. We refer
first to the Police department. On the 7th Nov,
nearly month since, the committee on pollce'
WATCH and PRISONS of the Board of Assistant Alder
men, reported entirely new organization OF the
police, watch. and judicial departments of the city
government. And now, in behalf of the people oil
this city, we call upon both Boards of Aldermen to
take up this document (No. 42) and proceed at once
to act upon it-lay aside all party feelings, party
chickering's, party ealousles, and party interests, and
like honest men, determined to do their duty, come
upto the work of reform, and do it. There is no
fear of passing any ordinance that will make the
matter worse than it now is. Even in to-day's pa
per, under the head of City Intelligence, they may
see the working Of the present system.
In the next place, the people demand reform IN
the organization of the meat markets. Alderman
Jones, of the fifth ward, who is of this commit
tee in the Board of Aldermen, has already reported
an entirely new regulation of this department.; and
il is but justice to him to say that he is most
lousy pressing this subject upon the attention of the
Board, and we shall mark those members who
throw obstacles in his way, and strive to put off any
reform in this subject. Alderman Jones will un,
doubtedy again call up Document No. 81 this even
ing, and we shall take particular notice OF such
members oppose action upon it.
In the third place, there must be a thorough re-
form in the Fire department. II is useless to waste
any more time in writing and talking upon the sub
ject. Every body is convinced-every body de-
mands reform. All the people want is action. They
have had talk enough. Give us a paid Fire de-
partment.
In the fourth place, we demand either that the
streets be cleaned by contract else that the Cor
poration provide the citizens with bridges or boats,
yherewihal to get through and across the streets.
The present state of the streets is perfect outrage
upon decency. Here is this city of New York,
with whole rivers of water running through it in
every direction-under ground-and yet, with all
these facilities for cleansing the streets, such
possessed by no other city under the canopy of hea
ven, yet, New York is probably at this moment the
dlrtiest civilized city upon the footsool.
These are four pressing subjects, now demanding
the attention of the Common Council Will the
peope-wil the voters of this city forever content
themselves with quietly and suppliantly beseech-
Ing, ike so many DegSarS win tnelr mats OIL, That
the city Corporation will condescend to withdraw
few moments attention from party politics, and be-
stow it upon their imperious necessities? Will the
enfranchised voters at charter elections submit
to the needless extortlon of fourpence ponnd
formeat, for want of good meat-market laws-to be
knocked down, robbed, plundered, murdered,
swinded, burnt ups and their wives and sisters
lshed for want of good poce-to wade over shoes
through the mud and filth with which their own
streets filled, for want of good street sweeping
to the payment of sixteen millions Of dollars for
the want of water enough to put out our fires, and
then to the payment of twelve millions more to pro-
vide water to prevent another similar confagra-
ton; and, yet that this water, thus provided shall
not be accessible in case of emergency, or if ac-
cessible that it be rendered useless for want of a
good fire department =!
When these subjects come up again in the Com
mon Council, we shall mark those Aldermen who
oppose action upon them. And then we shall tell
the people Of this city that these are the men who
will sacrifice the public veal upon the altar of party
politics.