The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-29
[Trom Correspendentl
Reforms In our City Government.

and indeed in most of the States of the Union. In
last chatter election il rose to a 5uror twas the
hobby that carried the Native American party into
power.
subject, in order that the community may under
stand the nature and extent Of the contemplated re-
forms in the government of our city. That the
II IN nse ss
lidence Of the community we know.
Letus, then, take full and far as we arc able.
an accurate view OF the subject New York is a
city containing three hundred and eighty thousand
| inhabitants She is the chief commercial empo-
rum Of the republic. Here is collected great Por.
ton of the revenue, to support the government of
emf greatness, by the favorable position Other local.
ity and by the spirit and enterprise OF her mer.
chants. That the government OF such city should
great and extensive powers OF patronage ID
obvious. IT exceeds, IN extent and Value, many
States Of the Union.
This civ was incorporated by the grant of a
| charter in the year 1858, by Governor Dongan-
| The city was then comparatively village: Uu-
der The charter, the government consisted of
| Mayor and four Alderman. This charter continued
| through The period Of the Colonial Government.
during which time twas frequently confirmed. AS
the city extended the number of Aldermen lncreas-
| ed until the present time, when the humber IS Sc
venteen, and now, by the amended charter, the
| came number Of assistant Aldermen.
| No alteration was made in this charter during the
long period Of our colonial history: The Aldermen,
by the charter, were invested with judicial power:
They tried small causes on contract They had
also certain criminal powers which they exercised
| They were the examining and committing nlagls-
| trates and during all the period Of our colonial
connection with the mother country, they exer-
cised those powers.
and the duties Of these officers became oncrous,
and their legislative duties engrosslng most OF their
time, il thought best to relieve them OF their
judicial duties. A justices court Tor the trial OF
small causes was organized, and the duties OF the
| Aldermen transferred to them. They still! possess
il in the several districts, into which the city Is dl.
yided police court was as also established; ana
| jurisprudence. This police tribunal still remains,
and the duties Of the Aldermen are now almost
entirely Legislative. They are, indeed. Justices OF
the Count Of Sessions and perform this duty in ro-
We have thus given sketch Of the city govern
ment during our colonial connection with the pa
eminent Of the Union. There has been change.
The charter is essentially the same. There a
commoton in the year 1929 to amend the charter;
and by the amended charter, the Mayor was made
elective by the people, and he wac relieved from
certain judicial duties.
It may be stated as general fact, that no alte-
ration Of any importance has been made IN the city
government since its organization in 1858. II Is
essentially the same now as il was when the char
ter was granted by Governor Dongan, 1856
We have frequently been puzzled to know what
to our city government, We could see nothing to
reform We supposed it to mean '.a great cry and
little WOOL" We knew there might be. changes
butwe were equally certan that every aae,ati0n is
to see this venerable corporation touched with a
light hand. We like to sec inn. ovements in law,
morals, and politics. We do not war against this
mania OF reform; We are only afraid that In reno:
wing the diseased part, the knife may go too deer
and cut away vitat portion. The alarm bell Of
reform has sounded the notes Of the "Pollce Bill"
it could be made And all that wanting TO
secure the confidence of the community was the
selection of fit and honest officers. And when
they were found inefficient or dishonest, remove
them, and supply their places by those who were
fit and honest; and increase the number until the
wants Of the city were supplied. This was all we
supposed necessary. The corporaiion,. however,
have organized new department Of police, and IT
is now before the Legislature, and will doubtless
become law. We arc afraid of this reform. -
The organization of the present police Is remark.
magistrates, clothed with judicial powers; and a
posse of ministerial officers to aid in carrying out
those powers. Simplicity in political organizations
is strength. and complexity is weakness.
Under this new police bill the present arrange
ment is abrogated, and a new system established
Seven hundred and fifty men are to be appointed,
who are TO be invested with police powers, and
clothed with the duties Of watchmen and are made
day and night watch: They are also to perform
the duties of Health Wardens, Dock-Masiers, In.
spectors Of hacks, omnibuses, and Superin,endants
we'll settled principle, established by experience,
that invest person with various duties and pow.
ers, he is good for nothing in any of them-his
mind is bewildered and distracted by his numerous
duties, and we are very much afraid it will be go
here. AS the law stood before this compile kitty did
not exist, Il police officer had but one class Of
duties to perform. His undivided attention could
he given to 1t; but under this bill he will he per-
feet Caleb Quotem--aja jack Of all trades We hope
the friends of this bill will not be disappointed. and
that it may work well, better than we anticipate;
we have, however, serious apprehensions that ii
will dlsappont the public
The prevalence Of this mania OF reform, we OBJ
served, carried the Native American party into
power at the last charter election. The commune
| ~ expect much from this new party. They expect
| all the evil things removed from the city govern
ment. We believe the community expect too much
and will BIZ disappointed. From the sketch we have
gwen, it will be seen there reforms TO make.
All the Native American party do, and all they
ought to do, is vigant attention to, and careful
selection OF men TO fill the various places under the
corporation. Give nothing to the noisy brawler-no
reward 10 the heated partizan. Let places of trust
and power be filled by men who IRE efficient and
honest Make it rule to reject the needy and
greedy applicant for office and let the old ma kim
that Honesty is the best policy" be carried out
practice. This is all the new party can do, and we
admit ii is great deal, and il well done the com
| muny will not have cause to regret the result OF
| the late election.
We have thus thrown together our ideas upor
this subject. There is evidently mistake in thu
pnblic mind upon it. The impression is, that grea
changes will he made in the organization OF ou
city government There will be none. There can IL
none. Nothing more can or should be done thar
has inst been Indicated. And the public ought t.
be satisfied with this IL this party acts faith
fully and Justly in the exercise of their power, il j.
all they can do, or the public require.
CIRCUIT JuDeE.-It is understood that the Hon
Bowen Whiting, first Judge OF Ontario county, was
cult Judge Of the Seventh Circuit for the vac ancy ocea
stoned by the resignation Of Judge Moseley