The New York herald., 1845-01-22
NEW YORK HERALD.
N.w YORK. wedne.elay, january as, Is45.
The Dolngs of the Corporation.

The Dolngs of the Corporation.
One Of the most interesting places In this city, IN
which the traveller, the naturalist, the philosopher,
or the ounger, can spend an hour, is the hall IN
which the Common Council meet, and where the
city fathers discuss the various reforms which they
have attempted to inhlct on this unfortunate me-
tropois. As a specimen of the highly important
and interesting proceedings which take place, we
give, in another column, verbatim report OF an
hours debate on Monday evening last, on very
interesting subject-the Aims House. In most par
amentary bodies il is usual to discuss matters for
the purpose of getting ligh-of procuring informa-
ton. But in this good city of New York the
patres conscripfe debate-d.scuss- ''question"
shout "order" appeal from the Chair-and en-
ploy all the parliamentary tactics which can be
found in "Jefferson's Manuel' in order to exclude
light-shut up the mouths OF all inqnirers- and
keep the public as completely in the dark is pos
sible.
We are now in most important crisis in rela-
ton to the municipal government of this city
During the last few years the two old parties, by
their bad conduct and wasteiul extravaganza, so
disguised the people that vast masses abandoned
their old associations, and came out for new and
distinct party, which made great professions and
promises of immediate reform These professions
of the party possessing the control OF the city
government were good, republican, American, and
quite unexceptionabe. But, alas with these pro-
fessions on their tongues and coming from their
lips. these have turned out to be the most in
efficient and miserable rulers that any city ever
had Instead of ever attempting to give US any Of
those great measures of practical reform which
they promised, they have done nothing but make
foray on the poor street-walkers for three nights
in succession--banish the old apple-women from
the Park-te tin pans around the Fountain-pro-
hibit the sale of fresh fish on Sunday-and shout
out "the Bble-the Bible-the Bible"-"t the Pope
the Pope-the Pope" the Irish-the Irish
the Irish''-" the Dutch--the Dutch-the Dutch''-
"the glorious stars and stripes" and " the al
mighty American eagle"-from one end of the
week to the other. But all their promises about
reform have turned out perfectly vain and futile.
Only look at the streets-look at the reports of
innumerabe burglares-look at the vast increase
of taxation-look at the corrupt oil contracts
look at the extravagant expenditures of the public
money-and now to crown all, look at their tyran-
nical and impudent violation Of every principle of
justice in their meetings, because they happen to
have majority! What will all this unjust and
outrageous " choking of " every attempt to obtain
any information relative to their contracts and ex-
penditures avail them at the hallot boxes next
Spring?
CUSTOM HOUSE SCENKs.-The panoramas now
daily exhibited at the New York Custom House are
more curious, unique, and philosophical than any
ever exhibited by Barnum at his museum The
pictures are made up of real living office beggars-
all alive-some fresh, and more stale Between
two and three thousand, more or less, Of them are
In daily attendance at the Custom House, their
pockets filled with qualifications" and "respect-
able Names" As notice is given at the inner gates
leading to the Collectors private room that no
person can be admitted, it follows that the door
keeper MIR. Waldron, man of most extraordina-
~ patience, is with those applicants great man,
and only equaed by "Martin" at the White
House. Once within the gate, the next task is to
gain entrance to the sanctum sanctoywm. Here Mr..
Gillian must be consulted sis the Collector n?'
"Yes, he is, but very busy" "When can l see
him % is it on public business - at amt on
nothing else.' THE man wants an Office for him.
self "You can see him in your turn-there are
now here present, as you may see, only about fifty
gentlemen upon the same public business as your
self'' "Ill vatican you give me a seat" "No
/ can not-the government provides neither seats
Here, as every where about the Custom House
Assistant Collector Bogardus is an all-important
parsonage; and being disappointed in gaining ad-
mittance to the Collector, the next question is,
Where is Mr. Bogardus want to see him. I"
"Mr. Bogardus has just stepped out'-or -" Mr..
Bogardus is busy with the Collector"-or He
will be here SOON"
And now the conversation becomes general, and
hr,ob hat, - frnU Waob o.
toni" "What will be done with Atwoodp' "Will
he be confrmedp' All sorts Of questions are
asked, and all sorts of opinions are given to the
infinite ANNOYANCE Of all the clerks in the vicinity
Meanwhile the time of the Collector and of his
assistant, which they are both anxious to devote
faithfully to the public business is well nigh excu
sively consumed by these beggars at the public
crib Thus time must be consumed in listening
to Qualifications" and " services" and /" neces
sities," and also to not few ISLANDERS upon those
they would procure.
The interruption to public business has at length
become 80 insufcrable that the Collector, who il
determined at all hazards to devote his time to his
public duties, was yesterday compelled, in sheer
se.defence, to post up at the grand entrance the
following "Notice"-
The Collector has made repeated efforts since he has
been in Off avoid the interruptions In the perform
of has Indispensable public duties. which have con
stantg occurred, by having and attending TO- the appi
appointments but those efforts thus far have
been frustrated by his ielding to the OF gen
emen interviews the subject OF offices, notwith
standing his urgent appeals to their f1rbesrance.
He fnds himself compelled therefore, now TO give no
ce that absolutely necessary Tor nun 70 devote .ne
and to the regulation OF his department. and he
nesy begs that person will attempt, during the time
mentioned, to occupy his attention on the subject o
Offices
Custom House, January als ls45.
For the remainder of this month, therefore, Col
lector Van Ness desires to remain unmolested. II
the meantime, we suggest to those "gentemer
beggars in waiting" the expediency Of organizing
themselves into street sweeping club. Here is a
field where there is not only an abundance Of work
but where their services would be publicly appre