The New York herald., 1845-02-17

| Washington descriptive OF the movements of the
| old administration, and of the formation of the
| new, are quite Interesting TO the philosopher-to
| the statesman-to the dramatist-and also to the
carieaurlst The moment that Mr.. Polk set his foot
| IN washington, the signal was given for the CON-
| mencement OF variety of movements in the va
nous a'qnes OF the democracy there, each strug-
gnng and moving heaven and earth to secure for
i.seh that particular influence with the new Presi-
oent which may enable il to control future events.
Our accounts are most laughable and most inter-
esting.
Inc most important discussion, however, preli-
mlnary to the formation the new administration
Is that relative TO the principles on which the cabi-
net will be selected-the men determined on,-and
the measures carried into operation and effect, as
indicated by the last election terminating IN the
triumph OF Mr.. Polk. Even our own correspon-
dents, several Of whom have access to the best
sources OF information, seem to differ very mate.
rally IN relation to the views and general purposes
which the new President entertains One set
maintain that the new President will represent all
the great sections and cliques of the democracy in
his administration, and thus overcome and master
them ALL Another set state positively that he will
do no such thing-that his views will be elevated
will select his cabinet and carry out the measures
for which he was elected, on the general principles
| OF democracy, without reference to cligues With
all due Difference to these opinions. we be-
lieve that it will be utterly impossible for
Mr.. Polk to succeed in giving harmony
to his administration, without representing in it all
the various interests of the party that placed him in
power 1t is very easy to say that he will not be
hv hut ar hn forx he
good of the whole. But how can he do SO! How
can ne maintain this independence of purpose and
action-how can he act for the COED of the whole
The very first step towards the formation of his
Cabinet-the selection Of the first Cabinet Minister
must be selection from some great interest OF the
democracy, and the impossibility will increase al
every step of performing single act in fulflment OF
his high destiny, without taking the candidates
from some one or other of the various interests OF
the party which carried him into power. Even the
very selection of names that we have heard recog-
nzes in some degree the existence Of certain great
interests, and the necessity of representing these
interests in the administration. We have no doubt
Mr.. Polk means to make selection of his cabinet
on principles which will give unity to his admin
straton and harmony to all the constitutional ele-
mens of his party. And this purpose can be fec.
| ted only by neurazing and harmonizing these
elements in the way that we have pointed out
namely, by representing them in his administration.
The interest is increasing every day in relation to
the selection of the new Cabinet, and the opinions
expressed as contradictory and varying as it is
possible TO imagine. From the information which
we have, we have come to positive opinion on
the matter which few days will realize, and until
then we choose to wait.
The RoTUNDA IN THE PARK-BoARp OF ASSIST
ANTS, s,-The Board Of Assistants will hold their re-
5uar meeting this evening, and an effort will be
made to force through the resolution which lately
passed the Board OF Aldermen, In favor of leasing
| the Rotunda for nominal sum, to the Gallery OF
Fine Arts. 1t will be recollected that Mayor Har-
per has already placed his Veto on this resolution,
| notwithstanding which, the Board of Aldermen
nave again passed it, by the requisite majority,
| namely, two-third vote.
We cannot see how the Economists" Of the
Corporaton-those professed "Reformers" who
affect such an extreme disreish to anything like
unnecessary taxation; and the lavish expenditure OF
the cityproperty, can consistently with their pledges
deliberately vote away some $4,000 year Of the
city property, at this juncture, when there is a
general cry out against taxation-and the city is in
debt. Independent of the injustice to our citizens
of such step-this proceeding on the part of the
Board, establishes precedent, which, if acted up
on, will perhaps lead to good deal of trouble and
litigation, which will create much bad feeling be.
tween the great body of the taxpayers, and our
city fathers, who will eventually assume an ad IT,
bitm right to dispose of the city property, to cor
porate bodies such the Gallery Of the Fine Arts,
on the ground of pubic munifcence, and thus will
| road be opened to continued peculaton of the
public revenue. The Board of Assistants, have
it, however, now in their power, to rescue the ci-
| ty from such an infiction and their action upon
this evening, is looked to with deep interest by the
community at large. The reasons given by the
Mayor, for vetoing the resolution, are in them
selves sufficiently cogent and need scarcely aword
| in addition These reasons should have sufficient
might, and we trust will induce the Board of As
slstants to "pause, ponder and reflect, before they
hastily concur with the Board of Aldermen. The
Mayor says: 81 cannot see that the city govern.
| ment has the right to make such disposition of
valuable property. The vast and increasing ex-
penses which the citizens have to meet, admonish
US, that we should not only practice rigid econo-
my, but also put to the most profitable use all the
city property and means of revenue. / was chosen
to office under this profession and pledge; and
feel myself bound to act up to the 1rofession and
redeem the pledge" This is taking a very deci-
ded stand against the projects and when the po,oer
OF the corporation to appropriate, is thus questioned
by such authority as the Mayor, who at the same
| time slightly witches the consciences of their
Honors, by reminding them Of their pledges, and
the consequent violation thereof, by the passage
Of the resouton-i is to be hoped that it will have
the desired effect Mayor Harper has done his du-
/ ty in the premises.
NATURALIZATION LAWS IN LOUISIANA. BY vote
of the Louisiana Convention, which was submit.
ted to that body by Mr.. Guion, on Thursday, Feb.
ruary 9Th, the import ant principle has been recog.
nlzed of making a residence of two years citizen
ship essential to the privilege OF voting at elec-