The New York herald., 1845-01-14
The snring Election

The spring Election.
From the movements in the Corporation and In
dcations out of doors, we perceive that there is
every preparation making for very warm politi-
cal struggle ct the ensuing spring election, when
the people Of this city elect their Mayor and COM
mon Council for the ensuing year. The interests
which are involved in this election far exceed
those connected with the election in many of the
States of the Union. The annual taxes of this
city amount to nearly two millions OF dollars, and
the complicated interests and municipal duties of
the Corporation of such character and extent,
as to demand from the citizens even greater de-
gree of attention to this election than to the gene
raj election itself.
Well, the vast interest of this election being
very apparent to every one, the next question is,
what parties coming into the field? What
prospects does each possess of carrying the elec-
ton? And, what may we expect for the ensuing
year?
AT the last spring election 1t may be very well
recollected, that by general uprising and upheav-
ing of the public mind, in which we had some
small share, there was decided movement made
in favor of city reform. A party sprung up found
ed on number Of narrow and ridiculous preju-
dices in relation to Irishmen-C Cathocity- bishops
and priests-and which never could have been
thought of combining with those prejudices a dis
tinct and positive and common sense movement
in favor of city reform-of giving US better mu-
nicipal government than that Of any of the old
parties. Under this agreeable impression that we
were about to be blessed with good municipal
government, the "native" party succeeded in the
last election MIR. Harper was chosen Mayor, and
large majority Of the Corporation of the same
complexion were elected. This party during the
last year, it is needless to say, have violated al
most every pledge and promise which they had
made, and from being the representatives of a
great majority of the honest and sensible por-
ton of the people, they have dwindled down
to one of the most selfish, narrow. minded and
impracticable cliques of politicians that ever dis
honored this good and fair metropolis. No
doubt many of these men are very respectable
in their private capacity, and meant well in public,
but they were without any tried experience and
even with the little sagacity they had, they might
have done much better than they have performed.
From the jump they have given themselves up to
the guidance of a set of miserable politicians who
have led them entirely astray-persuaded them TO
violate their promises-and not only to do that,
but actually to give evidence of greater faithless-
ness, and folly and corruption, than ever character
lzed any of their predecessors in Office Look at
the streets. Can language describe their unparal-
leled abominations Look at the police depart
ment! Listen to the accounts of burgares on
burglaries-the outrages-the dsorder-the viola
ton Of every law, which disgrace our city Above
ALL look to their soil contracts and their pitifu
efforts by adavits, price shilling, to get rid of
the inferencss which naturally produced in the
mind Of every man! To wind up, only think that
a party which went into power under promise OF
reducing the taxes, have actually added $500, ,000-
yes, upwards of t,Do hundred thousand doAars-to
the taxes which the people OF this city are COM
PEELED to pay, thus imposing much weightier
burden than ever was laid on the people by any
party that ever preceded these "reiormers."
Such is the position Of the party now in power in
the Corporation Such are the claims with which
they are preparing again to present themselves as
candidates for the appreciation and sursges of the
people. We think their chances are somewhat
small. Their only merits are that they abolished
the booths on the Fourth of July-put large Jumps
OF ice into the city water of the Fountain, and
with paternal thoughtfulness truly astounding,
tied tin-pans around it, In order that the people
might drink of the delicious beverage and be satis
fed-and tor three nights drove the unhappy street.
walkers from Broadway.
The next party preparing to enter the field, are
the locofocos. They preparing with great
deal of force, and bid fair to come forth with grea-
ter strength than they have ever manifested
Having succeeded in the Presidential elec-
ton, they have now the Custom-house and all
the State and government Offices, with all this
influence as set off to the Corporation infu-
ence in the approaching struggle. Besides they
have shrewdness and capacity, and sometimes a
good historical character In the annals of Corpora
tion management, to support them. During the
last twenty years, on'many occasions, while they
had power in the Corporation, they have behaved
with.some degree ofdecency and honesty, although,
like others, guilty of great dea'of folly and cor
ruption. But in these days, all that we can ex-
pect OF any party, is little amount of roguery
as possible And the party which comes forward
and performs its public duties with as little roguery
as possible seems stand the best chance of sue
ceeding, and to answer the purpose for which it
was intended. The locofoco party have very fair
prospects.
In addition to these two parties, we shall no
doubt have the whigs-,he good old whg party
which has frequently been in the Corporation
coming forward with all their forces. And we are
very much dsposed-if they put forward honest and
Intelligent men, and give tolerable assurance Of
giving us city reform-to give them some little aid
in the contest. Yet their chances are not so good
as those OF the locofocos. A large portion of the
" native" forces naturally belong to the wings,
and if there be any intelligent and honest men still
connected with the "natives," they would do
wisely to abandon that ridiculous organization,
and go over decidedly to the wings, supper ting
them ia every ward, and endeavoring, if possible,
to elect whig Mayor and Corporation. There
is some chance Of their succeeding in this.
At all events, we shall watch the movements of
all these parties, and endeavor to support that from
which we have the best pledge and promise of city
reform.
EccLEsrAsrrcAL ARRIvAL.-We understand that
the celebrated Father Ryder, who occupies the
principal position in the Catholic College OF
Georgetown, District Of Columbia, arrived in