The New York herald., 1845-04-21

noon. She will bring one weeks later intelligence
We may expect her news at two o'clock this after
noon by the New Haven boat.
The New Corporation-City Reform-What
IL to be d0nes
The caucusslng of the new Corporation goes on
with great activity. Very satisfactory progress is
made IN the division into opposing diques The
lines of demarkaton are already pretty well mark
ed out, and the feeling of mutual hostility is rising
rapidly. The last year having been spent on the
commons, the appetite of the cattle has been sharp
ened TO the very utmost degree of ferocity, and
the battle OF the factions will be savage, unrelen-
ing, and bitter beyond precedent.
The young democracy, headed by Charlick-the
everlasting thorn in the flesh Of the "natlves'-
has already had a very respectable skirmish with
the old bunker Clique, whose movementsare direct
ed by the venerable Purdy, otherwise called sIron.
Sides" In this preliminary struggle, the old hunk
ers have suffered defeat, and their successful anita
goniss, taking fresh courage, are fully prepared to
carry on the fight, with the charitable cry Of "war
TO the knife" They seem determined to give no
quarter to the opposing clique, which is in its turn
equally resolute and equally bent on obtaining The
hons share of the spoils. Meanwhile, lesser
ciiqnes are quietly in process OF formation and al
vet show themselves. it is not at all unlikely that
they may come in for very respectable portion
OF the pickngs whilst the others do all the SQUAD.
bling and lighting. From all present appearances,
then, the entire term OF Office will be consumed by
the new Corporation in a selfish, rapacious and dis
graceful scramble for the oaves and fishes. There
has not as yet been single indication in any
quarter OF a contemplated movement for reform
ut he ah, L.
perlod, corrupted the government of the city
We think that every intelligent man must now
be thoroughly convinced that some radical change
IN Inc organization OF our municipal government
absolutely necessary. All parties have been tried,
and all have proved uniformly fathless to the
public interests 1t appears that under the present
form OF government it is impossible to obtain an
honest, capable and salutary administration of city
affairs The facilities for corruption and political
profgacy are SO great-the temptations to unfaith-
fulnessare ensnaring and powerful the wages of
dishonesty are easily reaped-that no integrity,
or honor. or sense of duty that be found willing
to enter the Corporation proof against the In
fectious atmosphere Of the City Hall. The gold
turns to brass-lhe silver to lead-purity to impu-
ty, so that where we expected TO find sterling in
tegrlty, shining talents and unimpea achabe honesty,
we have found nothing but impudence, stupidity
and corruption. Has it not been so In what re.
spects has the municipal government of this city
kept pace with the growing intelligence, enighten.
ment, population, progress and wants Of the me-
trolls? What great and comprehensive measure of
public utility have emanated from the corporate
authorties2 Look at our streets-at our public
grounds-at our steamboat landings-at our mar
kes-at our cabs and omnlbusses-at every thing
connected with the police of the cty-and an
swer, does New York present anything like the
aspect of well governed city in the United States
of America, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty-fve? 1t does not. 1t re-
sembles much more an English provincial town at
the close of thelast century, than what any intel
lIgent christian stranger expects to find the chief
city OF the Union to be, SO far as municipal regu-
latons are concerned.
1t is very clear that the present democratic Cor
poration do not mean to give themselves any trou-
BILE about city reform. If they did entertain any
such benevolent designs, we surely would not find
them giving themselves up, the very moment they
were sure of their election, to fierce and bitter
contest for the spos of Office. Were they resolved
upon giving US good government, they would be
meeting now-not to break each others heads
over the fiesh-pots-but to ascertain what reforms
were most wanted-what they ought first to do for
the purpose of serving the public interests-what
step was first to be taken for the removal of the
accumulated abuses of years. But week after
week, we may expect to follow them, asking in
vain for reform, and beholding them continually
engaged in that unending work Of political cor.
ruption, which
Bequsathed from plundrng sire to son
will continue to engage all the time and faculties
of our corporate authorities until the whole system
of our city government be revolutionized, and the
facilities for profigacy and faithlessness be re.
moved This can be done only by assmatng
our municipal government to that of the State
making the Aldermen and Assistants the paid and
responsible representatives OF the citizens-extend-
ing the term OF ofice-and rendering the appoint
ment and removal Of all the subordinate officers
connected with the police of the city entirely in
dependent of mere political Influences
The brief annals of the defunct "native'' party,
whilst they demonstrated that the intelligence and
patriotism of this city will not tolerate the admix-
ture of sectarianism and bgotry, and religious pro-
scription with political affairs, also showed that
reform party" in this city-based purely on prnci.
pies of city reform, and organized for that specific
purpose, and for that alone could eventually carry
every thing before it. An immense mass OF the
population Of this city is entirely aloof from mere
political parties. There is also growing convic.
ton in the minds of intelligent men Of all parties
that the local politics Of the city should be dssever.
ed from national politics. If the new Corporation
60 on as they have commenced, we should not be
at all surprised to see new reform party" or.
ganzed on enlightened and liberal principles,
springing up in few months, and carrying the city
triumphanty in the spring of next year. In saying
this, we feel well assured that we give expression
TO the speculation and the wish of the enlightened
independent public opinion OF this city, at this mo.
ment. Let US wait, and see how events will sus-
tain the conjecture and strengthen the desire
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE We publish to. day
three interesting letters, one from Panama, one
from Brazil, and one from Cuba-three different