The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-22

AGITATION FOR CRY REPoRM-CLEAN STREETS
AND Low TAxEs.-The meeting at National
Hall OH Wednesday evening. was, we are
disposed TO think, the initial movement
of vigorous effort on the part OF tie
citizens OF New York, to shake off the political
leeches that have been so long Juggling at the
veins of the treasury blood suckers who have
for years impoverished the city, merely because
the tax payers, because of their love of order,
did not arise in their indignation, and tear them
away by force from their unrghteous feast. Men
of all parties have for long time seen the evil,
but those who have never made politics their
trade, dislike to NEEDLE with the dirty work, even
though it be to bring about a needed reform.
Never SO patiently have our citizens borne other
abuses; but they have at length moved, and it is
to be hoped that the car of reform will be steadily
but surely moved forward.
The speakers who addressed the meeting at
National Hall, complained OF no one party, but
OF all parties. Wings denounced the party wor-
ship of the officers who had administered the 60
vernment under favor of wing majorities, as well
as like administrations of other parties, under
like favor Of their political friends the expression
was unanimous against National or State politics
being introduced into municipal affairs at ALL
1t will require nerve, perseverance, talent and
energy to get this good movement started but in
the view of all the evils resulting from the malad-
ministration Of our government success must re-
suit from action. Every man who pays taxes
every person who pays rent-every one who pays
board, or grocer's butchers or bakers bills, in
short, every man above a pauper, has direct in
terest in this matter, and it only requires that
respectable number of voters should throw off,
SO far as the city is concerned, the shackles OF
party, and, in simple justice to themselves, muster
courage enough to de fend their own rights against
the trickery Of political usurpation and cquish
chicanery. Our beautiful island, which ought TO
be built up with double the rapidity which does
really mark the growth of the city, is lending to
neishboring cities and villages, out Of as well as in
our State, tho strength which ought to increase
its own bulk, and add to Its beauty. Our political
incubi, threaten capitalists, and say in effect
invest money here il you dare, and we will
soon ride you SO rough a tax jaunt that you will
be glad to leave this field of enterprise" But
men who invest money are very apt to look be-
fore they leap, and the result is that fortunes
made here and laid out elsewhere; while those
whose business compels them to remain in the
city, Omen OF moderate means for most part,)
have to pay the whole bill, which the cool impu
dencs of these pets of the parties saddle upon
them in the absence of the Others
While prodgality and vagrancy rewarded
with comfortable quarters, exemption from labor,
and plenty OF food and clothing, with carriage
ride to the polls twice year-whe rowdyism is
defended, and perjury winked at-while all these
immunities and privileges are enjoyed by the dis
solute and worthess-honesty, industry and fru-
gality, fit but dare result in property owning,
10 punished with fines, in the shape Of taxes,
often reduploated by special assessments for local
Improvements. We do not pay tithes 10 the
priesthood Of the church, but to more unprom
ising order. Our tithes go to pay for turtle soup
segars, and the delicacies Of the season, to be
consumed officially in public halls And this i.
not all the tax payers of New York have to pay
for the wire pulling of the party in power, which
ever one it may be. For instance: These ex
penses Of committees, COLONIZATION" and Other
little pleasant acts of foul dishonesty, &c., &c
are, as is well known, paid by party tax, levied
principally upon office holders, who have to pay
a certain per cent upon the amount of salary they
receive. This salary comes out of the city trea SUI
ry-the city treasury is filed by tax payers. Now
unriddle this rddle-who pays for the acts of par
ty corruption?
The city reform movement is good one, anc
lift can be carried out in good faith, will result il
remedying the evil complained Of We shall
take care to report all the doings OF the new par
ty, so long as it deserves public attention, an,
thus aid in giving wide publicity to them.