The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-20
NEW YORK. HERALD.
New York, Tuesday, April 20, is47.
Foreign News.

corn and hunger We did these individuals in
justice in making that remark, because the wires
were broken by the force of the wind which pre-
vailed at the time. We now make the amende
honorable, and exonerate them from the charge
Mammon knows they have enough to shoulder
already, without burdening them with this II
they did not break the wires in that instance,
however, they may when the steamship shaii
have positively arrived. II would be well, there
fore for our citizens keep their eyes open' anu
look out for these chaps.
If the Cambria does not arrive very soon, she
will be beaten out Of all but four days Oh hei
news by the Sarah Sands. This, however cNh
hardly happen, because the Cambria IS tue ias's''
ofthe Cunard line; and because also, the proprie-
tors Of the Sarah Sands never expected nef 70
make the western passage IN less than twenty OF
twenty one days.
The promissd Reforms In our City Govern
mcnt.
II is really amusing to read the disinterssted
and patriotic outpourings of some Of the pa
pers in this city, since they have ascertained
that the wings have positively regained their
power in our city councils. The political text,
"to the victors belong the spoils' is to be aban-
doned, and no man ls to be removed from office
on account of his politics. Unftness and incapa-
CITY lot TIC &c VI Ills uuticb 10 W NC VIC
sole cause of removal. They think, nowadays,
that the principle, ''to the vlctors belong the
spoils,'' is the most pernicious that any people
possibly practise upon that II leads TO cor
ruption; that it demoralzes the people fosters
the spirit of ofice-seeking, and renders our po
Gtical contests mere strifes for office.
Commencing with avowa to discard this
principle, the practice of which they attempt to
fix exclusively on the democratic party, they
boldly talk of reforming the whole system of our
city government; Of reducing the number of
officers; ofreducing the compensation of officers
10 the lowest possible sum for which capable
and honest men will fill them and in particular,
of reducing the expenses of the Aims House.
This is,all CANNON; it is all CANNON with the
wings, az with the natives or democrats.
Now these reforms no doubt sadly needed
in New York; and if they shall be carried out
will essentially serve the city, and reduce the
enormous taxation that our citizens have suf-
fcred for series of years past, to mode
rate sum. But should like to know very
much the premises that impelled these pa
pers to the conclusion that "to the victors be-
long the spoils,'' is exclusively democratic
doctrine. That it is perncious and demoraliz-
ing doctrine all will admit, but we are of opinion
that it has been practised much by the wings
as by the democrats, any other class of politi-
clans. When the wings and natives were before
III power, the gulllotlne set in motion the
very day Of their installation, and was worked
until every devil of democratic head in office
was cut off. The doctrine of 'to the victors be-
long the spolls' was not then repudlated, but II
is repudiated now, and why We shall see.
1t is rather unusual to see these philosophers,
after the election is over, speak in favor of re-
form. Before the election the wings generally,
went far beyond the democrat, in making pledges
of retrenchment and reform, but after the cleo
ton, and after they acquired control of the city
government, not syllable SAID, in years past,
about their pledges; and the reforms which they
SO strenously promised, were entirely neglected.
This year, however, things are different, and
why?
Now profess to know something of party
politics in this city. In this instance the wings,
or rather the whig leaders, would fam make us
believe that they are actuated by honest and
conscientious motives in dlscardlng the princi-
pie that 'to the victors belong the spoils," and
In preparing TO carry out the reforms which they
promised before the election. But these leaders
are not whit more honest than they were,
and 1.-THE betterprlncpled than the democrats
whom they have defeated. It suits them at this
particular time to discard that principle and also
to carry out their promised reforms which they
will probably do but that political honesty has
any influence in the matter is stuff; there is
nothing of the kind. 1t is nothing but move
ment towards the next Presidential election, and
they are throwing dust in the eyes of our citizens,
TO prevent them from seeing their real motives
They think that if they conduct the city gov
eminent for the year Is47 to the satisfaction of
our citizens, and avoid prescription on account
Of political opinions, they will be reelected
in 1873; and the Presidential election takes
place lin that year, the possession of this
city will aid them considerably in electing their
candidates. They say themselves sc as goes the
city goes the State-as goes the State so goes
the Unon.'' This is a key to explain their alb
horrence at the present time, Of the doctrine of
"to the vctors belong the spoils," and will fully
warrant the mystery of their intention OF carry
ing out the reforms they promised.
We shall be very glad, however, if they do
carry out the intention here Swallowed forth.
There are some good democrats in Office, and if
few good wings are appointed to fill the places
of those democrats who might be turned out of
office, it will be good thing for the city, and
perhaps for this the wings ought to carry the
city and State in lS4s.
AFFAIRS WITH MEXICO. RI hecting on the nu-
merous brilliant victories that arms have
achieved in Mexico, it is to be wondered at that
the people of that country have not come to their
senses ere this, and seen the folly and madness
IN continuing struggle so much to their disad-
vantage, and which, if prolonged for few years,
will certainly end in their subjugation a nation,
and their incorporation with the United States
of the North.
In all the following battles victory has perched
our banners, and the loss TO the enemy was
tremendous In Palo Alto, Rcsaca de la Palma,
Monterey, and Buena Vista, in one section of
Mexico San Juan de Ul6a and the city of Vera