The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-15


Now that the Mexican war has been termina-
ted, Congress should at once 60 to work and
finish the immense mass Of public business which
has been delayed for years, in consequence partly
of the brilliant episode which has Just been
closed by the treaty of peace. Possibly it may be
as WELL also, to pass the ten regiment bill, in or
der TO show the Mexican Congress and people
that we are In earnest in this country.
But the action ofCongress ought be particu
larly directed to the quick and rapid finishing
up of the old business lett on hand, that they
may afterward proceed in good earnest to legis-
late, by making wise laws for the future conduct
OF this vast and increasing repubc. We stand
now in a new position before the old and the new
world covered with honor and glory, enlarged
with extensive territory, and only having
deb which we easily wipe away in the
course of ten or twelve years. Much will yet
be required to settle up the accounts of the army;
but we thiek that the mere settling of accounts,
paying up dsdeucies and balances, &c., nee
not teke up much time of Congress We should
lock out for the future, and make arrangements
for the vast and increasing prospect of the
greatness which opens upon us in all quarters
The next war will be naval campaign-and
that should be prepared for,
The termination of the will generally
please the country, whatever difference Of
opinion may have existed as to its commence
meDt and progress. Some grumblers there yet
may be; but all things considered, it was best to
agree to the treaty, and present to the world
the sublime spectacle of national magma
nimity in not keeping possession of all Mexico.
We have already astonished the civilized world
by the number Of our brilliant VICTORIES and
now the magn animlty of our conduct, in giving
back to Mexico her nationality, and the bes, part
of her territories, will produce the happest re-
suits upon the world at large, aud entitle US to
the respect and admiration of Europe, for the
high toned and magnanimous principles which
have actuated our government.
We trust, therefore, that Congress will 60 to
work at once, and make speedy and short ses-
sion, doing the business of the country with
promptness and despatch, and emitting nothing
necessary to the advancement and promotion Of
all the varied interests of this vast confederacy
The POLICE SYsrEn.-We understand that tn e
proposed amendments of the existing police sys-
tenn, have been at length consi gned to the " tomb
of all the Capulets" by the Board of Aldermen
1t seems the new project met with general con-
domination. 1t was charged as being merely
mer years. Very likely.
We are much disposed to believe, from all we
can gather and learn, that the existing police
system, with few additional amendments, is the
best which can be devised for this city The
amendment we mean would be a change of
the power OF appointment from seventeen in
divIduals 10 a board, one power, for
the whole city. The system, as it ap-
4
out with good intentions and strict integrity, will
no doub. work much better than the old system.
The defce1cles Of the present police system,
however, are owing more to the want of admi-
nlstrative talents in its various elements, than
any other cause. During the recent funeral OBJ
sequles paid TO Mr.. Adams, and the triumphan,
reception Of Mr.. Clay, the presest police system
worked remarkably well, ard showed its eff
cheney IN keeping order among the immense
crowds of our dense population.
Ta> great deficiency of our police no doUb.
has proceeded. hitherto fro m the want of pro-
per organization in its administrative depart
ment. IL is computed that property n the
amount Of 800, 900 dollars is annually pundered
and robbed in our city. These robberes aud
burglaries are generally all Of them reported to
the police by the sufferers; but, singular to me n
ton, only about one-ienth OF this amount 10 ever
recovered by the energy of the police The sys
TEN OF rewards is also a bad thing in the
administration OF the police. Our police
mea have sufficient salaries 10 command
their utmost exerticns; but by this system of re-
wards, their energies are diminished, and 1t
often happens, are destroyed altogether in macy
cases where they expect TO get no reward over
and above their regular salary
We think the present system, in its essential
parts, should rot be chonged. but that such
smena mcnis should he introduced into IL us
won d render II more pure more enrrpptic. and
still more deserving tae cJohdcrce AID support
OF the citizens.
Murine Aurha