The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-05
Tho Charter Election, ana tho Amended
Charter.

VA0 NhoTtoT hlSGtOsrS hnU tlAo AAAohuoN
Charter.
We are ON the eve of the charter election On
Tuesday next our citzens will be called upon to
exercise the right of outrage, and to select their
servants for another year, and perhaps longer.
For a number OF wears past our charter election
has bee n nothing but a farce, performed once
year, at a stated tIme for the benefit OF wire-pul-
lers and politicians, and resulting In nothing but
expense to the public Election after election has
been held, revolution after revolution of parties
has BET brought about, but with the same result
Invariably, no matter whlchset OF men was in the
ascendaBcy. The career OF all parties who have
gained the control OF our city councils has been
one of waste, extravaganza, and corruption. TIE
taxes have increased from year to year until the
patience Of the public has been exhausted, until
they have reached some three millions of dollars
per annum-a sum greater than Is needed to con-
duct the government OF the most populo.s State of
the Union. Several attempts have been made at
,efoIm. The democrats were extravagant and
corrupt, and, on the promise and pledge of reform,
they have been turned out OF office. and the wings
put in power in their stead. But did we get the
promised reform No, SO far from that, they en-
deavoreo not only 10 rival but to excel their pre-
deceesors in waste and extravaganza. They in
their stead. But did we gain anything by the
charge? Nothing-except still greater increase
OF taxes, accompanied by still greater amount of
extravaganza and corruption. Thus have the
patient, long. suffering, hard-working people of
New York been banded by both the wings
and the democrats, as well as tile natives,
for a |, ng period, and 30 callous did the people
finally become, that we, after many VAIN endea.
dal cb
tics and support any party that would promise to
rival all it's predecessors tor twenty years in extra
vsgsnce. sno swell our taxes 10 at least five mil
Lions OF dollars, with the hope of arousing them.
The ensuing charter ell cuon will be one OF the
greatest interest and importance The two sec.
tiOns OF the d. mocralc party, after abusing each
other 70 their hearts content, have finally conclud
ed to take drink toy. ther aud be friends again
They have accordingly selected one man to repre-
sent them as their Candidate Tor the mayoralty-
Mynceit Van Setback, Esq one OF our oldest and
most reept ctable citizens Without such union,
the wings would undoubtedly have walked
over the course at their lelsures; but now the
chances are d. cdedly IN favor OF the democracy
1t will be an important election, because the people
will have 1t III their power to secure reform by
merely voting for 1t. The amended charter, which
we have heretofore referred to, and copy OF
which we publish in this mornings Herald as
an Advertisement. will be submitted to them for
Adoption or rejection. If they choose, they can
prevent, Tor all time to come, the extravagancs
which has marked our previous history, aud
Sc cure what we 80 much ne.d-a government OF
responsb lty, from the Mayor down to the sea-
vepger that cl. ans the streets. No one can deny
that our city expenditures need not be large
they are, aid tnat corruption has heretofore al
ways existed in the several branches of our muai-
cipal COVE rnment. We shall give an instance OF
recent occurrence.
Ii is well known to our readers, that there
has been a good deal OF trouble and difficult
ty, Tor some time past, IN relation to the Will
Harrisburg terry, In our Common Council A
certain resolution, in connection with thus matter,
havipg passed the Board oil Aldermen, it was sent
20 the Assistants for concurrence. On two sepa-
rate occasions the latter body refused to sanction
1t, BY large vote but 1t seems that change came
over their minds very suddenly, and attended with
such circumstances as to leave an impression on
the mind, that effected by something more
than argument, ssmsthDg more sold and substan-
tai thsn PERSUASION; IN fac, that It was brought
about by bribery and corruption. We do not
charge that the Assistant Aldermen, or at least
such 81 ths m ss were formerly opposed to the pas
sage OF the measure, and afterwards recanted,
were brbed; but we can think what we pie ase in
the matter We shal! briefly state the circumstan-
cee, ard leave our readers to form their own con-
illusions
This measure, then, which was twice rejected
by the Board Of Assistants, was aRitated again on
Friday evening last, and after prolonged discus
sion II ~as c"ncurrtd In and passed by that body
much TO the surprise OF every who was present
byatremendous majority. Now, we would like to
know what It was that brought about this change |
OF oplnicn-whst influence achieved such an ex.
traordnary revolution in the minds OF the Assist
ant Aldermen on this subject. The represen
of the Eleventh Ward, Assistant Aide I'm an M Her.
can perhaps explain the matter. II report be true
he ntimsted pretty strongly that something more
than conviction OF the proprIey and justice of pass
Ing the resolution, was It. When his turn to speak
arrived he arose, aud expressed his surprise tina;
men " no had ON all previous occasions opposed
the me assure were then advocating 1t, and he
would like 10 know what arguments had been used
with them since the previous meeting OF the Board,
when they opposed IT. He feared, however, he
SAID, that those arguments which had thus infu-
enced their Judgments and their votes, could not
be mentioned IN the Council room, and that he was
'us'hed In thus speakog, from the fact that he I'd
been 'NIasered with hnsef, and had been actually
cheTtd price Tor his vote.
the is devtlopem.nt indeed-one that we are
confd Mt will some stir and excltemeptl In this
community. Did Mr. Miller mean to convey. that
these who opposed and voted against that measure.
ontwc prevousoccasIons,a and vote aver OF II on
Fndsy evening, were, to use plain term. br,bed to
change Their m.nds' 1t certainly looks as if he
dyd Al all events, at q loss to put any other
Construction upon his remarks. II this be the case
III bribery was charged, we call upon Mr.. Miller,
ia the name OF an insuted and outraged people,
for additional particulars OF this extraordinary
case il any member or members Of the Common