The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-08

divided In France as 1t is in this country. There
10 no land monopoly there, as there Is in England,
and other European countries.
To sum up-the people OF France have universal
suffrage IN the widest sense of the term the press
has unlimited freedom; the people are diversi-
fed In their pursuits, in much the same way as
those OF the United States The circulation of
newspapers is immense; every man has become
politician; there no land monopoly; property is
pretty equally distributed; and the people have the
advantage OF their own experience under the old
revolution, as well as that OF the American repub-
lie. In addition to all these, the people of France
are more intelligent than they ever were they
think more than they ever did; and the peculiar
and revolutionary condition OF the rest of Europe
forbds the idea that the great powers, which COM
blned to put down the first republic, or the empire,
can do go again. They are just as well balanced
in every particular as in the United States are.
Taking these things into view, therefore, we see
no reason to doubt the permanence Of the French
republic, under Louis Napoleon. On the contrary,
we have abundant ground on which to believe that
it will last and that reaction is out of the question.
The orderly and quiet manner in which the Presl-
Dental election was conducted, confirms us In this
view.
The GRAND JURY's INVESTIGATION OF BLACK
WELLS IsLAND.--Weun understand the grand jury have
finished their investigation into the management
ofthe penitentiary on Blackwel's Island, and other
matters of similar nature, and that they will
make their presentment, with the evidence, to the
0f Soos tn he inv sttO ftOn hoo
been very .laborous one, and their presentment
will extend to fifty or sixty pages of manuscript,
including the evidence.
This presentment, and the evidence, will pro-
duce something of sensation beyond the walls
Of the penitentlary or the Tombs. As far as we
can learn, there has been, unquestionably, In the
history of BlacKwell's Island, great mismanage-
ment during the last twelve or fifteen years, arts
ing, however, more from the looseness OF the sys-
tenn which that department OF our city affairs is
organized, than from any actual delinquency on
the part of the officers in powers. 1t Is said that
Mr.. Acker has committed some improprletles In
extending favors to certain classes of prisoners.
The notorious Madam Restell, it appears, has re-
ceived more attention than the remainder of the
prisoners, having been accommodated with good
bed and superior fare, besides enjoying the privi-
ege of wearing apparel not according to the rules
of the prison. No great culpabilty, however, will
be attributed to Mr.. Acker, other than looseness
in the management, which has arisen more from
the general system adopted previously, and which
descended to him from his predecessors.
The evidence attached to the presentment, will
present some startling intelligence to the public.
II will appear that some strange appointments Of
policemen have been made in some of the wards,
by certain aldermen. Convlcts just released from
the State prison, and persons who attempted to
vote illegally, havetbeen elevated by certain mu-
ncipal factions to the important Office of police
men, contrary to all propriety and decorum In
such matters Another important point IN this pre-
sentiment or report. Is recommendation to the
Common Council for the reorganization of the
penitentiary, and similar institutions. We learn
that the grand jury will recommend the establish
ment OF board of commissioners, to be composed
OF men taken from our most respectable and re-
liable citizens, to whom will be consigned the
power of experimenting, managing, and dispensing
the expenditures connected with these criminal
establishments. The annual expense of Black
wells Island, and its dependencies, amount to
halt million of dollars. This great amount is
discussed under no other authority than that of
committee of the Common Council; and the men,
of this, well as Of other committees, are 80 much
employed In other matters, both municipal and
personal, to say nothing of side speculations and
political manGuvres, that 1t seems impossible that
the management of Blackwels Island can be con-
Quoted any longer on the system which has
proved to be inefficient. Indeed, we think it
would be well to extend the views which will be
given by the grand jury on the reorganization of
the system on which the penltentiary on Black
wells Island Is conducted, to every other depart
ment Of our city affairs, so that we may have
complete revolution and reform in our whole ad-
mInlstratlon of municipal affairs. Our taxes for
the present year will amount to more than three
millions of dollars. They increase every year In
geometrical ratio, and yet the public business is
less attended TO, and the public comfort decreases
as the expenses of the cityIgovernment increase.
The ART UNION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BUsI-
NEss.-We have received several articles recently,
making some searching inquiries respecting the
management of the Art Union during the last year;
and containing some suggestions concerning the
improperly of the lottery system adopted by that
body, in contravention of the laws of this State,
for the purpose of collecting vast sums of money,
and distributing the proceeds in few paintings of
no proportlonate value to the original subscriptions.
We do not know much of the history Of this asso-
citation, or of the points censured The first idea
Of such union was taken, we believe, from a
SIMILAR establishment In London; but the system
of lottery gambling which is adopted is, we know,
contrary to law, although 1t may be winked at BY
the authorities, from the hope that it will promote
and encourage the fine arts It may be ques-
tionable matter, in moral point of view how far
the public will support acquiesce in violation
of the law, for the purpose OF extending benefits
to artists, particularly when many Of the artists
complain of the internal management of the as.
ISOLATION, during the last two years at least The
The whole subject is worthy OF being examined,
and we hope that some one competent for the task