The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-08

MUNICIPAL AND JUDICIAL CoRnUprIoN IN PHILA-
eveopemeDt has been made In Philadelphia, rxh.-
DELrHA.-Wiihin a fcw days, an extraordinary
biting the lameniable and deporable laxlty of the
morals of the public authorities of that city 1t
appears that some sf the aldermen and constables
have been detected IN conspiring together foe the
purpose Of extornng money from keepers OF drink
ing shops, class Of persons who, it appears, are
as extensive in Philadelphia, IN proportion to the
population, as they are in New York The man
ner in which The money was extorled was as fol-
lowsi-Some OF tina aldermen would give money
TO an ageat of his, to purchase liquor in cert lin
stores; and on the evidence thus furnished the
liquor dealer would be mulced IN certain fine by
the alderman. The cum thus levied would be
divided pro rata between the informer at whose
instance the party would be arrested, the consta-
bic who would make the arrest, aud the alderman
before whom the case would be heard. In this
way, we are informed, large sum would be col
lect~d In the course of year, IL was sworn by
one OF the intormers that Of the aldermen
charged with this mlsdemeanor, mentioned the
names of several persons 10 be proceeded against
In this dlsgraceful way, and actually furnished the
informer with bottles IN which 10 place the liquor
after he purchased it When the parties were
rested, and brought before the alderman, they
were fined, and the three conspirators-the
alderman, constable, and nformer-diyded the
plumber between them.
| These startling Developments, however, do not
Ike us by surprise We have heard great deal
Of The manner IN which some OF the judicial and
maeisterial functonayes in Philadelphia conduct
their business, and have been inclined to place re-
lance on the statements that have come under
/ notice. We have heard-auo we believe the report
/ has good foundation--that official corruption Is
almost general IN the administration of criminal
justice in Pbll.delpbia; that the stoopigeon sys-
tenn prevails there 10 an alarming extent that Off
GERS, justices OF the peace and ogues Of all shades,
are linked and bound together IN one grand con-
spiracy TO levy tribute on the community and to
plumber all within their reach. This system, 1t is
well known, prevailed in New York at one time;
but 1t was broken up and destroyed. 1t has taken
refuge in Philadelphia, and there ourshes in full
vigor, If ons-tenh part of the charges which have
been made against ihe authorities there, are true.
Those charges have not only never been denied,
but circumstances occur, from day TO day, which
tend TO show that there is TOO much truth in them.
What melancholy picture does not Phlladel-
rhla present, when such practices as these are
traced TO the authorities What safety can there
he TOR life or property, when the authorities are
linked with thieves and roeues, and share the pro-
fits arising from their deprrdstions on the commu-
nifty? II the parties to thus lniqnitous conspiracy
! he not arrested in their vanous career, their I'M
punty from punishment will lead them to the CON-
mission OF greater crimes, and murder, even, will
be resorted To as means of accomplishing their
ends. What wonder is it that rutfianism and row.
dyitm prevail in Philadelphia, and that peaceabe
citizens cannot walk the Streets night day, with
out being molested, or perhaps killed, when such
Developments these come to lghtl
The respectable portion Of the people OF our sis
ter city should at once take this matter in hand,
and apply, remedy, by re-oTga1izing their whole
municipal ADMINISTRATION. Under the influence of
a corrupt magis;racy, the character OF their city.
once 80 honorable, has been lost, and instead of
being termed the CITY Of Brotherly Love, as Of
yore, it is designated the City Of RowdyIsm.