The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-12


been excited by the details of the dreadful riots
that took place In Philadelphia on the evening OF
the 9th instant, and the morning of the 10TH by
the accounts which we received OF the disgraceful
proceedings of the roters-who seem to flourish
unmolested in that city-it seems they appeared In
sufficient numbers to defy the authorities; and 1t
was not until the military were called out, and
were ready to fire on him, that they dispersed.
This, however, they did not do until they accom-
plshed their purpose, by destroying several houses
by fire, and killing and woundlng several culzens.
more disgraceful scene never took place in any
civilized community, and unless measures be
promptly and speedily taken to prevent repetition
of such melancholy spectacles Philadelphia has
repeatedly presented within the last few years,
that city will eventually be controlled by the riot
ers, and law and order become mockery Both
life and property will be unsaie-if, indeed, they
are not so already there-and rowdyism will gather
force and strength by continued impunity, until it
dictates to the respectable and well-disposed por
ton of the community. Such will be the result of
things in Philadelphia, if stringent measures be
not speedily used for the complete suppre sson of
the reckless and daring vagabonds, who have SO
long been permitted to disturb the peace of that
city.
The great cause of those disturbances and riots
is the defective organization of the municipal 60
vernmen There are several local governments
In that city, each acting independently of the
other; whereas, if all were consolidated, or If
there were but one central government for the
whole city and county, rowdyism would soon be
suppressed by united and de termned action I'm
der the present system there be no united
action. The aldermen of Moyamcnsing, for in
stance-which IS the hotbed of the rioters and
rowdes-will not discharge their duty, because
they are elected by the very men who cause the
disturbances which disgrace that city 1t is the
same in Southwark and other municipalities; and
hence there can be no unity of action among the
authorities IN suppressing riots and Furnishing those
who create them Our exemption, in the city of
New York, from similar scenes, is owing to the
manner in which municipal government is
organized We have no divisions, such exist
in Philadelphia; and although the of our city
were, we admit, washed with the blood of our
citizens at the riot in Astor Place, the deplo-
rable night of the tenth Of May last, yet, If our
authorities had adopted proper measures in
time, the collision between the military and the
rioters would not have taken place. There never
was worse management exhibited by the autho-
by Mayor Woodruff and his associates, and the
whole police force. When the riot reached cri-
els, the Mayor himself fled, and showed imbe-
city to a lamentable extent. Recorder Tai
madge was the only officer of the municipal go
vernment present who evinced proper energy and
decision If the others had acted with the deter
minaon that he did, and had taken proper measures
to make the police force available the first night
! 4. al. l.
been stopped in its incipiency, and our city would
not have been dlsgraced as it To the imper-
feet organization OF our police system, and the i'm
beciliiy displayed by the authorities, may be a,tri-
bued the disastrous collision between the militia
~ and the mob, and the loss Of life that followed.
Our police system is falsely constituted, in the
game way as is the municipal governments of Phi
adepbia. The men are appointed by the Mayor,
on the nomination Of the Aldermen of the respec-
tive wards, AMI the nominations are the reward
for political services rendered Hence there is an
alliance between the various Aldermen and the
police, and the officers whom the latter are ac-
countable by law, have really no control over
them Our police system, in fact, at present, is
nothing but political organization, divided into
as many sections there are wards in the city
It's ineficency therefore, is easily accounted for
and il becomes apparent, that unless II be re-or-
ganized, we might as well be without any. Look
at the conduct Of the police at the present time,
and tLs way in which they spend their time.
They are in crowds at every political caucas-are
the principal speakers and workers among every
knot of bar-room politicians throughout the city,
but are never to be found dong their duty. The
whole system must be altered, or 1t must be
abolished. Our citizens are taxed heavily for
maintaining it, and they receive nothing in return
But, as we said before, philadelphia will never
be exempt from rowdyism until their municipal
government undereoes a radical change. To this
end The energies Of the respectable aud law-abid-
ing portion OF The citizens should be drected-and
we hope they will be thus directed because the
numerous fights and riots which take place there,
reflect difgrace not only on that city, but on the
whole country, especially the estimation of the
old world.