The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-07


Council, and the necessity Of reform; but tho
denagogues who make political capital out Of
onsaughts upon o Common Council when it
is democratic, and are silent rs to the acts Of
the same Common Council when it is whig,
are either ignorant of the only way by which
reform can be effected, or knowing it, they are
unwilling to point it out. It is the press,
and the press alone, that can reform the Common
Council-whether wing or democratic-by giving
verbatim reports Of its proceedingsnot dry record
Of the official acts, but full report Of the speeches
OF the members.
In England the press is such a power that 1T Is
designated "the fourth estate" and controls the
other three-the sovereign, lords and commons.
That is, public opinion, created by the press, in
giving full and faithful reports Of the debates in
Parliament, modifes and controls the action of the
three estates Of the realm, and the press is regard
ed as an institution of the country, by which the
doings and sayings Of the representatives of the
nation, and the other branches Of the legislature
communicated to the people, and by means OF
which the people communicate to them. Thus,
corruption and misconduct are checked in
Parliament for whatever member says is
sent next mornng on the wings Of the PRESS through
out the length and breadth Of the land. The 60
4
the ministers are liable to be questioned at any
ment, and their answers reported.
The papers in Washington have not the same eff
feet upon Congress that the Times, Morning Chro
aicle, and Morning Herald have upon the British
Parliament. These journals are all independent Of
Parliament collectively, or Of the members ndividu-
ally and they report what is said and done, without
any fixing or alteration. If man under the
I oF dali
brilliant speech, it will have its influence
on the whole country. If q scoundrel COM
mits himself, that, too, will have an influence
upon the country, and very decided influence upon
himself Hitherto, the papers at Washington, in
stead Of controlling Congress, and being insitu-
ton to check corruption have been under the con-
troll Of Congress-beng hired to print the speeches
of members-while members had the power to mo-
dify, alter, and omit what they said, or to in
sert what they never said. Nefarious jobs
were thus covered up. The telegraph, how
ever, has done much to break up that corrupt and
demoralizing system. The country no longer looks
to tho Washington papers for reports for they arc
day late almost everywhere, and in some localities
several days BY the time the antiquated sheets
reach their destination, the debates have become an
old story, and nobody reads them-the people have
already read the Geographic reports in the New York
papers, and they will not so much as look at the
Washington papers.
The result is that the New York papers have al
ready produced tremendous effect upon Congress,
and every day keep that body in check. They
cannot insert, omit, or alter anything in the New
York papers, for they have control over them.
Their speeches appear almost as soon rs they make
them, all over the country, and accompanied, too,
with suitable comments. On the other hand, what
ever influence the Washington journals once had, is
now Dead and they are no better than waste paper.
This is the why they find it so difficult to get
the printing contracts from Congressman being any
longer of the slightest use to their party.
If the debates in the Common Council of this
city were published in full every morning, in the
! New York papers, the effect upon the Common
Council and the public interests would be even
greater than it is upon Congress. All the citi-
zeLs would read them, and it would soon be seen
who were the s'good men and true and who were
the worthless and corrupt. Men Of talent, and char
acter and responsibility would then seek the Office
of alderman, and they would make themselves
felt in the city, and in the country at large. The
Common Council would thus be rendered nursery
for patriotism, public virtue, and intellect of the
highest order Men Of ability would thus be brought
out, and they would have the opportunity Of so
distinguishing themselves that the people would
be no longer, they often are, at loss to find
suitable candidates for the State Legislature or
for Congress- or for other offices Of trust honor, and
emolument. The Common Council would be school
Of training for the highest Offices in the nation.
Men of integrity, intellectual calibre, and good
education, would then deem it honor to be
elected members of body which is in such bad
odor with the public that it is difficult to induce
any man Of good character good standing to
accept seat in the Corporation.
The true way, therefore, to reform abuses
in the Common Council, is to publish, IN
ertenso, the speeches Of its members. This
would elevate their tone, by bringing them
into immediate contact with their neighbors and
friends and the people at large; and black deeds
Of corruption could any longer be practised in the
dark--while, on the other hand, no party journal
could deal in generaties, unustly assal the Com
mon Council without being rebuked.
Will the Slievegammon journal go for our PROPOSE
ton, and join in laying the to the root of the
evil, instead of striking every now and then at
branch, which may have the effect, perhaps, of
bringing down shower Of leaves while the tree it.
self remains firm ever. and ready to put forth
foliage and new blossoms which will result in
abundant crop Of corruption, and proaigate, wasto-
full expenditure Of the public money? Win the
morning papers, of every shade Of politics. go in with
to publish the debates, and try what virtue there
is in healthy public opinion, generated through
the medium Of a free and independent press
MORTALITY AMONG THE SHIPPING AT DEMARARA.-
Capt Treat, Of the brig Ellen Maria, arrived yester
day morning from Demerara, reports that at the time
he left, Dune 26,) fearful mortality was raging
among the shipping in the barber. Dates to the
18th July, received previously, make no mention Of
the fact.
The French Opera and Ballet Trou pes, ut
/ Castle Garden.
Last evening, in spite Of the rainy weather. the magn