The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-10
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.


common CouuCu.-I Inc Lea ROVW hJoW-DtsPost-
ton of Contraets.--Ihs Last Legislature. -kossuh
and the nesol y established Hungarian Prsss.Oygani
sation of the Nsw Legislature g. Governors Message
The New Year brings with il many things besides the
OF good wishes and the compliments OF the
season To us OF the city and State Of New York pre-
,enis entire change OF city and State government, or
rather change OF those to whom the legislative and
most OF the executive duties are conhded and one which
N the present instance we may. without much apprehen
zion of disappointment fairly expect will be for the
better.
Our last common council by universal consent is ad-
mtted TO have been of the most reckless and
agant not TO say INSCRIPTIONS and corrupt that
conducted our municipal affairs The detail Of their do
ngs. rather msdongs, would occupy space than
your columns could Afford il were il is not, of
any particular interest to your readers but one two
specimens Of their mode OF doing business may not be
out OF place. not only matter of curiosity, but also as
afordng an illustration of what wing legislative body
small scale do, il left to themselves From time
immemoral an establishment denominaed the Tea Room
has been kept up by the keeper Of the City Hail. under
the authority OF the council for the benefit OF
the city fathers who were in the habit, after fatgung
night session. oil adjourning 10 this pleasant apartment
and partakng Of reieshmen The repast provided
for these dignitaries always liberal one, and OF
late years has been one OF the most recherche and luxu
rious character Game and oysters. wines and liquors.
besides cigars OF the first quality, not only smoke but
to pocket by the handful furnished in lavish abun-
Dance gentle soace for the labors and privaons OF
two three hours sitting And where was the harm
Our aldermen and assistant aldermen performed the du
ties of their Office without fee or reward; and they
thought and the people thought with them, that they
were fully entitled TO trifng a qualification, and SO
they enjoyed it. and paid for out OF the city purse for
a hundred years and more, without question or CON-
plant from their constituents. Not long ago. however,
certain wing philosopher editor, political economist and
tba~ 49,
from ruin by his stupendous efforts to curail Congress
sional mileage-found out that the Corporation Tea
Roomthat good old fashioned relic of Knickerbocker
hospitaty-was frghtfu abuse injurious at once to
the health and morals Of the city fathers and to the pock
cts of the people Forthwith he opened his batteries
upon it. The bill of fare and expenses obtained
hbited TO the public each item examined and descanted
upon, and the whole thing denounced fraud and
speculation The wing party took the matter up, joined
in the cry, and after by Of those sad accidents
which sometimes befall u.s. democratic as we are
they obtained possession OF the city government
Then came reform. The Tea Room was swept and
garnshed; the cold meats thrown out OF the window !;
the crockery glass plate, and cooking utensils pack.
ed up and sent to auctions the wine, liquor and cigars
carefully put out Of the way and the apartment supplied
with tracts for the spiritual refreshment of the two
boards instead of the dantes upon which they
had been accustomed to fat. ''Good Well done !"
cried the philosopher who had brought about this sau-
ary change Amen !" said the people, amused at this
exhibition OF consciousness, and rebuked at the
thought that they had tolerated the tea table enor
nifty "What if our worthy members of the common
council have voted themselves four dollars day pay for
doing what their predecessors have always done for
nothing have not the that they will make
the best possible of the money! Such were the COM
ments upon the first proceedings OF our wing common
council who assigned themselves handsome per diem
compensation for their selfdenial in aburng the
n r. ~ LII - n.
surprise. when in very brief space of time we be-
held the old Tea Room lighted up again. and the worthy
fathers seated around the social board, which groaned
with the most costly vands enjoying the good things
before them exactly did their predecessors and each
coolly juggling his four dollars in his pocket by way
OF accompaniment This, however, is mere bagatelle
Neither the per diem nor the Tea Room expenses hough
together they may amount TO $4,000 $50, 000 will
make break the city OF New York But when we see
these officials awarding avore contract for
the erection OF public building when others equally
competent offer TO build serviceable for $4,000
less we are rresis,iby reminded that those who are
tricky in little things may be tricky in matters of more
importance. And when we find them attempting TO let
out the lighting and paving OF streets for long term
OF years. and at enormous prices to certain favored
poraons and individuals, our suspicion that all is moi
right amounts nearly conviction. From our new com
mon council (Which is decidedly democratic in both
banches) We hope better things and from the way in
which they have commenced their work, we have some
assurance OF il already,
The sayings and doings OF last legislature are fresh
in the minds OF every The unconstitutional creation
Of the million loan, the unfortunate and Intellectual
attempt s,e it, and the subsequent struggle obtain
the control Of it, will be forgotten The present
legislature is equally divided that it is impossible as
ye, foresee what will be its policy though there is no
great risk in predicting that il will be Improvement
upon that OF its predecessor.
II are to believe reports from Washington, kossuh
has become convinced that his mission this country
so far at least he hoped to the active inerven
ton Of government in favor OF Hungary. failure
We had apprehension that such would be the case as
as ascertaned by whom he was surrounded and
what class OF people the noisy and vociferous
in their demands that his every wish should be graied
and his every requisiiion complied with II ever man
had 10 exclam Save from my friends" il is
the great Magyar No did he set his foot upon
soil than he enorced and beset by clique Who
had predetermined TO make use of him for their own
purposes and who fairly ebowed out OF the way those
who could and would have given him sound advice and
real assistance The hearts OF the people are with him
The capable OF any reasonable sacrifice and
exeron in favor OF his cause but at the same time they
think, they reflect, they wish TO advsedly and they
have confidence in those who aspire 10 counsel and
direct him An occurrence has just taken place in this
city which, while il may illustration of the
TO which the clique have alluded TO intend 10 mn,
the Magyar's name and influence, may do him serious
injury, unless il be explained Two Hungarans of
them former partner OF Kossuh in the publication of