The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-07

| sorbed all others of local interest in this me-
tropolis-which is discussed in the palaces of
the Fifth avenue as warmly as in the humble
residences of the working classes-which has
even penetrated into Wall street and usurped
for the moment the place of commercial specu-
lations-which is in fact on every tongue. and
occupying every mind. is the great and impor.
tant matter of municipal reform. For many
months past ominous and not suppressed
murmur has been heard intimating the sup
! posed existence Of corruption where honor and
rectitude were most to be expected. and now
that murmur has swelled into a thunderpeal OF
popular complaint. The action of the Grand
Jury in ndicting two Aldermen of New York
for mal1easance in Office and for specific charges
of bribery came upon the public as an assn
rance that there was foundation for the rumors
which had been afoat, that the men whom the
citizens of New York had selected to watch
/ over their interests and administer their affairs
had betrayed the confidence reposed in them.
and been untrue to their constituents and to
their own honor.
This feeling. which seemed to have seized
upon all classes of the community. and to have
enlisted all Glasses ana cOHulJlOus VI ucu aiming
its entertainers found vent on Saturday even
ing in the immense gathering of citizens who
assembled in Metropolitan Hall, pursuant to
call, to adopt measures for reforming the abuses
which it is assumed have taken possession Of
the municipal Offices. On the platform were
congregated men Of wealth. intelligence and
worth, whose commercial enterprise has added
| 10 ha uraa tuaa nd vnrncparifv M mi yraat
metropolis; and throughout the hall the men Of
capital, and the men whose only capital is their
brawny arm sat or stood side by SIDE animated
by one common feeling, and exhibiting the deep
est interest in the objects and proceedings ofthe
assembly. 1t was, indeed, striking manifesto
ton of that national probity that regard for rec
titude and fair dealing, and that determined hos
tiity to every thing bearing the semblance ofcor-
ruption or dishonor, which hold such conspicu-
, Gus place in the American character The pro-
| ceedings were conducted with a degree of
moderation which is the best guarantee of the
final success of the movement. There was no
} recrimination INDUCED in; no desire to
prejudice improperly the public mind in
respect to those whose characters are
soon to be placed under the most searching or
deal of trial by jury, no attempt to PREJUDICE
, or influence the action of the courts unduly.
1t was just such meeting as reflected honor on
+ the citizens of New York who believing their
e interests to be set at nought and dsregarded
d by those in whom they had reposed their conf
e dence determined to act more wisely them
selves in future, and to exercise more prudence
= in the selection of those to whom they intrust
!. the vast interests of their city
, The address prepared for adoption, and those
/. made by the several speakers who addressed
l the-meeting q full report ofwhch will be
; found in another portion of our columns to-day
all tended towards this one point: discrim-
nate better for the future and select your mu-
nicipal officers not for their politics but for
their integrity" These addresses will we are
convinced, be read with avidity by the whole
community. and it would be therefore matter
of supererogation for US to recapitulate the va
rious points in which reform is proposed The
principal one, however, is, that voters anxious
for the common veal should henceforth disre-
: gard all primary elections and the candidates
, put in nomination under them, and record their
votes-independent of party consideration-in
|
general respect in the community, as might
be proposed by committee of citizens, or
as might propose themselves. and solicit their
support Amendments of the existing charter
are also to have their share in reforming the
abuses complained Of and as all the points, in
this respect are comprised in bill introduced
into the Legislature on Saturday, we will speak
Of them in connection with this bill.
We, however, congratulate the citizens of
New York on the calm, temperate, and deter
mined attitude they have assumed in this crisis
of their affairs. And we confidently anticipate
that this dignifed moderation which they have
i exhibited will be fraught with the happiest re-
e suits. The public mind of New York always
= just and generous. would despise indulging in
abuse and recrimination of their servants re-
cognizing the truth that accusation does not
necessarily imply criminality, and leaving to
the judicial powers the punishment of those-if
any such there be in the Common Council-who
may be found guilty of fraud corruption or
malpractice in Office And the only wise and
: rational course in such circumstances was that
adopted at the meeting oblivousness of the
past, and watchfulness for the future.
But while there seems to be pervading this
community one unanimous and universal belief
in the culpability of the Common Council of New
York, and while they are on every hand regard
ed as body who have betrayed their trust and
contaminated their fingers with base brides. y
it is not only generous and fair. but it is neces-
cary for proper judgment, to listen to the de-
fence of the accused .audi oiteram parton is
q rule which no American, we are sure will
seek to set aside. We, therefore, present our
readers this morning with a letter from Alder
man Denman defending the Common Council