The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-08
Majority in favor Of new charter. .....

Majority in favor of new charter .... 1921
Let us not stop to look back at the past.
What it was-what deeds it shall answer for
what calumnies it gave birth to-what cruel
Injustice it nurtured-it were now both useless
and painful to recall. The future is the proper
picture for present contemplation. Leave to
the historian the harsh task of painting in its
true colors New York in 1852. Oblterate every
trace of the laws which were recorded in the
statute book for the information Of the curious
and the instruction of posterity, but which were
never intended or attempted to be carried into
effect Whisper not word of aldermanic re-
sistance to law, of violations of civic rule, of
profgate expenditure, Of wanton dissipation Of
the public property, Of corrupt favoritism and
dishonesty. Let all these abuses sleep in the
grave to which, we trust. yesterdays vote
has consigned them. Of ali the records
of the era which has just ended. we would have
the people of New York remember but one fact
We would have them bear steadily in mind
that the law they adopted yesterday, and
which, judicously and honestly remembered,
will bestow on US and our children the blessings
of an upright and economical government, is
the fruit of the labors OF the New York dele
CATION in the Legislature. and that whatever
credit it reflects on its authors belongs OF right
to them To the Assembly appertains the
merit of its adoption. To the Metropolitan
Hall Committee belongs certain share of
praise for their efforts fer reform, and for the
time and attention necessary to secure the
boon 30 much desired by our citizens.
This one item of our past history we would
fain see rescued from tie oblivion which ought
to enshroud the rest. Now, the proper sphere
of patriotic citizens is the future-the carrying
out Of the law it has cost so severe a struggle
to pass That is the point towards which all
our energies should be directed. That is the
wheel to which every shoulder should be placed
The reformed charter tends to abolish the
distinction heretofore existing between the
government Of the city and the governed. 1t
sconfers upon the people fuller measure Of
-self-government than Gny community ever en-
joyed. 1t is the nearest approach that can
safely be made to the popular assemblies of the
ancient republics. Under its operation, the
real civic power will reside in body of sixty
men, chosen from as many small districts, into
which the city will be parcelled. All appro-
priations of money viii originate with them;
liz fact. the actual government of the city will
be placed in their hands. The only sound
guarantee, therefore, for an honest and eco
na-nical administration OF the law will be in the
character Of these councilmen. Selected, as
they will be, from small districts, every voter
will be able to exercise the right of suffrage
Understandings. He will, in general, have
some acquaintance with the private cha
racter of the candidates who solicit his support
He will not, as formerly, be compelled to
choose between men who were equally stran-
gers to him and be tempted to allow his po-
ltical afinities to usurp the place Of a sound
discrimination. 1t is but reasonable to presume
that the gentlemen who may eovet the honor
of representing one-sixtieth Of the city will be
tolerably well known to the residents of that
district. 1t will then devolve on those resi-
dents to decide which of the two or more can
didates who offer themselves has the highest
reputation for integrity and business tact All
other qualities are moonshine. Business tact
and integrity are the two things needful for
councilman. If he have these he will do
his part to govern the city as it ought to be
governed. If he have not these requisites, it
will matter not button that he be eloquent.
amiable, rich, influential, popular, or fair
spoken; he will be the man.
This great problem Of managing rightly for
municipal affairs is thus reduced to very SIM
pie question. If the citizens Of New York are
sincere in their recent cutlery for good gov
eminent, they have now an opportunity Of
proving it. All that is required is to know, and
choose knowingly, their delegates to the Com
mon Council. Having done this, they may re-
turn with tranquil conscience to their private
avocations-the city business will be soundly
and honestly administered. The Legislature
has done all it can. The press have lavished
their influence. The remainder of the task de-
wolves on the citizens alone.
Each voter bears an integral share Of the re-
sponsblity, and will bear an integral share of
the blame in case of failure. IT. being a demo-
crat, he allows himself to be persuaded to
vote for democratic candidate, of whom he
knows nothing, or whose character is not above
in preference to whg whose reputa-
ton is unblemishcd-o if, being a whig. he
denies his support to an honest democrat. to |
give it to political jobber Of the whig school.
he is laboring to defeat the beneficial design of |
the reformed charter and to perpetuate the re-
gime it purports to overthrow. If again,
through negligence or indifference, he omits to
cast his vote at the elections for councilmcn he
labors as effectively, though negatively, for the
same end If such course of conduct is pur-
sued by any considerable number of our fellow.
citizens, the result il inevitable. We shall |
again relapse into the mire, out of which we |
fancy We have emerged. Cries Of corruption
and pisgoyernment will again rend the air, and