The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-31

two Or more associates in guilt. and cannot be
yelled in the shruud OF secresy ON which the
murderer and the thief rely for impunity. On
the other hand, the penalties are not so Draco-
nian as 10 become merely comminatory. No
Judge need feel any qualms of conscience at
fning wealthy alderman $4,000, or sending
q corrupt contractor to Jail for Eve years to
learn honesty. 1t would do the whole commune
ty vast deal Of good to witness similar SEN
tence.
So far, then, as the Legislature is concerned,
we may safely consider their task as efficiently
performed in this particular. It rests with the
citizens at large to complete the work. We
have repeatedly expressed our conviction that
corruption. to be efectually checked, ought to
be attacked in private life as well as in the pub
lie arena-to be frowned down by every indi-
vidual, as we'll as nssailed by the collective
voice of the press. We are gratifed to find that
SO respectable an authority as the New York
delegation concurs in our view. The report
before us reminds the citizens Of New York, in
brief but convincing terms that they must look
to the ballot box for effective protection against
peculation, and ascribes the disgraces Of the
past, not so much to the defects of existing laws
as to the negligent and criminal manner in
which they have been administered. In one
word, men must begin to talk and think of cor
ruption as no fit subject for TESTING or merri-
ment Instead of struggling their shoulders
and smiling hopelessly at the recital of case
Of infamous dishonesty, an honest flush Of indig-
nation ought to glow on their cheek. and q
thorough contempt for the offender take root in
their heart. If those against whom corrupt
conduct in an official position has been proved
were visited with the private scorn and the
universal Reproduction of their neighbors, we
should hardly need penal statute against
bribery.
In other respects, the bill, so far as we have
examined it, has cur full appreciation. The al
teration of the constituencies we have already
applauded. Past experience has proved the
fatal danger Of entrusting aldermen with the
power to bail offenders committed by magis-
trates; this is now taken away, and their judi
cial functions are confined to the arrest COM
mitment, and bailing Of offenders brought be-
fore themselves Ferries. docks, piers, sales of
public property. &C., are to be adjudged by auc-
ton; but the right Of presumption, which Gus
tom has conferred upon owners of beach lots to
the water lot adjacent, is judiciously preserved.
The lessee of ferry shall be required to pur-
chase the boats, buildings, and other necessary
fixtures of his predecessor, at fair valuation.
Nor has the recent wasteful expenditure of the
corporation for festivals. funerals, &C.. been
overlooked. The new council are forbidden to
devote the public funds to any such purpose,
save only on the three historical anniversaries
Fourth Of July 25th Of November, and Washing
toms Birthday. The police are, hereafter, to be
appointed by Board of Commissioners COM
posed of the Mayor, Recorder. and City Judge
All that legislative caution can do to pre-
vent corruption and Encouragement in grant
ing contracts is here done. In all matters ex-
ceeding $3.50 in value the city council are
bound to advertise for tenders for ten days.
and to adjudge the contract to the lowest bid
der, with adequate security" and the tenders
are to be opened in the presence Of all the bid
ders who choose to be present. No contract
can be awarded to one who has once been de-
faulter to the city. A special bureau is up
pointed to audit the public accounts and thus,
if complaints of fraud or extravaganza are
made, citizens will know ON whom to lay the
blame Individual responsibility is our best
protection against fraud and negligence.
According to the closing sections of the bill,
the citizens are to vote upon it on the "Tues-
day succeeding the first Monday" in August.
This period was chosen in order to enable vo-
tiers to digest the provisions of the proposed
law before they gave or withheld their sane
ton. 1t is, perhaps, to be regretted that SO i'm
portant matter should be decided at time
when large proportion of voters are out of
town ; but as the election for officers will take
place in November, we hardly see how the COM
mittee could have acted otherwise. 1T was pro-
posed to adopt separate elections for city Of
fcers and for those of the State and federal
governments, but the committee have disposed
of this suggestion in conclusive manner
On the whole, we congratulate the delega-
ton on the fruit of their labors. They may
not have swept the stables of Augeas at the first
attempt, but they have certainly removed the
more conspicuous nuisances, and paved the way
for thorough publication.
CATHERINE MARKET.-In another part of to-
days paper, will be found an account of
the business of Catherine Market, with brief
sketch Of its history. At one period it was
considered the most important in the city,
and occupied the same position that Wash
ington Market does now. As New York,
however, increased in size. it was found to be
inadequate to its growing demands; and during
the last ten years it has declined so rapidly that
its removal has been seriously entertained by
the Common Council. It's position and limited
dimensions may be regarded as the principal
causps of its nrosent copditi Int thooo a 70 ~