The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-21


great commercial and philanthropic project Of
the Ebony line of steamers be abandoned Is
not Liberia. and the African coast northward,
rich in palm oil, coffee, sugar, cotton, tobacco,
spices dyewoods. gold dust, ivory, and many
other articles of trade? 1t is to be hoped, for
The sake of the free colored people Of this coun-
nv. and for their relief that the administration
will recommend some plan to Congress. This is
the age of progress. And there is plenty Of
money in the Treasury.
The Vote ON the New Charter, on 9TH june
next.
The citizens of New York have now seven
teen days left to make up their minds on the
proposed City Charter. On the 7th June, they
will be required to adopt or reject it; to decide
whether the present state of things shall con-
tinue for another year, or shall at once make
place for new, and, we sincerely believe, a
sounder system. We have INDUCED the hope
that no advice from us would be required to
aid the public in judcious exercise of the suf
frage nor do we at this moment entertain Sc
rious apprehensions that it will be mis-used.
Still, in view of the apathy which prevails
among large class of the well mentioned and
the formidable resistance which the defenders
of the existing charter are preparing, we are
induced once more to set before our readers
few practical reasons in favor of the adoption of
the new act.
We will preface our advocacy of the reformed
charter with the frank admission that we do not
4 81 A met fboy, IF
its provisions grave objections may be urged;
and many points which demanded reform have
been left untouched. 1t is useless at this
time to allude to these matters in detail and
we pass them over the more readily, as neither
errors nor omissions can possibly be productive
of serious injury. They relate, without ex-
cepton, to matters of detail, and cannot at the
worst give rise to much complaint. 1t will be,
moreover, a very easy matter, if the charter is
adopted. to remedy them by brief act of the
Legislature.
On the other hand the new act is replete
with wholesome reforms. Under its provisions,
the stigma of corruption viii be wholly effaced
from our city annals. This argument alone
ought to ensure for the act the vote of every
right-minded citizen. Whether those who have
lnbored with such effect to cover our civic au-
thorities with infamy, have or have not exag-
gerated the state of the case, it is now para
mount duty for us all to preclude the possibili-
ty of such imputations being again brought for
ward. The government of the city Of New
York must be without reproach. Not even the
most reckless party -scribbler must have a pre-
text for assailing the character of our civic
rulers. This is, as we understand it. the unani-
nous cry of the people; and no legislative
enactment can answer the purpose more fully
than the act we have now before u.s. Precau-
ton can do more. We need hardly remind our
readers of the heavy penalties it imposes on
parties convicted of offering or receiving
bride of the facilities it provides for the adduc
ton of evidence of the safeguard contained
in the increase of the number of councilmen.
After it has become law, an applicant for
city favors, who relies on corruption for sue
cess, will be compelled to bride sixty council
men, elected from sixty different Districts and
probably strangers to each other, and some
twenty aldermen. All these persons will be
well aware that, by accepting the bride ten
dered, they are exposing themselves to fine
of SIS .000 and an Imprisonment for ten years;
and that the very party who corrupts them
may, at any future period through reckless
ness, revenge, or malice, turn States evidence
against them. If New York contains eighty
men, or even twenty, so bold as to risk these
penalties for the sake of the small sum which
the most liberal tempter would be enabled to
offer. we doubt whether it contains one who
would risk similar punishment by offering
bride to parties who would be just as likely to
betray him as to become his partners in
iniquity. We are DESTROYS of placing the
future dangers Of corruption in the strong
est light at once, and, therefore, say nothing
of the civil and civic degradation which
de jure will flow from sentence for bribery:
though perhaps some who would risk prison
and fine would be deferred from crime by the
fear Of public infamy For the general mass of
mankind. the dread Of the former will be suff-
cient. Widespread as we are told corruption
is in our midst, we cannot think that the rich
will jeopardise their liberty or the poor their
bread for the sake of very modest qualification
Of their avarice.
In word, we do not think that human in
genuity can frame more comprehensive or
more practical enactment against bribery than
that contained in the new act Nothing but
the sheerest insanity would induce a council
man or contractor to incur the penalties it pro
nounces. Whatever other offences may be laid
to the charge of the officers who may be elected
under it, we may be sure that no one with the
slightest pretensions to veracity, will accuse
them Of corruption.
Nor are its provisions less wholesome on the
subject Of the public expenditure. A vote Of
three-fourths Of the members Of both boards
will be required to sanction the expenditure Of
public money for Seasts, professions, or enter