The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06

To-0oaxUW's Vote.
The City Reform Meeting on Saturday was
as full as unanimous, and as enthusiastic as
was expected. Not . dissentient voice was
raised to disturb the harmony of the proceed
ings. Not shadow of difference in opinion
could be detected in the assembly All reso-
lutely pledged themselves both to support the
new charter. and to exert their influence to carry
out its provisions in a manner becoming the
citizens of the Empire City. Party spirit was
fairly thrown overheard; wings and democrats
forgot their political enmity, to join cordially in
the work of municipal reform. The meeting de-
termined in the language Of one of the speak
ers mot to ask whether candidate for civic
honors was for protective tariff or against it;
for the Monroe doctrine or opposed to it;
for a national bank or against it; but
to enquire only whether he would steal
or not" Nor are these sentiments con-
fined to the two THOUSAND merchants, pro-
fessional men, and tradesmen, who assembled at
Metropolitan Hail. For the first time within
our recollection, the whole press of this city is
unanimous in favor of the new charter. and nom
political elections in the city. Those journals
which gave the bill their support when it was
first printed in committee pursue consistent
course and others. which labored for awhile
to prevent its passage through the Assembly,
are now doing their best to make their peace
with the public, by strenuous advocacy of its
adoption. All parties are agreed that its pro-
visions are sound and salutary. All concur in
denouncing the designs of its opponents. The
defenders of the present charter cannot, in all
New York. find an organ to express their
views. So profound, so general is the popular
opinion on the point. that no newspaper has
ventured to risk its popularity by espousing
their cause. Our civic history has never ex-
hibited similar example of unanimity.
1t would be, however, both dangerous and
incorrect to suppose that the friends Of the pre-
sent charter are placidly resigned to defeat A
regard for common decency has deprived them
of newspaper support; but they have shrewdly
calculated that the deficiency of this arm can
be supplied by an abundance of another, of at
agent, and few corrupt voters may be found
Subtract from the total number of city voters
those who will be absent from town tomorrow
those who never NEEDLE in elections-and those
who, firmly convinced of the necessity of re-
form, believe the new charter safe enough to
dispense with their support, and the balance of
actual voters will not be so considerable as to
well planned system of electioneering tactics
could not rally party at least equal in num-
bers.
The first duty, then, of every man who has
the honor of the city and his own and his
neighbours interest at heart, is to attend the
polls Nothing ought to prevent the discharge
Of this simple duty. Business and pleasure
should alike be sacrificed for few minutes. Half
dozen votes, more or less, may turn the scale
in ward. Every absentee is an accomplice in
the offences screened by the present law
Once at the polls, every citizen should vote
for or against the amendments to the charter
Nothing could be clearer than the choice laid
before the voter. On the one side stands
he existing law. under which the government
OF the city costs eight millions of dollars, the
municipal property is VIGOROUSLY squandered,
and charges of corruption against our civic Off
GERS are daily advanced. On the other he will see
new law. under which, with proper economy,
the city government may be selfsupporting !;
the city property must fetch its real value and
corruption will be SO difficult to practice that
few will be so reckless as to assert it's existence
He must decide between one system under
which aldermen are invested with judicial
powers that are inconsistent with the public
safety and the honest administration of JUS
tice, and another, which confers on them no
powers beyond those dictated by obvious ne
cessity. He must choose between one govern
ment, whose members can, if they are SO dis
posed, be bribsd with impunity, and at a small
expense, and another, whose members are so
numerous that it would cost fortune to
purchase them, and so selected that their cor
ruption could not remain concealed. He must
determine whether it be for the interest and
good Of the city that contractors should be
awarded contracts without adequate security;
or whether the municipal authorities should be
bound to act in these matters as any private
individual of ordinary prudence and circum-
spection would act. He must solve the problem
of the ferries railroads, wharves, and water
rights and ascertain definitely whether these va
rious properties and franchises should be grant
ted for nominal sums, or whether they should be
adjudged by public auction to the highest bid
der. He must say whether an organized sys-
TEN Of auditing the public accounts is desirable,
or not whether two-thirds vote ought to be
required to control the Mayors veto, or not
whether the public money ought to be expcnd-
ed in useless pageants. or not.
On the decision of these various questions
will depend the disposal of his vote. 1.-The con-
siders that the public good and his own interest
will be furthered by preserving the present sys-
tenn, with its increasing taxes, wasteful expen-
diture, and profigate disposal of the public
property ifa constant cry Of corruption against