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

nate these men; but before doing 20, they counted
our numbers, and seeing that we were in the majo
rty, they sent out for some OF their own party to
counterbaance Us. While talking OF primary meet
ings, think may cay that the carmen gave the
merchants little rebuke in the resolutions
passed ut their meeting. They gave them
good advice when they said they should also attend
the primary meetings. II was an excellent advice,
and worthy to be followed. The third proposition
we recommend, is to strengthen the Mayors veto,
taking the example OF our general government, the
head Of which always acts rs check upon hasty or
improper legislation in Congress II the President
vetoes BILL il requires two third vote to pass
but by some hocus pocus Juggling IN our municipal
legislation, it goes back to the two boards and they
can pass il by the same vote-in other words, the
veto power is a perfect mockery. Now, We must
strengthen the veto OF the Mayor SO that it will re-
quire two thirds to defeat it. (Appause) The last
remedy is this-confine your Common Council to
legislation. tremendous cheering) There is the
root of the evil long as they have Offices to APP
point, and power to dispose OF them, you always
will have bargain for contracts between those who
want, and those who have the power to grant them.
Strip them Of power, let them stand only legisa
tors, and then the rats will desert the sinking ship
then you will have no contractors. admire their fat
looks-moving around the wouldbe Alderman in his
orbit, the would-be policemen saying to the Alder.
man, I've will make you Alderman, and you will
make Us policemen Pluck off his feathers-make
him mere legisator-an he will stand, freed from
rowdies, contractors, and policemen, solitary and
alone. (Applause) Then your aldermen will be
Nuht lEey SHOULD DC, worthy 10 represent tue rIu-
pire city. Then men will not seek the office, but the
Office viii seek the man. When that is the case, you
will have men Of standing and OF responsibility to
serve the public for nothing, and who will not pick
at the public CRIB under pretence OF serving the pub
lie interest Well my friends, what are you? Do
you know what You are !? Allow me to tell you. You
have the high privilege Of living in city in point of
interest and importance second to none. Tyre and
Sdon, OF the ancient world, never had q commerce
feet equal to yours You have mighty city and
its interests TO guard, and, mark me" there Is no
such word as FAIL While the blacksmith is making
his anvil ring, the shoemaker striking his last let
them reason together and let them say that we the
people, will and shall have municipal government
equal 10 any upon the face of the earth and you viii
hayeit. Tie people are always safe-thepeople al
ways sound but the difficulty is to get ut he people
The politicians have reared up a partition wall be-
tween them, and it IS sometimes difficult TO overlap
it. But think now the wall is being battered,down
] think we have here some thousands OF the people
and when you 90 home tell your neighbors what you
have heard ana seen tonight, and what you mean to
do, and ask them to join you hand in hand, and
march in solid body to the Legislature at Albany to
demand that the voice OF the people shall be heard
l ask you To make revolution this night prepare
tory to that which shall take place in April or May
hot by the cannon, the musket or bayonet-in
which father shall be airayed against his son. or
brother against brother, but in which the battle shall
be fought manfuly and bravely through your ballot
boxes. You want no banner but sefintercst
tell you the people are coming. | tell you
have heard murmunngs and mutterings at dis
lance, and something like the rumble of distant
thunder. have seen the dark cloud gather and roll
and roll, and the thunder speak louder and louder
and knew 1t was the coming OF the voice OF the
people; and now that thunder cloud is about to
break, and the thunder-cap will come upon your
rulers.
Mr.. Gerard here resumed his seat amid repeated
applause Loud calls were then made for Mr.. Henry
Erben foreman of the late Grand Jury, by whom the
famous presentment was made; but although he was
in the hall be did not make his appearance. When
the noise had sub.ided the fonwnp resolutions
read -
Whereas The government of the city Of New York, in
confederation Of the vast material and moral interests
committed TO its should be provided with all those
checks nd guards which found essential in both
national and State constitutions TO the preservation OF
integrity and economy in the OF public af
Resolved That the legislative Judicial and exec tive
departments OF the city government should be kept
and that in each department the principle Of pon.ib
lily to the people ought to be made as direct and sfec
tive as possible
Resolved l. That the legislative power should be vest-
ed in a Common Council consisting Of two branches un
equal in the plumber of their members representing die
f-ren C, Ms itueneies and holding Office for unequal
terms that the members Of tho smaller dy should go
out b. classes and that the popular branch should
be 10 make each member directlv and
Immediately responsible to his constituents q That
juoic powers should be exercised exclusively by per
som elect for that special Of &c and for that alone
That lie executive should be vested in the
heads OF deta ments and the police That t.s Mayor
shoud have veto upon all enactuents OF the Common
Council and ordinance thus vetoed should become
Jaw unless IeeDacted by at least thirds OF all the
members elected TO each branch Of the Common Council
That tie heads OF departments should have pc
but such as may be conferred upon them by law: And
that The Police Depsr tnent should be organized
permanently 10 secure integrity, stability, and the h,h
dega &c or efficiency in its practical operation
Resolved That no expehd uIe Of public money shoul1
be allowed ard 70 debt or liability Of any kind Incurred
unless be first authorized BY specific law and that
full pIoyis should be made for carefully audi ing The
accounts of public oficers
Resolved That the Revised Statutes should be 80
2mepGtt 9. make rity in
cictabe IA courts OF law for bribery, corruption nal
fsasaDce In Office.
held at different time from that appointed for electing
officers Of the state and National governments.
Resoyed, That in the Judgment Of this meeting many
o. the evils winch are now experienced in our city govern
pent doe TO the stem hitherto adopted by both po
chosen Al primary lettings and tina in order to escape
from the violence and corruption which iuse
from that system In tho choice Of city officers resort is
recommended e the practice OF voluntary and sponta
nominations which in other sections Of the Union
prevails in regard to Offices Of every grade.
Resolved That The following persons he appointed
committee, with power TO I'LL solicit from The
State Legislature such amendments the city charter
a. shall mase conform to he principles, and attain the
objects, set forth In the foregoing resolutions and also
secure Pro- ision for submitting such amendments
the legislature may adopt at the earliest possible
men to the vote Of the people and for enabling the
officers Who may be elected in accordance with them to
enter upon the discharge Of their duties by the
Tussdsy in May next
ooshrr1 Of HcIrArIos AKn anoaA
Moses Taylor William ~ Pricllard,
Benjamin X. Winthrop, George d Butler
James Norman, Judge John l. Mason
Benjamin +. Butler, Peter Cooper
Francis +. Earbrry Martin Z Zabrl .kie
Aaron o. Vanderpoel Henry GrnneN
hangle n Qu.cksnbo-s, William H. Hooeie,
Thomas sufern, John Harper
Francis B.rritt, William chauneer.
Vim. Whitlock Jr., Burtis Skidmne
joshua J. Henry, T. O. lie Roy,
Edgar ketchum, Abner Bartlett,
Simon Baldwin, Thomas r. stllmsn.
lsaac AdrisDoe. Richard 4. Reding,
james W. Gerard, William 9. Coneiy
Alfred ell. Henry Erben,
Willard L. Felt, Thomas r. whisn-y,
Vim. II. St,Rp haae II Bailey
Gardner Curbman, Daniel Herrck
Ersstus z. bene'iict stephen Henderson,
John Ridley, james Lee.
Charles g. Havsns
Mr. BENZ. r. BUTLER next addressed the meeting
They had not come here, he said for the purpose of
discussing the conduct Of individuals or TO expose
themeiyes to the charge of prejudicing any man or