The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-11


ry direction for votes for the respective caa-
didates for the may orally, and the usual cor
rupt agencies are brought to bear upon the
members Of the nominating conventions, il can
not BIZ ami-s for the substantial citizens of
New York, who keep themselves aloof from
these tba' ing intrigues to devote nom nt's
thought to the important matter which must be
decided in November next Closely a. the
Mayor is sha,kled by the constitution, he is
still left power enough for mischief, and suifi-
cient ini uence to render his selection matter
of universal concern. 1t is true, as many will
urge, that the bad Mayors we have had, have
not availed to destroy the city or retard its
progress but that they have wrought us
grave injury, the state of the streets, and the
record of crime tell but too plainly. A little
energy and small effort in the right direction
would protect US from the contiouance of this
evil and might go long way towards repair
ing it.
We have no particular preference for any of
the candidates that have already been proposed
for the Mayoralty. Nor do we foresee that out
of the incubation Of the primary committees
any candidate is likely to arise whose claims
on our support would he paramount. In fact,
we view-as who does not?-all the nominees of
COW entions with distrust. Everybody knows
that nominations are procured from these as
semblies by corruption, intrigue, and favor; and
are never never made from regard for the
public veal. It is likewise notorious that the
only consideration which is superior to the in
fucnce of money in nominating conventions is
party politics. Those therefore who do not
consider that the profession of this or that po-
litical principle, or the possession of money,
are the best qualifications for Mayor will con-
cur with us in regretting that no prominent in
dividual has yet stepped forward to present
himself as an independent candidate for the
Office, We are strongly inclined to believe that
if such a course were adopted by any we'll
known citizen, Of tried character and probity,
be would obtain large majority at the polls.
Even if he were less unexceptionable as a can
didate than some one of his rivals it is probable
that the bulk of the comm unity would sustain
him, in order to break up the fatal influence Of
the primary elections and to sever, once for
all, municipal Offices from party politics. IT,
in addition to this recommendation, he possessed
claims derived from long course Of useful
citizenship, and an unimpeached reputation,
we should regard his triumph as morally Ger
tain. The election of an independent Mayor,
in opposition to the swindling election-mongers
who have so long held the franchise in their
hands, would be grea. day for New York-a
most suspicious commencement of new era
For, see what vast responsibility devolves
upon our new Mayor! What are the civic
troubles of which we complain? Dirty Streets
impossible side walks rowdies, street fights,
Sunday groceries and the myriads of cognate
ills. All of these are strictly and emphatically
prescribed by law. There are good and suff-
cient statutes and ordinances, if carried out, to
sweep every one from the face of the city.
Ample provision is made for the cleaning Of
the streets: yet they TEEN with filth. Laws
prohibit the encumbering of the side walks with
goods: yet Broad street and ever so many
others are barricaded with bales and barrels
Breaches Of the peace are severely punished in
the statute book: but enjoy'a pleasant impunity
in practice. The excise laws prohibit the sale of
liquor on Sundays, and materially interfere
with the distribution-on any day-of the
poison sold in corner groceries, yet there is
hardly corner in some wards where men are
not seen drinking poisonous trash from Sunday
morning to Saturday night. As Governor
Seymour said in his message: we have plenty
of laws the difficulty arises from their not being
carried into effect. This is the business of the
Mayor; and hitherto we have never had q
Mayor whose nerve or industry was equal to
the task.
Suppose we try now to find man who will
resolutely persist in believing that laws and
ordinances were not made by way Of ornament:
but on the contrary that they were intended
to be real terror to evildoers, and that 1t
devolves on him to make them such. Scores of
men able and willing to act thus could be
counted on the fingers any one of whom would
probably consent to serve, if some fifty or a
hundred respectable citizens, Independent Of
party would solicit him to run, and promise
their support. We earnestly hope that before
the election day comes, q few of those most
directly concerned will take the matter in
hand. and place honestly and squarely before
the people good, thorough energetic stump
candidate.
ANOTHER DEATH AT FERRY FOR WANT OF Pro-
FER SAFEGuAnDs.-In yesterdays paper was re-
corded another death at the Fulton ferry, by
the drowning of an unfortunate man in vain
attempt to jump upon the boat after il had
lett the bridge. One would suppose, did he not
know by daily experience of the callousness Of
these corporations, that the constant repetition
Of similar disasters at one o. other of the city
ferries would induce the managers to adopt
some plan to obviate them. Various remedies
have been pointed out at different times, but
not the least desire has been shown on the part
Of any of the companies to adopt them Their