The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-02

Ter the old cAarter, attached - heads OF de-
partments, is by the new one totally swept
away; ane. no matter how gross the dereiiction
Of duty Shich may be evinced on the part OF
any me ,lnber of the corporate government, there
is no efficient remedy provided. The heads OF
deps ailments are subservient to NO supervision
or control but are as independent ofthe Mayor
: nd Common Council as those functionaries
are OF Nicholas Seagrist, the Sergeant
at Arms. In fact the system estab-
lished by the new charter is acomplete jum-
bic and irreconcileabc with the commonest
ideas Of order. Whoever expects that it can
work well, and that the new Corporation estab-
lished under it will introduce q better
order Of things in this illaoverned city,
viii find out ere long that he has been
egregiously deceived. The best system of city
government that could lave been adopted
would be o,e formed on the model Of the federal
government Of this repuhlic with the Mayor
representing the President, its head of depart
ments, appointed by him by and with the con
sent of the Board of Aldermen, representing
the Cabinet, and the two Boards representing
the Senate and House of Representative.
Responsibility to the people would then devolve
on the chief magistrate, and he would then be
forced to hold his suhordinates to strict
accountability. Now, however, responsibility
rests nowhere.
It is mistake too, to suppose that the great
outcry in which the popular voice made itsel'
heard last summer, was produced by over-taxa-
ton. Ii is not so much retrenchment in ex-
penditure that is demanded as good and efficient
government, such as is enjoyed by the inhabitants
of all the leading cities Of Europe We want
for instance, clean, well lighted and wei
paved streets and an effective police. If we
were supplied with these great desiderGta our
citizens would not murmur at their cost. The
city Of Paris, with population about twice
the amount Of that Of New York, expends over
ten million dollars year; but 10 return Tor II
they get good city government, clean streets
and an efficient police. We expend about five
millions a year, but we get no adequate return
for it, Our streets are uncleaaed for months al
time, and life and property IRE at the mercy
Of gangs Of ruEians banded together, and
prowling at every corner. five could procure
q thorough reform in these respects, the veal
thy and enterprising community Of New York
would not find fault with or complain about an
increased amount of taxation The miserable
policy of Comptroller Flagg--so much Landed
by the reform party-might be highly COM
mendable in village arrangements, but is total
~ out of place and contemplate as applied to
this great metropolis.
The Corporation, however, such as IL is, goes
into power tomorrow. We understand, from
intelligent sources, that tie message OF the
Mayor, to be presented tomorrow, embraces
several points of importance. 1t deprecates
the interference of the State Legislature
in matters exclusively pertaining to the city
government, and recommends careful COM
pilaton of all the acts ane ordinances relating
to New York SO as that their meaning may be
determined. 1t reminds the members OF both
boards OF the duties they owe to their consttu-
encies, and holds up before them the RESPONSE
bilities Of their Office. On the subject OF city
railroads. we believe ii will rather favor than
oppese them; but it will recommend the ap-
| pointment OF bureau OF practical and iptelli-
| gent men to report on all new projects. The
filthy condition of the streets and the unlightcd
| state of wharves and piers will be bihted at,
and word will be said in favor Of the Russ
pavement. We understand, too, that II is the
intention Of the Mayor to recommend the sale
of the Washington market property, AID the
establishment of a large market in lieu thereof,
at the foot Of Fourteenth street. on the North
river. Finally, we learn that the messase will
be untavorsble to the location Of the new parks.
| We have now expressed our views pretty
fully in relation to the reforn Corporation and
the charter under which they are to adm mister
the city government and we have given com
prehensve outline q the matters which we be-
| lieve will be embraced in the Mayors message
| 1t is our wish not to throw obstacles in tue way
of the new Corporation, but rather to remove
| those which we believe would imped, their
action. Still, we repeat that we have n, conf
dence in the realization Of the great promises
OF the reformers. We want acts, not words
But should they falsify our anticipati,ns we
will lie among the most astonished anG graft
fed of the community, Let us wait and see.
TIE DECISION AGAINST THE ALDERMEN roa
| CONTEMPT, SUSTAINED BY THE CoURT OF APHEALs
AT ALBANY-THE PEOPLE VS.. OSCAR w SUR
/ -