The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-29


warnings, all the gloomy forebodings, all the
dark threats which have been uttered in our
ears and whispered in our conscience when the
future rose before us, would vanish like vapor
in the summer sunshine.
The COMMON CoUNCIL-THE UNDER Cur
unconstitutional there are some sincerely
wellmeaning members in both boards of the
Common Council, yet it is too evident that
their ignorance of the routine of legislation, or
their mental weakness. will render them power
less for good and that the whole force, power
and patronage of the legislative branch Of the
city government are, at this very moment, be-
ing used for the advancing of political ends and
the pushing of private interests. Already
cliques Of all sorts are forming and laying plans
to press forward their various measures. One
particularly active member Of the upper board,
who 10 appointed the active man on several of
the most important committees has already
struck out boldly for the sheriffalty, and by the
lsvishness of his promises to would-be deputies,
and the adroitness with which he knows how to
hold out hopes Of lucrative contracts, he has
created large number of active and untiring
friends He may be considered to have fairly
taken the field; and it will be hard matter to
drive him off, He is an old school whig, and
will drive strong team.
As to the various schemes in in petto for Dip
ping into the public treasury, they undoubted-
~ exist; but the stringent watch kept upon
them by the press, and the astounding
Developments Of the HERALD in regard to
the present spoils Congress. have frightened
our conscientious spoils seekers in the
Common Council for Q time, and they are keep
ing especially shady. They are, meanwhile.
amusing Buncombe with debates on temperance
and spasmodic illusions lover the left) to re-
form. Not single positive measure how
ever, has yet been taken for the cleansing
and good order Of the city, and, with a ere
form" Common Council in session every night.
we are still doomed to plough our way through
seas of mud, and to run the risk of being
knocked down and robbed If we venture out at
night while our whsrves and public places
are left in pitch darkness, furnishing safe re-
treats for gangs of thieves, robbers and bur-
glars to issue forth and carry on their depre-
cations in every quarter Of the city. 1t is per-
fectly abominable to see set Of pretended
legislators meet night after night. squ4bbe aod
twaddle in bad English for three hours. aad
then separate and go home without having &C
complished single measure for the public
good. Why don't they look the subject fully
in the face, kick away the present rotten plat
form Of city government, and erect plain sim
pie, efficient, rational system, that shall vest
responsibility in tangible head, and clothc
that central head with the power Of enforcing
upon the subordinate departments the strict
performance Of their duties? No further patch
ing or mending will dove must have revo-
luton and complete change in the form of
government.
ANOTHER DREADFUL EXPLOSION AND Loss OF
LIFE.-In our paper to-day will be found the
details of another of those frightfu catastrophes
which, from the wholesale destruction of life
with which they are attended, fall upon the
community with the effect Of sickening shock
By the explosion of q ball cartridge manufac-
tory at the village of Ravenswood, about four
miles from Williamsburg, nearly twenty human
beings were yesterday hurried into eternity
and their bodies literally blown to atoms. The
building where the accident occurred was stu
ated about thirty rods from the village; but the
force Of the explosion was 80 great that every
pane of glass in the place was shattered to
pieces, and some OF the balls were carried to
distance Of nearly an eighth Of o mile. Had
the mandatory been surrounded by houses it
is fearful to reflect on the loss of human life
that the accident might have occasioned. As
it is, the results are disastrous and lamentable
in the extreme.
1t is little more than twelve months since an
explosion of nearly similar nature took place
in the centre Of williamsburg; and the fire.
quency of their occurrence in the different
localities in which works of this kind are car
ried on. suggests reflections as to the propriety
Of placing them under such restrictions as will
ensure, if not entire immunity from them, at
least little loss oflife and damage to property
as is consistent with a legalized and carefully
regulated manufacture.
We are not a. yet fully in possession Of the
facts relative to the disaster OF yesterday, but
we recollect that on the occasion OF the inquiry
into the causes Of the Williamsburg accident.
II was stated in evidence that the manufacture
of fire works had been secretly carried on.
Now, the only way to meet the evil in this
occult form is to subject the offending parties
to the heaviest penalties that the policy of our
laws will recognise. The extent OF the devasta-
ton and loss Of life to which such accidents
give rise, call for the most stringent and
effectal measures of protection.
FOUND, OR TURNED UP-One of the great
leaders at Tammany Hall, Captain Rynders,
has just been discovered. We have received
communication from his Excellency, describing
bis position on the Nebraska question, which
we shall publish with the same alacrity a. we
did that of John Cochrans. The other great