The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-07


Increase of population 215 per cent
Increase of property 232 per cent.
Increase Of taxation 500 per cent
These figures are arguments in themselves against
putting IN the power OF parti5ans, having political
frlends 10 concliiate or reward, patronage i'm
mense that 1t has often been deemed sufficient to
turn the scale in an election in which so 900 ballots
were cast. These simple facts explain the anxiety
OF mere politicians of both parties to control the
nominations OF Aldermen, Councilman, and all SUBJ
ordinate officers 1t matters little to them whether
your taxes are a few mill ons more than they need
be, provided their organizations can continue to be
supported out of the city treasury.
Your committee are aware that any attempt to
separate the business of the city government from
party influence will be virulently opposed for the
reasons stated. But, inasmuch the politicians by
trade are few in number, and their motives unmis-
takably selfish, while every man in the community,
whether rich or poor shares the burdens Of taxation,
and is therefore interested in having our affairs con.
Quoted with the smallest possible expense consistent
with the adequate protection of life and property,
(unless he be direct or indirect recipient of the
spos of ofice) IL seems only necessary to present
the matter fairy to the public notice, to insure the
hearty cooperation of the of our citizens in any
measures calculated t, diminish taxation and insure
q faithful execution of the laws.
The folly and absurdity of making a mans polit
cal opinions test of fitness for post in which party
measures are never agitated, or certainly never
should be, must on reflection, be apparent to every
unprejudiced mind,
II is desirable that the Council and Board of Al
dermen should be filed with men Of sound judgment
and unfalteriDg integrity. Such officers WILL through
their Standing Committees, closely scrutnize the
operations of the departments, aud see that the
public funds are not squandercd favorites used
for eectioneering purposes
The theory of the amended charter is to make the
Board OF Aldermen check on the Board of Coun.
cilmen, and both check the departments.
With clear majority of efficient and honest men in
these two bodies, this theory will be reduced to
practice, and sense of rigid accountability will
prevail well calculated to diminish the temptations
with which the contagion of example has beset too
many OF our city functionaries.
Your committee by no means despair of bringing
about a better state Of things. At any rate, they
propose making a vigorous and earnest effort to
that end 1t is their desire that the people should
have an opportunity in November next Of voting
for men pledged to conscientious discharge OF
duty, but unpledged to any political organization
men whose antecedents will inspire confidence tina.
they will endeavor to to this great population
efficient police, clean streets, unobstructed
thoroughfsres, and well regulated departments
that they will enforce the laws and ordinances pro-
mote the general welfare and limit the public ex-
penditure within the narrowest compass compatible
with these objects
The wards and council districts will be organized
with all practicable despatch by the proper subcom
mittees; and we respectfully call upon our fellow
citizens who desire an improved municipal govern
inent, and who have no private interests to sub
perve, to rally at the call Of such subcommittee
whose names viii, in due time, be officially