The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-26


ty certain at last that an attempt win be made
to ventilate the municipal government OF
course, the six NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Coun-
cilmen-who have been indicted for corrup-
ton, may escape trial and punishment, as so
many others in the like case have done. But
the chances really incline the other way. There
is evidently strong determination somewhere
to make an example of them while on the
other hand, it may be taken for granted that
in their defence they will spare no one, and If
any one of their accusers has aught to blush for,
he may prepare to hide his face. Despite the
insinuations which some of the accused have
thrown out, the Mayor at all events shows no
trepidaton, and seems prepared to meet the
shock with firmness and apparent unconcern.
AS an appropriate accompaniment to these
little skirmishes, the Mayor takes occasion to
veto the resolution appointing joint commit
tee to draft new charter. There can be no
question but he will herein obtain the unani-
possible to suggest any two bodies so tho
roughly sunk in public esteem as the present
Boards of Aldermen and Councilmen; not from
any glazing acts of theirs, though the indict-
ments are there to testify to their reputation
for integrity, but simply and purely from the
puerile folly of their past proceedings and the
disgraceful Indifference they have shown to
matters of general interest. 1t may safely be
said that the people of New York would as
soon hear Of the charter being committed to
the care of any ten men picked up at hap
hazard in Centre or Orange street, as to ten de-
legates from bodies whose most substantial la
bors during the past nine months have been'an
and discussion Of the amount of hack hire
debited to the city by the Mayor. No, the char
ter must be amended, no doubt we must go
back to the sensible old plan Of $780, give the
Mayor power over the departments, and hold
him responsible for their administration; but
the last men in the world to draft the plan
for the change are the present Councilmen and
Aldermen.
Perhaps the most comical of the many serio-
comical lights in which the present municipal
imbroglio may be viewed is it's connection
with that never. to- be-sufIicently -rewarded bo-
dy, the municipal reformers. Everybody re-
members how the latter threw dust in the pub
lie eye couple of years ago, and by dint of
fine words, succeeded in obtaining control of
the city and planting one or two of their num-
ber-such as Mr. Azariah G. Flagg-in fat
Offices. We are likewise all aware that of all
the municipal governments we have had the
reformed government was without question
the worst the most inefficient, the most cor
rupt, the most costly. This is SO universally
admitted at present that one might have ina
gined the municipal reformers would have had
the good sense to keep in the dark at the pre-
sent conjuncture. By no means. There are
Offices to be had in November and the reform
ers are in the field, as usual, with the old ia
miliar shuttle -
Resolved That the increasing taxation of citizens
and the growing reckless and dishonest extravaganza In
the administration Of some Of our city affairs operate
oppressively on all classes driving away manufacturers
and mechanics, checking building and the growth and
prosperity OF our city, well ciscredng its charac
call upon this committee for renewed and ener-
getic action all who feel an interest in the honor
of New York, to themselves to elect good men to
Office and more particularly TO reelect those who have
proved faithful in the discharge of their duties.
BY their fruits we must Judge them. The
first year of reform sway we had one Alder
man indicted for corruption. This year we
have three Aldermen and three Councilmen
Let the reformers have their way, and next year
we shall have the whole Common Council in
dicted in a body-unless, indeed, the District
Attorney should be reformer likewise, in
which case there would be no one to ndict
them.