The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-06

safeguard which ia former could procure protsc
Ia pending bill 70 ovsrrus recent decision Of the
Supreme Court inteed the other departments Of gov
ernment have sunk into mere inferior condition. from
which appeal had to the Legslature always with
cess, the usual appliances employed The people
must watch these eocroachments tis not only this
the capital that is subjected to this wrong II the city
of New York. within four hours Of Albany and in hourly
frauds how ia Il with the sriuiturs and manfactur
ing interests in the Interior which, Ia caser
removed FAR from the danger, and without means to
persons to co executive duty II this can be- why mo-
abolish courts and name commissioners boards o.
referees to act instead Why not in short give up all
the houses OF the legislature and permit them 70
absorb the other branches Of which, by tbs
Constitution are placed independent Of the
power, as the law making power s OF thsmy BY refer
.nce 70 my message you viii see this evil more fully
exEsee.
reference TO- win prevent my giving support to this
s. nate prop ston am against 1t in all It's length and
bradth aud though concnrring In some OF the provi
sons " the amendments to the charter proposed I
would reject the whole rather than appear recognize
the fatal principles declared secrng police system
In reply to what is stated of my political proclves
sna ths assertion that using intend 10 use the
prhce for personal or partisan PURPOSES Is scarcely
mston is not the result OF party machinery Asa ma
gsrate and chief executive officer OF this city know
no party and recognize no political obligations The
s.epng with the practices OF any party Of the day.
whatever may be Their Professions before election
cal application Of principles of government long
fesseo but prscticed is novel procedure in
public officer, and puzzles the leaders woaderfully
hence am at no loss to divine why partisan designs
should be attributed to me, by who cannot under
tond that popular applause be obtained any other
than by political trckery the Of the
demsgogue understand my position fully. With
out egotsm permit me TO say that am conscious OF
place in public esteem far beyond ana above any party
and to add the belief that candidate for the Office
Mayor tomorrow, the people would not desert me II
every political organization in the city to combine
act the part Of the mere politician, and by
prosttSt,ins nn,is, the whols police department
per sense of personal security, to throw away the
good opinion Of nearly all my Fellow citizens whose sup
principles and which have given the confidence
of the community will enable to hold it down to the
close of my aominis,rstion, or this l have no fears
The danger the public lies not in any relaxation or
dereheton upon my part nor in improper o' the
police but IN the passage OF this bill fhe police has
bled TO perform the acts which have ured public ap
proyal Take it away and the horrors OF bad govern
cult then to combat the assertion which viii be .ds
that head OF the department hough stripped Of the
power) have been derct and have dsvisted from the
present policy Is IL unchsrtable to add that
such design have influenced the projectors of this
schemsy That its authors suppose that willis, the peo
pie will continue to hold to q strict accountability
for the maintenance Of the forms initiated aud sustained
would at the time forget that the by which
they have been effected were taken away and thus de-
forcing them had ceasedy This opinion Of the inte-
gsnce of the people, though not very aatterng,
stent with the motives which have evidently dictated
this measure
The warmth of expression OF this litter may Offend
my language may appear as !. emanstng from excite
Efforts to deprive me Of the by which any i'm
provement in our city is effected. No but myself
appreciate the critical ate Of sccsl condition.
IL the authorities deprived OF control OF the only
of preventing dangers of far serious chara
ter than have ever before us am no alarm
let but believe sincere when tell You that in my
opinion New York only be saved from rule Of
rnption ndered by the devoes OF the great
vices, viz zintsmperance, gaming and debauchery-but
by the strong one msn power, Who with bold and fear
less hand nd the entre police force without
hindrancs or molestatien. My many pressing duties
have not permitted time TO do justice this subject
This letter Ia hastily written and full of imperfe
but without its style matter receive
the honest protest OF your friend and fellow citizen
FERNANDO WOOD
SIN answer to your request m to the publication
of this letter, you may do so, provided you deem my
views OF sufficient ublic interest. F.W.