The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-03

GOOAA3 UNIV ~ h1O -, AOs
ments. Whence has this arisen 1t was
usual, a couple of years ago. to impute all the
evils of our government to the defects of the
charter and the villany of the men who ad-
ministered it. Well, the charter has been
amended under the advice of the Reform Com
mittee, and of the old municipal officers not one
remains. Has the city improved? Why, the
streets are dirter than ever the police is as
useless, the laws are as constantly violated, the
taxes are increasing at more rapid rate than
at any previous period. The reason is clear
as daylight. The Legislature and the Reform
Committee were all wrong What is wanted is
not division of power and numberless checks,
but Capitalization Of power and judgment in
the selection of municipal officers
Mr.. Wood has been elected Mayor under
storm of abuse that might well have crushed
an ADLER man. Notwithstanding all, he OBJ
tanned q majority over his opponents, and has
entered upon the discharge Of his duties He
begins by stating-what none of his predeces-
sors dared to avow openly-that the charter is
bad and the sooner we revert to the old one
of 1880, the better it will be for the city and
he continues by declaring his intention of in.
terpreting the present charter by the light of his
own understanding, and exercising as large a
share of authority as he can possibly find war
rant for in that bad law. Opinions may differ as
to the strict legality Of his course; but not as to
it's expediency. Salvation can only be ex-
pected from energy of this kind. If Mr.. Wood
perseveres, it is possible that New York may
be better governed under his may orality than
it has been for years; If he allows his co-mana-
gers to divert him from his purpose by argu-
ments or threats, he will be no better than his
predecessors, and his enemies will cast in his
teeth, with general appreciation, all that was
said of him during the canvass. We shall
watch his course with peculiar interest.
FIDDIING FOR THE PooR.-A scheme is on
foot to get up grand ball for the benefit Of
the starving poor of New York. As it is said
to be patronized by many of the 'frst fami-
les" it will no doubt, if carried into effect, be
grand affair, whereat brilliant toilettes will
be seen in great profusion and to the best ad-
vantage. The question is, will this sort Of
thing relieve the surrounding distress? The
misery now pressing upon New York has grown
out of the extravaganza of few rich people,
who spending thousands for balls and similar
luxuries, set an example to others who could
worse afford it, and thus in the end made pro-
digality the rule and economy tho exception in
New York homes. Many entertainments are
still within the memory Of all, at which thou
sands were spent for flowers alone, and the
fni1atfoo IF ladioo Offau oosf rnuch wnuld
support mechanics family for more than
year. 1t is this sort of thing which has pro-
duoed the present revulsion. How can the
effect be neutralized by repetition Of the
cause? How CON tho damage of extravaganza
be repaired by extravagant display? If the
Fifth avenue people sought to illustrate the
cause of the present distress, and to furnish
practical warning against similar errors in flu
ture, the proposed ball would answer the pur-
pose; but to propose to relieve existing misery
by further waste Of money in laces, silks,
flowers, suppers, and SO forth, evinces degree
Of folly that may well challenge comparison.
| ANOTHER OsTEND CHAPrER.-Our special
telegraphic advices Of this morning give US
some highly interesting additional facts touch
lhS VIC ObtCuu SOnSCuslOu, duu Luc DuCududu,
Soule and Kitchen Cabinet league against
Marcy. 1t seems that this conspiracy are draw
ing their tolls around their victim with una
bated industry; but that he has resolved to
fight it out against Buchanan and his Ostend
alliance, Cushing, JEFF Davis Forney and the
whole Kitchen Cabinet. This is right. Marcy
must fight it out. 1t also appears that there is
counterpart going on in the kitchen to get
Cushing out of the way. Buchanan is to re-
turn in the spring; and then Gushing may be-
come exceedingly troublesome if allowed to
remain in the country. Beautiful Was there
ever any thing SO beautiful, or so delightfully."-
absurd, as these Cabinet, Kitchen Cabinet and
diplomatic intrigues, plots and counterplots,
for the lead in the next Baltimore Convention?
Who is ahead? All using the President Of the
United States as stool pigeon. The crisis Of
the game approaches. Stand aside, look sharp,
and be still. The plot hinges on Marcy.
Watch Marcy.
LAST OF THE HARD SHELLs.-Our tele-
graphic dispatches from Washington inform
us that the Albany Argus has been bought up
by the administration. How much? aud who
pays?
T III E L A TIES st VIEW s.