The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-05

Ouccd MN 10 ACT W tn B'eAtc' uc0'rion ""u
promp,uess than he would O. her wise have done;
bot as seen by the feet of Me. Ses mours APP
pointment, the treaty would in any event have
been rejected. II was che Only means which bis
loidship had of paying us back for our refusal
to cooperate in furtherDg British aggreesoas
and conquests in Asia-it was the only retalia-
ton he could infict upon us for our isnominous
diimsssl of his former Minister Champion, aud
bis ofiendiog subordinates We thank his lord
ship for the lesson which be has given us. We
hope to turn it to prompt aud profitable account
in the settlement of this same Central American
question.
THE MUNICIPAL REVOLUTION docu-
mentavy evidence this morning, upon the
great question of the day, includes the de-
cision of Mr.. Justice Clerke, at the special
term of the Supreme Court, deciding the
issue of law in favor Of the new Police Commits
sioners and message from the Mayor to the
Common Council, in which the arbitrary measures
enacted by the late black republican Legislature
are subjected to searching analysis The deci-
sion of the special term seems to have been the
result Of an agreement between the counsel on
both sides, in order to allow the matter to come
at once before the general term, where we pre-
sumo the proceedings will be merely formal and
initiatory to the great struggle next month p the
court Of last resort.
But lei us see what the Mayor says: In rela-
ton to the charter he complains that it strips the
Mayor of his powers, while it leaves him all his
responsibilities; that it gives enlarged and dam
gerous powers to the Department of Finance;
and, altogether that it egslates for persons, not
for principles He believes that such parts Of
the charter as do not conflict with the cOnstitu-
ton should be at once enforced, and that the re-
mainirg sections ought to be Immediately con-
tested. The Mayor condemns the Police, Central
Park, City Hall, Port Wardens', Harbor and Ex-
else bills in toto. He points out their arbitrary
features, and clearly shows that the Legislature
bA endeayored to take away from the people Of
this city the chief privilege Of the citizens Of
every free municipality, namely, the right to
legislate for themselves
Our system of municipal government originst-
ed with the Dutch. Every city, town or village
where this system is fully carried out is indie
pendent, 70 far as its internal regulations are con-
all the citizens must be held to decide not only
upon the choice of magistrates, but upon every
other local. matter involving expenditure Of
money. If it Is city, it applies to the Legisla-
ture for charter by which the citizens may dele
gate 10 council their Legislative powers, while
the chief magistrate holds, in conjunction with
the aldermen, who are magisterial, Judicial and
legislative at the same time, the controlling ex-
ecutive power The common Law plainly Is that
Tie Mayor is supreme In his own municipality,
eud that his veto is final unless ovefruled by two
thirde tie representatives of the commonalty.
SO far wes this system Of municipal sovereignty
extended in Holland that the States General
could not declare war, levy taxes, or conclude
peace without the consent of the burghers of
every town. Thus the merchants of Amsterdam
were not obliged TO pay for luxuries unless they
saw At 60 to do.
Upon tuch an excellent superstructure was our
municipal government raised, and the constitu-
ton contains the very principles which we have
adduced above, aud which have 50 often becn
enunciated in these columna We repeat them
now, and we intend to keep them always 10 view,
tbs. the people may not become confused by the
bubbles Of lawyers or the generalities Of timd
jurists. For what has the Legislature attempted
to do. In the first place, the city of New York
pays nearly half of the State tax. and has only
onesixth of the State representation In Senate
and Assembly. Not ratified with this, certain
political brigands at Albany having discovered,
as they believed, rich gold placer in New York.
imagine that they can quarter themselves upon
cur treasury, spending our money without
our election or consent. This issue lies plainly
between the people on one side and the politI-
clans on the other. Many rich free munich
pality has been subjected to the same trial, both
in ancient and modern timee. When the citizens
have been found equal 10 the defence of their
rights, the result has been invariably In their
favor. SO II viii be In the present instance.
What possible right had the Legislature 10 force
q charter upon tho city until the voters thereof
had been allowed their right 70 express ao opinion
upon II at the pollsf None whatever. What
right hsd the Legislature to take away from the
voters their constitutional privilege to elect their
own rulersi None whatever. What right had
the Legislature TO place the control Of millions
Of our money In the hands Of fifteen or twenty
politicians, In whose selection the taxpayers Of
the city have bad no ohoicci None whatever.
The municipal revolution which We predicted
when the passage Of these bills seemed inevitable,
has only just commenced We arc glad to sec
BY the Mayors message that he has resolved TO
stick to bis post, and fight II out TO the last We
live in times when every public officer should do
his whole duty, without regard to the conse-
quence.. A set Of prsaigate politicians have
found the Legislature ready tools TO aid in a So
RIGS of attempts to overthrow the rights Of the