The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-08-04


coming railway catastrophe
The POLICE CoMMIssIoNERs.-If at the time
there could have been found hundred intelli-
gent citizens Of New York, who, unbiased by
party prejudices, really believed that that bill
was destined to operate benefcislly to the IN
terests of the city, We feel convinced that the
practical operation of the law, for go far, must
have considerably weakened it not entirely DISH
pated that belief in most or all of tbem. The
riots ard disorders that have diseraced the city
within the last month-the imbecility shown by
the Police Commissioners In these crises the
proverbial incapacity Of the force tself--the i'm.
punity in which crime revels in the metropolis
the litgstons in which the municipal government
has become involved, and the complete disorgani
cation that has marked all branches of the gov
eminent, arising from the improper interference
Of the State Legislature in local affairs, all tend
to prove most conclusively that that interference
has proved as pernicious as it was unjustidable;
and if there be any who stll cling to tue hope
that eventually the law will prove a great public
benefit, We think that the conduct of the Police
Commissioners within the last few days mus. give
the death blow to that hope, and convince those
who entertained it that an efficient, thoroughly
'oreanlzed police system is not to be looked for
under the operation OF the Metropolitan Police
law
Not only was that law partisan in its inception
ard in its provisions but those who were appoint
ed 10 give it efficacy were selected ia the same
idea The Governor, instead of being guided in
bis appointments by the competency and ability
Of those who were to act as Police Commission
ers, seems to have been guided by no other stan
oard than the contemplate one of politics.
He selected four black republicans aud
one Know Nothing, and by pure accidenr,
it would seem, there was one active, eff.
Gent man to he found in the batch.
But he, becoming coon disguised With the incom.
potency of his colleagues aud their systematic
thwarting of his practical measures sent ia his
resignation and retired from the board leaving
behind him four mere politicians, having no fit.
ness whatever for the Office, and the two er o6fco
Commissioners, the Mayors of New York and
Brooklyn. Since his retirement the proceedings
Of the Board have continued in complete dead
lock. Having but one idea in regard to their
duties, and that idea being the advancement Of
political partisans, they have been able to do
literally nothing. The three black republicans
act and vote alike on oil subjects that come be-
fore the Board, and the two democratic Mayors
and the Know Nothing Commissioner act and vote
together on the opposite side. And thus they go,
playing the childish game of seesaw to the ne
elect Of their important business aud to the in
finite disgust of this whole community.
iney nave now spent two DAYS in the farce of
balloting for a o~....,..,o-.-
sane man can zee what a mans politics should
have to do with that Office, it is on that point,
and that alone that the fitness or unftuess of a
candidate is Judged. The three black republicans
can see no virtue out of their party, and SO vote
right through for one of their own stripe. The
two democratic Mayors, resolved not to have q
majority against them in the Board, vote as dc.
ter1ninedly for a democrat; and Mr.. Cholwell-
wiser than both those together,
sAy, "Do What you Will, but there's nothing Ike eahcs"
And so they ballot, and ballot, and ballot, and
still with the same result-black republican, 3;
democrat g American l. Something like three
hundred and fifty ballots were had on Saturday
and yesterday; but not step nearer have they
brought the Board to the attainment Of its ob
jcct. And thus they may go on to the end of the
chapter triding with the interests Of the city and
with the patience of the public.
If further proof had been wanting-as it
was not-of the partisan feeling that motived
the passage Of this bill and the selection Of the
Commissioners under it, and that governs their
mode Of executing it, provisions, this balloting
for the vacant Commissionership would have
supplied the need Those who hsttcr Themselves
that under such law, so administered, this city
is ever to enjoy the blessing Of good police sys.
ten must be endowed with a very hopeful turn
Of mind. We see nothing to give us the faintest
shadow of hope that so long as this law re-
mains on the statute book VIC arc 10 witness any
Improvement on the present disorganized condi-
ton of the city.
IMPORTANT FROM MENco.-Our advices from
MEXICO are of very important character, and