The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-03

WHO-SHoULD GOVERN THE CIrY ?-Considersr
bic anxiety is felt by many taxpayers to psrti-
cipate in the movement for the organization Of
an independent party, with view to elect honest
and competent persons to Offices under the Cor
porstion at the next election, and we hope that
those parties who are foremost in the matter
will take proper measures to include all proper
ty owners in the city in their combination So
far, we learn that the numbers signing the cali
now in circulation are very large but the only
way to accomplish the desired purpose effectu-
ally is to go through the tax book for last year
seriatim, and obtain the signatures of every tax
payer there. Wecannot believe that any one OF
them is SO ignorant of the evils of the present
mode Of assessing property for street improve
ments-the patent frauds that are daily commit
ted by Office holders, contractors surveyors and
others-or so Indifferent TO the effect thereof on
his individual interest as to withhold his 90
operation with the only plan whereby these
evils can be corrected.
The enemies Of municipal reform-and by
this we mean not sham but genuine reform
q radical change in the whole system of our city
government-will endeavor to raise all kinds Of
outside issues ut the fall election In order to d.
vert The public mind from the only question which
really interests IL, Is far as our county election
Is concerned. But If the men Of common sense
Of all parties, looking to the main subject of
cheap, honest, and good government, only do
their duty 70 themselves, all such attempts will
prove utterly futile. Heretofore the rowdy ele-
ment has been predominant in all our elections.
Hhas gained the strength Of giant from the in
difference and carelessness Of that class which
has the highest interest In the affairs Of tho
city government-the taxpaying class Az
long as the entire control of the nominations
and the ballot box Is left to q set of vagsbonds,
rowdies and thieves what can we expect but TO
zee all public Offices filed by kindred spiritss
That such has been the result Of the present
and past system of nominating officers for tho
different departments Of the municipal govern
ment II Is unnecessary to assert at this time, in
the face Of the startling revelations which have
astonished and alarmed the public for several
months past. II costs hardly more than three
millions year to govern, or, rather, missovern,
the city according 10 the present fashion, yet
te,> millions will be extorted from the tar
pavers this year. Where will the balance gos
Let the I'M. ''ctment against Chemung Smith, the
reports of Tho Joint Committee Of Accounts,
and the admissions # Comptroller Flagg him
'elf, answer that qucstio.7' Now, the remedy for
his state of things is pla.. anu s',np's' We
have fifty thousand voters ia Y" cny' cohlfi-
'utiug by means Of taxes TO pay 70. sOVea'og
{, aud about twenty thousand who o'y re
axes, but who have actually the control o, 'als
Its interests, Its treasury aud in
onor In their hands. Let the taxpaying ma
ority unite ID one man, independent Of nu
'ariy prejudces, and drive these rascals out of
flee next December. II only requires a litslo
nergy and determination 10 accomplish tais.