The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-21


he Legislature to alter or amend the city char
er in several points. In the first place, the
Mayor should have longer tenure Of oficc-say
five years-and be invested with more ample
powers. Under the present charter the Mayor
holds Office during two years. The first half OF
his term is occupied in learning something OF
the duties Of the place, and the second in ar
ranging plans for the succession. The effect OF
long term would be to sink the politician in
the magistrate, and to give US an executive ON
Ger thoroughly capable Of disoharging his duties,
however multfarious, delicate and complex they
may be. Although the present charter prctentls
to give more power TO the Mayor than that which
it superseded, yet it is only pretence. The
Mayor, it is true, has more patronage; but the
city government is still weak on account of its
decentralization through the many headed de-
partment system, which should be reformed
altogether. During the past ten years we have
had any quantity Of charter making. or tinker
ing. by several sets Of good natured people but
the result has been the same in all cases.
set Of spoilsInen have robbed us right and left.
What we want now is an entirely new order Of
things We have new men. Let us have new
measures with them.
In addition to the charter, the Legislature
should enact some kind of registry law. IN
less the purity Of the ballot box is preserved
popular government is an absurdity and a
humbug of the himsiest kind. We do
no! suppose that any one will deny that
the system Of universal suffrage has been grossly
abused in this city by all parties. We all agree
that something should be done to prevent illegal
voting and ballot box stuffng-that something
can be found in the registry ofevery legal voters
name and residence previous to election day.
The law now provides that it shall be registered
when he deposits his vote, and the change re-
Guired is only matter of time, after all Under
the present system the voter can only have &C
cess 10 the pou list with degree Of difficulty
| that amounts almost to prohibition. With a
| registry Law such list would be printed and
exposed TO public view at least twenty-four hours
before election day. The republican organs have
always claimed that they we're in favor of a re-
| gistry law; the republican party has now the
| power to make such an enactment, and the
people expect that Il will be done.
| The Legislature should also look into the
| affairs Of the Central Park, the Board Of Educa-
| ton, the police, the streets, and the City In
| spector's Department. The session cannot be
more proftably employed than in thorough
investigation of city affairs, from the top to the
bottom The tax levy should be carefully scruti-
Missed. The item Of salaries constantly increasing
| viii bear little cutting down; and we believe
tha. by thorough and conscientious revision OF
The ss,ms.--. al least thirty per cent of the
| whole amount demanded might he saved TO the
| taxpayers.
If the dominant parry will listen to the voice
IF reason, and hearkcn to tho words OF truth and
soberness, we may yet hope for true city reform.
But If, on the contrary, they follow in the beaten
track, stealing as they 90 along, then we shall
be as deep in the mire as ever. We do not appeal
| to their patr;otism-that is word which vas
dropped from the dictionary Of politics long ago
but rather to their selfshness, which is the foun
dation of political success, az times go. They
have IL in their power to prolong their tenure o
Office to any reasonable extent. Raised to power
| through the bunders aud corruption nt taeT o.
| ponents, they have a grand opportunity 4
strengthen their position and preserve their
/, supremacy in the State. Such an opening Is but
rarei, offered TO any political organization. Let
US see how The SSssrrublicans will Use il.
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