The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-21

ard which the infamous liar.
The FRAUDS ON sHx CRY TREAsURY--A MOVE
MENr AMONG The TAXPAYERS accordance
with the views we have 60 repeatedly laid be-
fore the taxpayers, aid impressed with the ar
gent necessity that exists for some reform In our
municipal government number of our wealthy
citizens have united in an organization de-
signed to affect the pext charter election. and
all future elections, for the choice of city officers
So far, We learn, the organization has been to .
certain extent secret one-no one being ad-
nitted unless upon invitation Of q committee
appointed for the purpose, and they are in
etructed to invite only such persons as have .
stake in the property Of the city, and who are
not professional politicians The roll Of men,
btre, we understand, already includes large
number Of prominent merchants aud profes-
sional men, and the NOV ement is making rapid
progress in all the uptown wards,
The members Of the old Municipal Reform
Committee are rigidly excluded from this or
gauization, it being the design of its projectors
to keep clear Of all parties who have heretofore
meddled in politics, and who consequently are
looked upon with suspicion by the public.
AS may be supposed from ell that we have
already said upon the subject for some months
past, the object of the leaders of this movement
is twofole fret, to put worthy and capable men
in Office ut the next municipal election; and
second, to effect radical and enduring change
in the city charter, through the agency Of the
Constitutional Convention, which will probably
be, and certainly ought to be called together
during the coming year. They purpose to lay
the sxe to the root Of the scandalous abuses
which have 80 long disgraced the government
of this city.
Among the special reforms purposed to be ef-
fected are the following
First-To take away from the Common Coun-
Gil and Supervisors the power to increase the
salaries Of city officials, and to reduce mate.
rally the salaries now received.
Second To abolish all fees, and to make II a
misdemeanor for public officer to receive any
thing beyond his fixed salary. This is designed
especially to affect such offices as that of She
riff and County Clerk, the incumbents Of which
receive more per annum than the President OF
the United States or foreign minister.
ThiId-To reorganize the Police Department,
20 as to place it moro under the control of the
city authorities and to reduce the salaries OF
the patrolmen and officers.
Fourth-To have fewer officials to elect, and
TO make them more directly responsible to the
Mayor.
These and kindred matters have been referred
to subcommittee to report upon and the result
Of their deliberation will be laid in due time be-
fore the public.
All the prominent members Of this indepen-
dentparty ore pledged not to accept nominations
for any Office themselves, and we may therefore
reasonably hope that they will be Influenced by
higher motives than love Of power, place or
plumber.
This Is precisely the course we have been
urging the property owners of the city to take,
and If they follow it out vigorously there will be
an end to the reign of ward ruffians, fighting
men, and rowdies Of all parties, who have held
the city so long In their grasp. There are over
thirty thousand taxpayers in the city, repre-
senting hundred and twenty-five millions Of
property. An Independent party of that num-
Der, acting with q single view to reforming the
municipal government and reducing the taxes,
can carry all before them. Let those who have
20 wisely undertaken the movement now see
that II does not flag.