The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-21

TIE CARR LIBEL CAsE-SNGULAR TERAINA-
TIoN-Elsewhere In our columns Q report will
be found of the singular termination of the Carr
libel case. The jury, it appears, stood six to
sIx-six for conviction and six for acquittal-
presenting complete Jfdsco on the part of
the prosecution to substantiate the charge
of malicious libel preferred by Mr.. Busted,
the Corporation Counsel. against Mr.. Carr,
one of the Commissioners of Assessments.
This has been most significant and momen-
tous prosecution, and as remarkable in its
management by the Court, the counsel, and all
concerned, as for its termination in an utter
failure. On the part Of the counsel, for and
against, there has been no lack of exertion; aud
we may say that the case of Mr.. Carr has been
managed with considerable talent and elcquence
by his advocate, Mr.. Whiting. The Court, in
the person of Judge Russell, has shown in this
trial an example of firmness of purpose, clear
ness of decision, and strict adherence to tie
most rigid principles of law, which leaves little
to say on the part of the public, either one way
or the other.
The interest Of this case arises, not from Mr.
Busted, the prosecutor, not from Mr.. Carr, the
defendant, not from any of the counsel engaged
in it, but from certain outside features Of a re-
markable character, connected with the morale
of parties and factions in tits horribly mis-
governed city of New York. Mr.. Carr never
attacked the personal, private or public charac-
ter of Mr.. Busted. In the published article
complained'Sf he attacked the atrocious system
of government in this city, and more particu-
larry that branch of 1t which embraces the
opening of streets and the assessment of our
citizens for these and other fragrant jobs of
corruption and plumber. The party at present
npower in the Corporation, and all other parties
and factions, have heretofore shown themselves
the patrons and supporters Of the system
Of Wholesale robbery by which the taxes of
the city have been raised to the enormous
amount Of nine to ten millions. The at
tempt in the case of Mr.. Carr was to
prevent any investigation on the part of an
individual into this awful gulf of the public
money, under the pains and penalty of libel
suit, in order that this system of corporate
plumber may be preserved for the benefit Of the
parties that may chance to hold Office. That
was the principle at stake in this trial; and on
that principle the jury failed to sgree-six being
for an inquiry into municipal corruption and
six against it.
The result of this extraordinary trial and
attempt to put down poor but honest man for
endesvoring to expose the shameful manner in
which the money of the taxpayers is wasted and
plundered, may be looked upon rs the COM
mencement of q revolution which bids fair to
rival the whirlwind in its rapidity and progress.
Thomas Nelson Carr, whom the combined
strength of the municipal officials has en-
deavored to convict and punish, Is native of
this city, and has always been q democrat,
poor but honest, and we have no doubt
that the sixty thousand taxpayers Of New
York, who understand his case, will take
II up, mediate upon II, and make it the basis Of
Q movement which will speedily sweep out of
Office the harpies who fatten upon the municipal
spoils. 1t is our belief that if we had such An
honest and bold man as Comptroller, he would
soon be able to ferret out and punish the jobs
and rascalities in the administration of the city
revenues which poor old Mr.. Flagg either does
not understand or is unwilling to admit
Why, therefore, should not q movement
be at once set on foot by the tax payers, in
opposition to the Tammsny Hall and all other
rotten factions, to effect real and positive
reform Ia tho Corporation, and put up for Office
such dIsinterested and capable men as Mr.. Carr
has shown himself to be? II the plundered
taxpayers of this swfully robbed city be deter
mined to put stop to the leaks through which
their money is go unaccountably disappearing,
they will at the next municipal election in
November or December nominate and vote into
the Office Of Comptroller and other Offices Of re-
sponsibility some such bold and honest and ca
pable person as the citizen who has Just passed
through such severe ordeal In defence Of their
interests.
The CREvAssE IN NEW ORLEASs-GREAr
Loss OF THE CANE CRoP.-The accounts from
the South inform us of the continued high water
In the lower Mississippi river, and Of the state