The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-01

The MUNICIPAL ELgcTToN-NoT MUcH Ex-
PECTED FROM blessed, saith the proverb, are
those that expect nothing, for they shall not be
disappointed Such consolation is not of the
most cheerful character, but 1t is all that we can
offer to the taxpayers of this city; and, indeed,
it is all they deserve; for a more hopeless set of
political incapables never existed than the men
who have the heaviest stake in our municipal
affairs. BY all accounts they intend to allow
the municipal election next week to go by de-
fault, and to permit the city to remain in the
hands Of the fifteen thousand pugilists, emigrant
runners pickpockets, pimps, low rumscllers and
brothel keepers, who have administered our
local affairs with such eminent success, so far as
filling their own greasy pockets is concerned.
The officers to be chosen by the people of this
city next week are really of more Importance to
us than those which are voted for in any ma
tional or State election. But as the matter is
viewed by the taxpayers, the election an affair
Of no consequence at all. The old parties, fac
tons and cliques, backed by the shoulder-hitting
governing powers who are free lauces and fight
wherever the pay Is the best, have nominated
certain men TO control the financial affairs Of the
city, to direct its public institutions, and
to superintend the instruction of our youth.
One would think that the men selected
as candidates for such important stations
would be persons of unbemishcd reputation.
and first rate standing in the community; that
they would rely for the sunrages Of their fellow
citizens upon their known integrity, purity and
alb oh sc tho axx.sth 9th "a De-
how is II with us. The journals Of the day are filed
with the foulest charges against all the cand-
dates. The conscientious voter who desires 10
deposit his ballot for the best man, without re-
gard to his political afuties, turns away in dis
gust on finding that common rumor makes all
the aspirants alike. One Is accused of bigotry
fanatcism Maria Monkism, and Fanny Wright
ism. Others are corrupt politicians, selling their
friends and their principles for the smallest
mcsses Of poitage All are called second, third
or fourth rate political hacks, who will admins
ter the affairs Of the city to forward the interests
Of the needy cliques which nominated them,
rather than for the public good During the ad-
mnistration of Mayor Wood great outcry was
made against him because the taxes were in
creased million and half in one year: but we
do not find that the new regime has done any
better, and the prospects for the future are even
worse. But the financial plundering Of the peo-
pie, though bad enough, is not the worst species
Of the misrule under which We groan. The cdu-
cation of youth is placed in the hands Of men
who ought TO take the place Of the pupils in the
primary schools-of men who do very we'll as
dealers out Of provisions liquors, or as bullies
in ward meetings, or pimps and touters for
gambling houses, but who are, 10 use q mild ex-
precision, somewhat out Of their element when
they attempt TO direct the most ordinary educa-
tiona1 institution. In order TO hide the weakness
Of the system, we have a grand outcry about the
Bible In the schools, when the truth Ia that the
schools are already ovcrburdened with books Of
all sorts, which are not Of the smallest possible
value TO the scholar, who Is supposed TO acquire
the rudiments Of an English education. These
text books are introduced to favor some pub
Usher, who divides the profits Of the job with the
school officers, and IL Is very probable now that
some shrewd bookseller has a LOT Of old Bibles on
hand. on which he desires TO realize at the city
expense. People who are so good natured az TO
believe that they are voting upon question Of
morals and religion are simply throwing some
thousands Of dollars into the hands Of corrupt
political hacks and their needy accompces.
That these things are true, no one who has
paid the slightest attention to the outside ma
nagement Of city polhics will attempt to deny.
That every honest man wishes that they should
be reformed is equally true; but our business
men are too sluggish, or too much occupied
with buying and selling, to give any of their
time to the defence Of their pockets against poll
teal plunderers. Therefore we must wait
another year at least. Therefore we must sub