The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-06

Our City acknowledgement REFORMS.
The sugg estions of reform in State and city
affairs contained in Governor Morgan's Message
will, we hope, have some influence on our re-
publican Legislature. Recommendations which
they might not be disposed to accept from their
political opponents should have some weight,
coming from 80 prominent a member of their
own party When republican Governor de-
clares that the present condition of things re-
quires amendment, it is time for those who form
members of the same political organization to
bethink themselves of the improvement of their
handiwork of the last session.
II the republicans are really desilous of OBJ
tanning credit as party, they will have to re-
trace their steps to much greater extent than
that indicated in the Governors Message. The
main share of the odium attaching to them in
this State arises from their legislation in
reference to the government of our city.
1t is all very well for Mr.. Morgan
to endeavor to make capital out of
such questions as State retrenchments, the par
doning prerogative and prison discipline. These
are features of State policy which have undoubt-
eddy general interest but they do not bear on the
issues which directly affect the city of New York.
In the whole message there is not single sug-
gestion or Recommendation which has practical
application to the local evils under which we
are suffering, and for most Of which we are in
debted to republican misrule.
The present Legislature has it in its power to
retrieve the disgrace brought upon the political
organization of which it is the representative,
by an honest and Straightforward course of pro-
ceeding in reference to our city affairs. If not
ashamed to acknowledge the errors of their pre-
decessors, they will proceed to undo, seratim, all
that the latter have done. Some indications of
this disposition are manifest in the message of
Governor Morgan. Let us hope that the
contrition, of which these may be taken as
proofs, pervades generally the members of
the party, who constitute the majority of the
present Legislature. There is hope for repentant
Sinners and we do not despair even of the black
republicans If they will only introduce such
amendments into the city charter as modern ne
cessities call for-abolish the commissions
which they have created to the detriment of the
principle of selfgovernment, centre the RESPONSE
bility of all the municipal appointments
in the Mayor, change the charter elections
to the spring, and give us new Registry law,
we are not sure but that we may be brought to
regard them as fair dealing and well intentioned
men. Under our present municipal system it is
evident that we must daily decline from bad to
worse, and any party which will have the ho-
nesty and frmness to arrest our downward pro-
gress will earn title to the gratitude of the
New York constituency. Let the republicans,
then, bid for the popular favor by fair and
straightforward course of legislation in regard to
our city government. Tie peculiar constitu-
ton of the party will not, it is true,
permit them to achieve much in the way
of reform, but any attempts that they may
make in this direction will be attended with
benefit by putting the democracy on their mettle,
and keeping them in the path in which they
should move.