The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-04

Albany To-Day, commences us SESSION. uhuei uo
ordinary circumstances. The republican majo-
rity in both branches is overwhelming-a Cir
cumstance which carries along with cheering
sense of power and q monopoly of the spoils
certain degree of responsibility from which no
political dodger, however artful, can escape
The exact position of the party in the majority
may be summed up in few words. Like all
new political organizations, it originated with
the dissatisfied members Of the old parties, wing
and democratic. It's leaders have artfully
avaled themselves of all popular issues, and car
ried with them very large floating vote, con-
tributed by people who, singular as it may
seem, have still some confidence in politicians
promises. The republicans alienated very
large and respectable section of the democratic
party, and with the debris of the old wings, went
into business about four years ago. The demo
cracy always at war among themselves, gave
the new concern no great trouble; but the Ame-
rican, or Know Nothing party, coming before the
people with certain marketable theories and
with the prestige of youth, freshness and vigor,
caused the republicans serious uneasiness and
finally overcame them at the polls. Subsequent
ly the republicans again came into power, and
have ever since had sufficient plurality in the
Legislature to secure the spoils of Office, while
at the same time they have pleaded the
want of working majority as an ex-
cuse for the repeated violation of their pledges
to the people We are not aware that they owe
anything to the democrats that voted with them,
any more than we believe that that party has
any distinctive principles whatever. But in the
late election the republicans could not have won
without the assistance Of the Americans, who
consented to union in consideration of certain
specific pledges made by the republicans. These
pledges must now be fulfilled or the republican
party will fall to pieces.
So much for the political aspect of the case.
We come now to the more popular view Of it..
What causes operated to give the republicans
so sweeping victory in the late election? There
was no national question involved in the matter,
SO it must have been solely State canvass upon
State topics. The people were disguised with
the vulgar squabbles among the democratic
leaders. They despaired of gaining any useful
reforms from the braves of Tammany Hail. and
resolved to give the opposition fair chance.
In return, certain promises were made to the
people, their performance being contingent upon
the success which has been achieved. Now we
find every department Of the State government
in the hands Of the republicans, aud now the
people call for the redemption of the party
pledges, which involve the enactment of laws as
follows
For the registration of legal voters in the large
cities.
For the regulation of the sale of intoxicating
liquors.
For more thorough, firm and economical 60
vernment in the metropolis
For the completion Of the canals.
For the tolling of the railroads that compete
with the canals in the carrying trade.
For the revision of the laws in relation to the
qualifications of voters.
For the regulation of the Quarantine laws, and
the adjustment of the Staten Island troubles
generally.
For the revision of the laws in relation to port
wardens, harbor masters and wharfage.
The Importance Of some Of these propositions
can hardly be Overrated.
First, as to the registry law We believe that
the necessity of further guards of the ballot is
admitted on all hands. In the city of New York
especially each party accuses the other of the
most shameless and unblushing frauds in the
subornatiOn of illegal voters. The proposed
remedy-the registration of every voter previous
IN fha IF oil nd {bn l.:
name and residences simple enough, and would
be attended with advantages other than the tenn
porary security of the right of suffrage. The
Americans are committed in favor of such q
law; the republicans have pledged themselves to
enact it the democrats do not yet openly op-
pose it. The republicans have heretofore avoided
adopting registry law by series of political
tricks and evasions; but no lying will save them
now. The registry law must be put through.
The liquor question is rather more complex 1t
is certain, however, that the present excise law
is farce, and that new one must take its place.
This question, and that Of municipal reform for
the metropolis, are Of grave import. It is not
necessary to enlarge here upon the evils under
which this misgoverned and tax-burdened city
labors. Our people know, and the Legislature is
quite we'll aware that the government of the city
of New York is radically bad, and that until the
reform of the organic law upon which it is based
and that is the charter derived from the Legisla-
ture-no set of men can ever make it much better.
We want more power and longer official tenure
for the Mayor. We want closer, more compact,
more condensed povarnment-one xvboro eo,oo
one will be responsible to the people for every
thing, holding his subordinates accountable to
himself The science of government is simple
enough when the principles of common sense are
applied to it. The difficulty with politicians is
that they ignore common sense altogether Look
at our bungling, stupid, many headed incompre-
hensible department system, where everything is
except stealing, which is too d.
rect to be agreeable to the tax payers. The re-