The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-09

We observe that the managers of the City Pas
senger Railway-doubtless for the purpose Of
strengthening the hold which they already have
upon the confidence and respect of this commu-
nity-have openly given the superintendent of
portions Of their work to some of the most noto-
rous among the unhanged outlaws who have the
freedom of our city. After the developments
which attended the recent opening of the subscrp-
ton book, nothing scarcely was wanting to give
the enterprise perfect responsibility except the asso
citation Gifts interests and reputation with the names
of RICHARD HARRIS, DAVID HoUcK and JOHN GAM
BRILL If, as we have heard suggested, the en-
plUyment of these men was designed by way of
set-off TO the implied threat of His Honor the
MAYOR, in that part of his Message wherein he
spoke of the " vitality of the job as dependent
upon the goodwill of our citizens lit is a
beautiful comment upon the system under which
we live-the mode in which we are ruled, and tie
people who rule usl 1t shows the true estimate
placed upon the Getty Government by the par
tsans who established it, and is reduction of
the whole imposture of our municipal administra-
ton into the elements of outlawry and disgrace,
which are its body, its spirit, and its support, and
may be its downfall. Looking at the matter in a
practical point of view, however, we are not sure
that the railway operators have not some reason on
their side. After having bought the town and
paid for it, why should they not have the privi-
lege of kicking and cutting it besides? Having
taken possession of the streets, why should they
not do as they please with those who walk them?
If MAYORS can be elected by ruffiansm, and honest
men made 10 hold their tongues, why should not
railway tracks be laid under the same auspices
and all impairment objections be silenced by the
same process? 1t is all part and parcel of the same
thing, and disguise it from ourselves as we may,
1t Is what we have been coming to- for some years
past, and shall have more Of before we have
done, unless the common manhood of the decent
portion of the community should be goaded into
rebellion at last
30 far as the railway job is concerned it is quite
clear that this last outrage-bad as it is-can give
no blacker hue to the whole nefarious scheme.
Begun in corruption, -insolently carried out in
defiance of public opinion, common right
and even decent appearances,-it is monu-
ment of what respectable community can
by the gradual process of official demoraliza-
ton be brought patiently to bear. Without
the shadow of right granted by the Legislature
of the State to any such effect-a mere municipal
corporation has given the absolute control of its
public highways, to an irresponsible monopoly of
jobbers and SPECTATORS who have made their pre-
tended privileges the subject of open and notorious
tratfic-brnging in upon Us an equally irresponsi-
BILE association of obbers and spectators at second
hand, from sister city, who have audaciousy set
at defiance all law and propriety in the unblush-
ing contamination of the fraud contemplated from
the start. 1t was only needed that they should
make to themselves body-guard of bullies, Sc
lected from the body-guard of the same heretofore
dedicated to the service of the authorities-n or
der to render the transaction complete and homo
geneous, and unparalleled outside of Baltimore.