The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-13


do 80 for some days to come. They have
not yet reached the bottom Of the we'll of cor
ruptiop, and while one bucketfull of filth re-
mains to DO drawn up they will stick to the
work. For the past few years every succeed
ing Legislature has exceeded the previous one
in the evil courses for which that body has be-
come SO notorious. Not an interest nor right
which this metropolis possessed that has not
been basely assailed, until what one body failed
to accomplish its successor too surely achieved.
The local government Of the city has been
stripped of its authority by piecemeal; the
power vested in its executive has been Topped
off and bartered to irresponsible and unknown
politicians from all parts of the State; the CON
troll of the police has been centred in the hands
Of similar set of individuals; all its public de-
paItments have been flooded by corrupt and
corrupdng partisans, and every right, privilege
and franchise the city possessed has been
stolen in the most unblushing fashion, and all
this without even pretence of honesty, justice
or necessity.
But it remained for the present republican
Legislature to cap the climax of iBfamy. The
annals of politics since New York became q
State present no parallel for the rascality and
shameful corruption of that body whose Ca
reer ofiniquity happily expires in few days
THr INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES AT WASHING
roN-TnE TRUE Issue BEFORE THE COUNTRY
There are now three or four committees sitting
IN Washington investigating and attempting to
establish charges of corruption and fraud
against certain politicians of the democratic
party; but if these committees expect to raise
any Issue with their opponents upon such
grounds they are grievousV mistaken, for, as
far as corruption and dishonesty are concerned,
the politicians of all parties are equally delip-
quent whether at Washington, New York, or
anywhere else. Neither the Covode committee,
nor the Hoard committee, nor the rest of
them, can astonish the country by any dis.
coveriee, however startling, they may make.
We all know how thoroughly uDprincipled ana
dishonest the politicians of all parties are;
mercantile men and others engaged in the or.
binary pursuits of life have some integrity and
honesty, because their good name and their
success depend upon these qualities; but poll
ticians, having no such encentive are entirely
devoid of them. Nothing, then, witch the in.
veshgating committees of Washington can
bring to light, either against their antagonists
or themselves, will awaken the least surprise
throughout the country, for no one expects,
from past experience, to find anything else in
the politicians of either party, in every quarter
of the Union, but rascality and the deepest
corruption in every shape
Look at the Albany Legislature, for example,
where the majority of the republicans and
the majority of the democrats invariably
unite upon every infamous scheme of plum
der which comes up, regardless of party
lines, or principle, or anything else, save
rapacious grasping after spoil, no matter
by what nefarious ioeans 1t can be reached
Look at the legislative bodies elsewhere, which,
though they do not rival the Albany Legfsla-
ture in iniquity, are still governed by the same
spirit; and look at the local legislature of New
York-our Boards of Aldermen and Council
men. Can anything in the history Of munich
pal government exceed the degradation into
which those bodies have fallen, both the re-
publican and the democratic branches of them?
1t is absurd to suppose that the republican
committees at Washington can make any issue
for the approaching election out of any charges
of Interruption against the democratic politicians,
The issue before the country is broader and
deeper than the corrupt practices of any party,
or Of any newspaper, or any railroad; it is an
issue upon the constitution, and the permanence
of the Union itself. 1t is an issue between the
John Browns, Stewards, and other agitators Of
the North, and the rights and privileges which
the constitution guarantees to the South-sn
issue which imperils the stability OF the country
and every commercial interest of the nation,
from its northern to its southern limits, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific shores. From this
great question no petty intrigues of political
demagogues like these investigating COM
mittees, either at Washington or elsewhere, can
divert the popular mind; nor can they convince
the people that in the matter of dishonesty,
corruption and fraud, the politicians of all
parties do not stand upon an even platform.
bri, the primA donna engaged by Max Mareszes,
made her first appearance last night in Verdis opera
ola Taviata, supported by Sgpor Errani (Aredo)
Ardavani (GermoaD.
ACADEMY OF MUac.-"Don Pasquale," with Patti, Brig
noI, Ferr and susin viii be given night, the
Saturday matinee.
ACCIDENT TO AN ACTREss.-A melancholy acodent
Cured Miss wyete, actress Of ability
on The sth inst while playrg in the piece Of "Fausus
at the National theatre, in Cincinnati where che
fulfilling engagement. During the progress of the
piece she supposed be consigned the lower regions
and while the scenic effect being produced, By
other barrel OF gunpowcer fell aud exploited
the stage nicting serious injuries upon MSS Wyeite
Her ekn blackened and her person otherwise dis
hgursd Medical aid promptly rendered, and it is to
be hoped that she will recover
Visit "a the Island Insttt utlons.
THE GUESTS OF THE TEN GOVERNORS AND COMMON
COUNCIL.