New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-11-22
A FEW PLAIN WORDS TO THE
CITIZENS, ASSOCIATION.


A FEW PLAIN WORDS TO THE
CITIZENS, ASSOCIATION.
Thore is one darger the Citizens Association
must sedulousy guard against. The corrup'
tioniSts of all parties are becoming alarmed at
the rising power of this new rciormatory organ
ization. Despairing Of defeating ts influence
before the people, they are now actively plotting
TO obtain control of its local action. They arc
employing agents Of respectable position to JON
the Association in the various wards, with the
direct ain OF pcryerting the ward machinery 10
work out the predatory ends OF the corruption
lists aforesaid. We do not care to charge that
they have anywhere as yet succeeded; but that
there i, danger of the success Of this scheme,
we confidently affirm on evidence beyond con-
tradiction.
There is also an obstacle 10 the success OF the
Citizens Association in the total inexperlence
Of majority OF it, members as to tho details
aud practical workings Of party organization.
This can only be overcome by On absorption
into It's ranks Of men who maintain good char
acters, in despite of some greater or less pre-
vious connection with our local politics. There
are honest and true men in all parties, who be.
long TO the minority in their own camps, and
who can be used to immense advantage in the
organization Of "Reform Party" throughout
their various wards. In word, We have among
us two "nobe armies of sore-heads
cratic and Republican-who, with proper man
agemcnt, can be turned to valuable account III
the approaching municipal contest.
Ii the gentlemen composing the Citizens As
ISOLATION expect to work all elective reform
while wearing white Kid gloves constantly. and
associating with mono but those whom they
would he willing to receive at their tables as
equal companions and friends, they had better
step out of politics at once. We must have
representative men of the various localities
aud populations Of our city at any cost, caring
nothing for their station, wealth or position III
society. but combining our questions to two:
Are they of honest character aud are they
truly representative men Of their respective dis
iricts' With these questions answered salts
lactorily In the Affirmative, no others should be
asked.
We hear confident boasts from the eorrup'
tioni-ts Of all parties, that in this or the other
ward or district the Citizens nomination has
been captured" for this or The other candidate
Of a corrupt interest. II may therefore be wise
for our reforming friends to adopt as general
ule-of course, with executions, in cases OF
conspicuous fidelity TO tho public intereSts--a
resolve that no present ofice-holder or member
of either Board of the Common Council shall be
renominated or Endorsed by the reiorners.
radical remedy is required in this matter; the
actual cautery must be applicd aud in noman-
ner can the existing corrupt combinations be
broken up more eficctunlly or thoroughly than
by snch a general resolve as We have indicated.
With discretion IN the part Of the Citizens
Association in il nominations and indorsc-
ments, and with vigorous work between now
and next election day. il is quite possible that
we may elect an honest and reputable Common
Council, who will reduce orr Tax Levy from
four 10 five millions of dollars. At present our
municipal taxation appears on It's face to be
but fifteen millions OF dollars annually-an
utterly monstrous sum; but II is in reality far
more, much nearer to eighteen or twenty
millions. ii any desire to know how this in
crease Of the real over the ayowed taxation is
brought about, they will find the explanation
in that clause oil recent legislation which
provides that the Controller shall be
authorized TO issue bonds for tho pay.
ment Of any judgments obtained against the
city. Under this clause il rs obviously within
the power OF the Controller and Corporation
Counsel 10 swell our annual expenditures to any
amount they please-to Fifty instead Of Fifteen
Millions of dollars, should it 20 please them or
be to their interest; and We have heard apropos
to this, that within very recent period ''judg-
mcnts practically ~ default have been oh.
tanned against the City Treasury for over three
quarters Of a nil6onof dolArs--,hc Corporation
Counsel either not appearing at all, or Offering
no serious defense.
THE KEARsARGE.