The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-20


aUonSedersie government oottonr at sixpeuce
Q pound, we find the following
James Spence, Liverpool correspondent Londos -
y SAMPSON city editor of T.:i 1890
John 7. Delane, editor OF 1Ssses. is0oo
Total .x7o, ooo
Or say three hundred and seventy five thou
sand dollars, as the stock held by one journal
in this rebel cotton loan. The London Morn
ing Post, another jealous rebel sympathiser, y
set down as stakeholder in the modest figure
Of four thousand pounds. 1t Is prob able that
these journals, in the collapse Of this rebel
cotton bubble, have not lost much beyond their
labors to keep 1t floating; but only see what
bit they would have made could they have ~
cured the Independence Of the South or that
Confederate cotton" at twelve cents poundl
We cannot, however, imagine that the compen-
sations Of Davis to his English colaborers were
limited to these items of his cotton loan stock
These visionary rewards were doubtless
extra allowances. Otherwise the fraternity OF
the London Times would do well to take .
lesson in the art Of managing such speculations
from the Hon. Ben Wood. Nothing In the
shape of rebel scrip or bonds would satisfy
him.. His bill was 81, 600 cash down; and
on demand Jake Thompson, from Montreal,
forked over the check for the money. Some
body had to suffer, but the Hon. Ben
was paid. Now we would suggest to the
British metropolitan press. when next they fight
the battles of Southern rights in the way of
H. IL ~ 1<~~k oI
by the Hon. Ben Wood with Jake Thompson.
MUsuCRAL REFoRx.-Papers have been SUBJ
mitted to the Governor containing charges
against the Mayor, and other members Of the
city government, urging wholesale removal
on the ground of a corrupt administration of
the various Offices. What the Governor viii
do it is difficult to determine in the multiplicity
Of the charges and the views in relation to
them but it seems rather more than likely
that the whole movement will degenerate into
a question Of party politics, and be as bad one
way as the other. There is hardly hope that
any public benefit can come out of it. II will
not affect the progress Of corruption in our
municipal affairs, which does and will 60 on
and become worse and worse every day. There
is but one remedy for our condition, and that
lies with the people of the State at large.
There is now no exciting national issue, for
the parties agree and are only anxious which
shall be first to declare the identical impulses
that move them all. All are for johnson, from
the republicans q MsssacAqsstts e ths
democrats Of New York. The present occasion,
therefore, in the absence of national issue, is
favorable to a full consideration of the condi-
ton Of this city by the people of the State. Let
the vital question for the election Of q Legisla-
ture be the reorganization of this city. Let the
people Of the State remember the large interest
they have In this city In common with our bet
ter citizens, and elect Legislature that nauni-
cipal corruption cannot control. That Legis-
lature should appoint council or board Of
eleven persons to supersede entirely our whole
present municipal systemic sweep away all
departments, bureaus or commissions-to take
their places and to have full authority. They
must have in themselves the power to do
all the necessary acts of city government.
The Park Commission illustrates the value
Of this. Had that commission not had
full power the magnificent Embellishments
of that great work would hardly be
begun by this time. The lauded system
of"cheoks and balances" relied upon 10 secure
official honesty, is the greatest of mistakes It
only secures delay and stupendous robbery
where the robbery would be Insignificant
without IT, Kevery department must approve,
every dena rtmont has Tn he bOuUht and the
price goes up accordingly. The council should
have full authority to govern the city for Eve
years, and should In that time establish and
put in working order a system Of municipal
government adapted to our wants, the heads
of which should be elected by the people
upon the expiration Of the FIVE years. In that
time council of eleven intelligent men could
establish o practical, decent, honest, working
organization, and the appointment Of such q
council with such powers is the only present
hope of municipal reform.