The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-13
NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, AUGUST Is, 1856.

~ 1VAtA hHnhI1,
rhe Election i'm This state-The Legis-
iature and Our City Affairs.
The political parties in this State are 80
nearly equally balanced that the party which
can obtain any slight advantage over the ohcr
is sure to win the day. Thus, In 1862, the de-
mocracy carried the State with about ten thou
sand majority. In the Presidential election
last year the republicans were successful and
secured little over six thousand majority. To
accomplish the latter result the republican
party had the entire influence Of the national
government, with all its extensive power and
patronage lavishly bestowed, and TO q greater
extent than was ever before known In the bis
tory of the State. II, then, with all this influ-
ence and patronage on their side, and at time
when the general government welded greater
power than at any period since the foundation
of the government, the republicans could only
carry the State by that meagre majority, the
inference Is that they have not in reality any
prebonderapce in their favor. These facts
must lead eli observers Of events to the oon-
clusion that the two parties are 90 nearly equal
in strength that the success Of one is just az
likely az the other, and that the whole question
rests upon the skill of the managers in hand
ling the questions at issue. g M =
1t is now considered quite certain that there
will be no issue in this State on national ques-
tions Of any moment, and that the election boz.
ing merely for minor State officers and the
Legislature it will be fought out on local issues
pure and simple. Both parties manifest their
approval Of President Johnsons reorganization
policy and are equally anxious to render him
their support. This fact alone precludes the
exercise Of the power Of the national admins
tration in the coming canvass 1t is true that
the radicals In the republican party are bitter
against the President, and that the copperhead
element in the democratic party Il also In
olined the same way. But the vast ma
jority of both parties decidedly approve
his course, while the copperhead and
the radical republican elements balance
each other, giving to neither party the advan-
tage on that score. This position Of affairs we
consider very fortunate for the people Of the
State During the excitement over national
questions which preceded the war, and the In
tense anxiety which has existed In the public
mind for the preservation of the Union through
the four years struggle with the rebellion,
many abuses have orept in upon US In our
State and municipal governments which need
correction, and this furnishes the people an
opportunity to attend to this important work.
We have no doubt that the scheming and
corrupt politicians in this city and elsewhere
will do all that lies in their power to force
upon the party conventions some national
issne, TO divert attention from their work and
enable them to continue their operations I'M
moicsted for some time to come. But N t',is
We apprehend they will signally fail
What, then, is the duty of the party mama
gers under this condition Of affairs. We have
on several occasions shown the necessity for
reform, both In this city and at Albany; and
this, after oil, bids fair to become the issue
upon which the contest is to be conducted In
this State and the voters marshalled to the.
ballot box in November. Our only reliance
in correcting the evils complained Of b in the
selection Of better class of representatives In
the Legislature, and In the adoption by our
lawmakers Of measures that will take not only
this city but ell similarly misgoverned In the
State out of the hands Of tho oliques which are
now plundering the citizens right and left. It
will make no difference which party inaugurstes
this movement. That party which shows the
best disposition TO bring about the much needed
reform will have the support of the people and
carry the State. Our only hope in putting an
end to the corruption In this city is In the
bold action of the Legislature, and in its selec-
ton of four or five OF the best
and most efficient men 10 be found
and appointing them commissioners to
take charge of the city government They
must have full power to discharge all the duties
of the present officials, and continue the exer-
else Of that power until charter suited to our
necessities can be prepared. This is the only
manner in which we can secure the necessary
checks and the adoption Of system which will
place the responsibility of the city government
where It can be reached, and some persons
held amenable for the misdeeds Of our officials.
To accomplish this purpose il Is essential
that the managers Of one Of our great political
parties shall raise the standard Of reform, not
only In this city, but throughout the State, and
place men in nomination pledged to vigorously
carry out that policy. The people are ready
and ripe for the movement. All that The party
managers have to do is to inaugurate the move
ment see that the right kind Of men are placed
in nomination for the Legislature, and the peo-
pie and public opinion will take care OF the
rest.
The French Prince Impcrtal-Dy nastie
Children.
The recent illness Of the French Prince i'm
perisl, q lad Of eight years, and said to be
sprightly and intelligent, Is known to have
created for some days an intense anxiety in
Europe.