The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-12


struction apparently so light that they seemed
fitted only for fair weather contests. they
confront in this experiment oil the perils that
try the strength Of the largest and strongest
built vessels. The boldness OF 1t has struck
most people with wonder, not unmxed with
anxiety. 1t is asked, what occasion is there Tor
this tempting of Providence? The owners OF
these vessels have no mere motive OF gain to
tempt them, no scientific object to promote
This is all true; but there is something beyond
even these influences to operate as induce
ments. The spirit of national rivalry, for in
stance, is not only Legitimate in ITSELF but often
leads to important results. The English have
long enjoyed pre- eminence as yachtmen--a
pre-eminence justly earned by their intense
love and ardency for the sport II is natural
that our young men should desire to prove to
them and to the world at large that whatever
daring Americans are not to be excelled in.
We can Judge Of the effect that will be pro-
dnced abroad by this race by that which it has
already created here. There was not person
who witnessed the start yesterday-the Is
not one who reads the account of 1t to-day
who does not feel as if he had himself a stake
in the result. The safe accomplishment of the
trip by these three small vessels, no matter
which of them wins, will be fresh triumph for
American enterprise.
On the impetus which the event will give to
yachting, not only here, but on the other side,
se n NJ hav
that the example set by our brave young
yachtmen will be speedily followed and that
we shall have as regular periodical visits from
the foreign yacht squadrons as any of the Eng
fish ports. The good feeling and friendly rela-
tons thus engendered cannot but be produc-
tive of the happiest results.
To those who have viewed with apprehen-
sion the venture that has given occasion to
these remarks we would say that the risk is
formidable only because OF its novelty, aud
that with good seamanship there is no reason
why these small craft should not prove as safe
as regular ocean going vessels. AS everything
that experience could suggest has been done
for them in the way of preparation, we may
anticipate for them, with continuance of the
favorable weather with which they started, a
safe and speedy arrival at their destination.
The Juggling Of Our City Rings-A Disgrace.
fail Spectacle.
We invite the attention Of the Senators and
members Of Assembly from The rural districts
to the disgraceful spectacle presented by the
Mayor and Board of Aldermen of this city in
their efforts to secure the patronage Of the
municipal government for their several
rings" II is well known that charges Of
fraud and corruption Of serious
nature have been made against Street
Commissioner Cornell and bis deputy, Will
liam NJ. Tweed, and that TO avoid an inves-
tigation, ordered by Governor Fenton, Cornell
some time since resigned his Office. His resig-
nation left Tweed in charge of the department
until successor should be nominated by the
Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Alder
men. Ever since Cornell by this trick evaded
trial and set the authority Of the Governor at
Defiance Mayor Hoffman has been playing the
farce ofscnding in TO the Board Of Aldermen the
name of Tom, Dick and Harry for the Office of
Street Commissioner, and the Board of Alder
men have been referring Tom, Dick and Harry
to committee, hanging them up for few
days and then rejecting them one after another.
Several rumors have been set aHoat in refer
ence to the causes Of this juggling. Some say
that the Mayor wants all the patronage Of the
Street Department himself, and refuses to divide
with the Aldermen. Others say that the Al
dermen want pledge from the new Commits
sioner that they shall control the department,
and that they refuse to divide with the Mayor.
The only fact that is certainly known to the
people is that while all this juggling and
thimbe-rigging is going on the Street Com
missioner's Department remains precisely under
its old management, except that instead Of
being as formerly, Cornell with Tweed behind
him, 1t is now Tweed, with Cornell at his back.
II corruption existed formerly in the office, il
remains there full blown at the present time.
II frauds were perpetrated there under the
Cornell-Twced management they are pcrpet-
uated under the Tweed-Corncll management.
Not an employee has been changed. not job
suspended, not IN expense curtailed, not a
single alteration made in the running of the
concern. The curious feature OF The affair is
that while an apparent fight has been going on
between the Mayor and the Aldermen, they are
all smiling and happy and seem TO be very
well satisfied with the general result.
IA new phase OF the business, the Mayor
overrides the last Legislature, extending the
term of Office OF the Croton Water Commits
sioners, and dominates board OF his own.
The Aldermen hold these nominees in their
committee and il is now rumored that they
seek to lump the two departments together and
make bargain with The Mayor that shall en-
brace the patronage and jobs Of both. Under
this arrangement the Croton Aqueduct Depart
ment, which has hitherto been held aloof from
the corruptions and tradings OF the "rings,r il