The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-27
CITY md Judiciary Reform.

A resolution has been adopted by the State
Senate, moved by Mr.. Gibson, calling for de-
tailed report of matters connected with the
management Of wharves, piers, markets, fer
ries and other property belonging to the city
of New York, and of all moneys paid for adj
vertising and printing for the city and county
during the past three or four years, and for re-
pairing, whitewashng, furnishing and Citing up
the arseuals within the county for the last year.
This is all very well, and we have no doubt
that Senator Gibson will find matter enough in
the report, if he should ever get it, to supply
all the rural pulpits and debating societies in
the State with material for descanting upon the
corruptions and wickedness Of New York for
the next three years. But what is the neces-
sity for such an INQUIRY If the venerable
Senator will draw upon his imagination and
picture wharves, piers, markets and all other
property and privileges out Of which the city
should realize handsome income, parcelled
out by the several rings as jobs among grog-
shop politicians, bruisers and others of their
friends at an expense instead Of profit 10
the taxpayers II he will put the figure for
advertising and printing for the past three or
four years at about ten times any reasonable
amount, and the expenditure on arsenals as
high as his conscience will justify, with view
to the number Of supervisors having an in
terest therein, we will guarantee that he will
come within bounds of the facts These
investigations" seldom accomplish any good.
The people know well enough that the whole
grogshop government of New York y o. foul
with corruption as it well can be, and If the
Senate is not in possession Of the same infor-
nation they must be very unso-
phisticated and innocent body of men,
They have already an investigation on their
hands In which one Of their own number is
personally interested. II does not seem to
occupy much of their attention, and the public
might altogether lose light Of the fact that the
ex-Street Commissioner Of New York holds
place in the Senate Of the State, and has voice
aad . vote on ell questions relating to NUM-
cipai corruption, but for dropping fire Of
petitions for his removal which Is heard now
and then in the chamber, and which is received
complacently enough by the member against
whom IL is directed.
The fact Is our citizens want thorough
system Of city reform, and they would remind
Senator Gibson that such resolution a. he
has introduced can scarcely be considered
necessary. and is sometimes used for the pur-
pose Of delay, and with the object Of defeating
the very measure it purports to promote
They would also remind him that in seeking
city reform they do not desire simply to trans
fer municipal jobbery from one faction
or "ring" to another faction or "ring," or TO
take the piers and wharves or any other city
property out Of the control Of corrupt oflcials
only TO hand them over 70 lobby spsculators
and monopolists. ~ a As &
The resolution also oontsmplAtes an invest
CATION into the manner Of conducting The
criminal business IN the New York courts.
This alone would be an occupation for the