New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-13
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.

The Boston AdrertiSer says: The ten dency
OF vice aud crime has always been toward the great cities
Wealth and enterprise have gone TO build them up; but
the undermining Influences have gone there also The
resources which can make them and sometimes do make
them, ms hcnehccut agents Of CIVILIZATION as Dr Elot
painted them in bis anniversary address attract also the
vices Of barbarsm. These too favored by the alb
sorbng nature Of the pursuits Of those who not
vicious nor criminal they flourish In the presence OF that
Indifference TO uQuity which familiarity and the exclu-
sve pursuit Of fortune. certain In the long run to en-
,rie,cc ~ Ne York have given II peculiar cx-
pnsurc this respect All winds have blown SHIPS 10 ts
nort Every Kind OF traffic which the growth OK tie
sructed current there 10 IT, and must Tor many years
continue to be, the great depot for trade,
nations. hut between the different sections OF
oui VNn i'' ~, ,' - 81 ,,e,'cr, 80 its
Affairs not Ia the hands OF tho powerful middle class
which sustans the wonderful lie aud energy az that
metropolis but Of professional gnme>ers n politics who
have scrupcs about using the scdmentary population
which settles wherever the emigrant ships happen TO
leave IT, The census OF showed that there were IN
city 1900 forcgnborn voters and only about 5OVO
native The Last registration Indicated tat uls
proportion would be nearer ioO000 10 6oO. or this
number the lalger part affiliate politically WIN those
munity; aud supply the mass Of political strength when
enables the ring 20 WELD power greater IN Us PaSe
can the course or justice without hefOuha-
bily TO any power superior 10 It's own.
No American city could be so governed No American
community would tolerate for Single season the mlsrue
which shelters itself In every department there. 10 IS un
like any thing belonging To the republican system and re-
dres remedies which could be applied 10 Amer
ican even to a moderately Amercauized community.
Good influences are wanting but they IN the mi
nOfy IL In vain that citizens associations attempt 10
put restraint upon the systematic awlessness which
tho rug" Is organlled to proliQkG II T. N VAN that
able and minded journals threaten and appeal The
mischief goes on and the combination grows more and
beyond control 10 II not surprising that with such
burden upon her the peculiar influence OF New-lork
should be commercial only IL Is not only In the cOunses
Of the nation that city she takes subordinate place,
In thOuI and literature OF the country and
all and useful reforms The union of the two social
extremes in population neither of them tempered
subdued by the sturdy middle element. which gives the
best character 10 all institutions and 20 all sociey has
been fatal TO anything like positive ana lasting Influence
1t is interesting question whether the abuse OF
the franchise aud OF judicial authority at the late cleo
ton will not lead 70 stringent legislation at Albany,
both for the credit OF the State aud the decent Rduns
tratiOn OF justice the city. IL would not meet the dill
Guilty 10 make general change I'm the naturalization
laws the changes suggested could be- justified on
other grounds The exclusion OF such have not reached
required educational standard would affect those
who already voters and would not restrain the edu
Gated scoundrels who make the mischief by viola
ton Of law. and would only have larger field for
else II the laws changed. Give her government
strong enough 10 enforce the laws they and make
the courts less dependent the people who may be
brought before he and there would be no occasion 10
keep tho right OF suffrage from any citizen who desired H.