The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-06


owe allegiance. This feeling on the part OF the
superior officers soon infuses Itself among the
sabordlnates The result Is that the govern
than a temperate and Responsible exercise OF
authority II this were otherwise, and the
people were not taxed and governed without
any right OF redress, every dollar paid for taxation
would draw with 1t direct responsibility, and every
officer would feel himself at all times on trial FOR his
public acts. No party could long maintain local
ascendency which did not nominate the best men
for Office and did not BY economy and good govern
ment make their control OF affairs consistent Win
the interests Of the people.
These considerations are applicable not alone to
a IL % %ca BEEN
the operation OF laws establishing district Commits
s0ns.
sage TO give decided expression TO my opinion that
no good government can be secured TO any great
whom snail be vested all executive power, and TO
whom, as the elected representative OF the people,
all departments charged with executive duties snail
able.
II with this as the fundamental idea plan shall
within city q just representation In its councils
SHALL doubtless, secure better results In munich
pal government than have ever before been attained.
respectfully call the attention OF the Legislature
to another subject IN which the people OF tue city OF
New YORK have and feel deep interest. The COM
mercia needs OF the metropolis demand that there
should be some speedy and wise legislation with
reference TO its wharves and piers They should be
constru ted alter the best plan for making them
should be commenced as soon as possible.
The question OF probable cost Is OF but little linz
p0rance. The City can well afford to pay whatever
may be necessary to perfect the work; when COM
pleted it would, by the aid OF proper legislation In
relation 70 wharfage yield Q revenue Sufficient to
pay the interest on the expenditure and to create
sinking fund for the speedy extingulshment OF the
debt incurred In the construction 1t is not neces-
sary that should commit myself to any particular
form OF legislation for the accomplishment Of this
suit, but would respectfully recommend, by way
Of suggestion, that II 1t should be deemed impossible
n ma q Ia
Mayor OF the city Of New York be authorized to APP
point board, with authority to examine the whole
consideration plan OF the proposed work. with an
estimate OF Its probable cost and such suggestions
with reference thereto as they may deem proper.
THE EXCISE Law IN THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT.
The Excise law which Is In force throughout the
Metropolitan District, excepting only IN the county
from its Operatlonh violates principles involving
rights Of individuals and communities. 1t confers
upon the Excise Board created By the LeSslasu r
in the district extraordinary and arbitrary powers
and contains. In my Judgment, many harsh and un.
were to diminish the amount OF ntemperance and 10
lessen the consumption Of Intoxicating liquors,
these objects have not been attained. AT the same
time, this law has been executed ana enforced in
an arbitrary, despotic and Incorporate manner.
and in spirit which has created great dis
satisfaction even among many who were its
original supporters; while large numbers OF
SOBER temperate, industrious and law-abding citi-
zeas feel that they are oppressed Ds us generous ex
than do the evils Of intemperance but they are
not local, are not confined to any section or district,
and II they can be checked or modified by legisla-
ton the remedy can only be secured by the opera
ton OF general laws. There Is no reason, In my
Metropolitan District should be subjected to an ex-
else law different from that applied 70 other parts OF
the state. All such laws should be universal IN ap-
pcation and should have for their object not tho
enforcement Of extreme and arbitrary views but the
announcement Of good habits and the preserve
Won prcas r Sos
because 1t does 80 and because 1t Is administered
narshly BY partisan officers therefore recommend a
whole State, to be administered whether in coun-
ties or in cities, by the legally constituted local
them. such Flaw would command universal respect
and general obedience.
Every means should be adopted by which the elect
ors may have secured to them freedom from intiml-
dalton or corrupt influences IN the exercise OF the
elective franchse-the highest privilege OF citizen.
1t cannot be denied that wealth. by Its lavish ex-
penditure to control elections, Is fast becoming
more influential than abilities and public service
to OBTAIN political power ana 0f1cIal station. 1t
Is not unusual to hear the claims OF public men as
serted In proportion to the pecunary contributions
which they make to party funds IN amounts which
obviously cannot be required or used Tor the egit
mate purposes Of an election. 1t Is one OF the start
ling evils Of the times that nominations TO important
offices are sought by and given TO men Of vast
wealth, not because Of their capacity and quatca-
accomplish success. The dangers arising and to be
apprehended from this condition OF things are mani
fold. officials are taught that money, however &C
quired, Is the passport to office and authority;
electors are corrupted and power Is built up
fouaded on the possession OF riches and their
ghts and Liberties cr the people and the desrnc
ton OF the principles OF our government As one
result OF this growing tendency OF moneyed innu-
ences to assert an exclusveneSs OF class, and SUI
perior domination, sectional and class legislation
mas been adopted OF late years control, in
gard to suffrage, large communities by special laws
not applicable TO other parts OF the state. Before
the law all men are equal, and never more so than
when in the performance OF their right and duty or
voting to sustain principles and 10 elect their repre-
sentafives Laws TO provide equations ana reslrc
tions in regard to elections should apply TO all clt
and TO al sections alike. The laws to preserve
the purity the ballot box and to prevent the
rupt use OF money in elections should be general,
stringent, and vigorously enforced. In my Judgment
there should be one registry law for the whole
state, imposing equal conditions and restrictions
everywhere, aud II should be the aim thereof To Sc
TO every citizen his right OF suffrage, Tree from
intimidation, corruption or onerous exactions;
while the corrupt use OF money In elections should
be severely punished and every guarantee estab-
lished by which Illegal voting may be prevented.
FEDERAL GENERALIZATION.
In this connection 1t may notbe improper to allude
to the TACT that there Is manifest disposition In
some quarters TO encourage movement TO vest In
Congress the control and regulation Of suffrage In all
the states This b another step N the direction Of
power to control elections-whch would enable
dangerous and INSCRIPTIONS men, who might
obtain possession OF the national administration, to
hold IL Indefinitely even against The real Will Of the
people. IL Is very certain that purity OF elections In
states cannot DC secured Dy THANKSGIVING the utfeC-
ton or control OF them TO the authorities ut WASH
ngton. There can be no purity in the general gov
eminent unless 1t exists first In the states and in
the people, The founders Of our government never
contemplated the Interference OF Congress In this
matter Tney expressly guarded against II.
by the federal constitution sthe times, places and
mannerr OF holding elections for senators and
Representatives required to be prescribed In each
State by tire Legislature thereof; but It Is provided
that Congress may at any time make or after such
regulations except a. to the places OF choosing sena
tors. This authority TO- prescribe regulations a.
to 1.-THE time, places and manner" OF holding cleo
lions was contested at the adoption Of the consttu
ton as vesting In Congress too great power which
might be exercised so as to defeat the Just rights OF
the states to representation; but was argued that
It was power which never was intended to Dc, and
probably never would be, employed, except when
the states might attempt to break up the govern
ment by not sending representatives, and then only
for national seifpreservation But the question OF
suffrage was wisely put beyond the control Of Con-
gress, and 1t was provided that 1.-THE electors In
each State shall have the qualification requisite
for electors Of the most numerous branch OF
the state legislature" This settlement OF the
~ Had saaa fn-