The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-01
DESIGNS OF THE DEMOCRACY.

The Croton B0ard-WiIl the Democracy Drown
Hs-A Neglected Piacer-The Fire Depart.
ment-Will 1t be ExtinGuisheds
The designs OF the democracy are, by their own
showing, of such extensive character that in the
aggregate they fairly 0verwhem the ordinary demo.
cratic mind. New York city, In q municipal sense.
is to be turned topsy turvy. the whole machinery OF
local government under which q million OF happy
inhabitants flourish get fat, is to be 30 over
hauled that nobody VIII recognize the originals,
and everything over which the State or
city has any control Is to be Knocked
into another shape. There is to be general
housekeeping from the sub-cear to the attlc and
setting out Of the furniture for the countrys admira
ton in the big struggle Of 1872 The tax levy is to
be reduced-on paper. The grandest schemes Of In
ternal Improvement will be broacned, and New York,
under the shrewd management OF its Hofrmans,
Halls and Sweenys, taking the van and nnging out
the banner OF progress, will bring the other good
democratic States into line aud march Oh to victory
and the White House. When this consummatiOn
efrecte1 It is needless TO say the demo-
cratic rty VIII make the country once
more erful, prosperous and contented.
Locally, uyourse, there Is vast deal OF specula-
ton as 10 what might be the extent and limit OF the
patronage now In the hands OF the Governor and
Legislature OF the State. The commissions in this
city are not overlooked In the calculations. Every
republican ofceholder IN the metropolis not In the
United States service is already marx ed out for the
fatal axe, and one 10 six good ana true democrats
are consoling themselves with the nope OF being
asked to fill his place. OF course there are many
among the Of oiice-holders whose politics
never clearly defined, ana TOOK chameleon-like, the
complexion OF whatever party ruled the roast,
who Will stay in and draw their salaries OF yore;
but there Ii no denying the fact that New York
never contained so many hungry democratic ONCE
seekers as 1t does now; and the ciamor which the
united crowd Will raise, 1Tst at Albany ana then
down here, will be something perfectly appalling.
should the Mayor OF this city set the power back
sn Of s 10 wan aS @e
own friends wherever there Is room TO put
them, and II there be no room make them
aluent and happy with easy and profitable
sinecures. Tne Croton Board Ia looked upon
In many wards OF this city AZ all institution where
somewhat smart man with an easy conscience can
make fortune in few years. The Croton Board,
every body knows, has the work OF paving streets
aud laying pipes and drains. In putting down forty
heavy contracts are gwen out anu quite o host OF
laborcrs employed Then there IL the paving OF
upon scores OF side streets. one day 1t il trapb
pavement; another day Niccson or concrete, or
asphaltum or some oqtianuish patent pavement that
would like TO see put down in some street place
where the owners OF property are Wen or aud can
afford heavy assessment. Then the Croton Board
ITSELF In Its own proper sphere. employs good
many persons anu Yields no uncomfortable patron
cratic and within the charmed circle, commonly
called the City all ring 10 would be regular old
fashioned placer, power IN politics, and a. FAR
reaching la influence as the water II controls.
There are thrce commissioner Stephens,
Darragh and Green. MSssrs. Darragh and Greene are
republicans. Mr.. Greene IL also engineer OF the
Board--an arrangement which. though sanctioned by
time and custom, IL evidently wrong. The engineer
shOnld certainly be no moro than offlccr of the
Board, for II no be member he sits In Judgment on
hts own acts and Ignores the responsibility properly
attaching TO his ONCE. The democrats have chance
OF making reform here. Mr.. Craven, when engi-
neer, was also member OF the Board for quito .
number OF years, but tae efeot OF his holding the
position OF member was 10 seal the lips cf bis col
leagues wnen they might feel impelled tn pass Judg-
ment on his acts or even to suggest certain obvious
improvements MI Darragh, who has been N the