New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-09-02
OUR CITY.

| morality, and public spirit, or 80 many people
who lead orderly lives and follow reputable
callnes, nor at all times, 80 many agencies
for the instruction and refinement OF its
nopulation, together with ample means and
| anpliances to maintain and operate them, as
that whereon stands the City of New
York. The executive, legislative, and magis-
terial authorities of the City are elective,
and in theory are the choice of lis vast aggre-
cation of virtue knowledge, and wealth; and
still its municipal administration is corrupt
and rapacious beyond all precedent, through
out every department. The public fund, OF
which these chosen authorities are trustees, Is
plundered and perverted. Lots, AID even blocks,
of the real estate of the corporation are added
without consideration to the patrimony OF st.
| Peter, an alien potentate, and the money OF
its treasury is granted literally in the same
| direction while sort of equilibrium In re-
spect to a native saint, st. Tammany, the only
other to which any tribute whatever is offered
by this great cOnfraternity of rogues, Is at
| tempted by concessions to its priesthood OF
wharves, piers, markets, and what not, all the
! property of the same owner. Private estates
| fare no better than public property. by means
| of ingenious processes of taxation and assess
ment private citizens are made to yield, an
| nualy larger sums than would have pur-
| chased the exemption of a city from siege
| during the middle ages Enormous sums are
extOrted for the prOfessed purpose of cleaning
the streets; yet most of them are filthy to
degree which threatens the public health.
Nor are they safe otherwise even by day.
and at night they are traversed only at the
peril of assault and robbery. The daily record
of crime is appalling. Offenses against property
are rife enough to show the vastness of the
wealth there is to be plundered, but there are
also Astounding evidences of the universal
presence of that mere fearful depravity
which finds its qualification in crimes against
the person. The burglar OF highwayman no
longer hesitates to add murder to his crime
upon the slightest temptation OF revocation.
Murder, assassination, robbery, an riot, are
of everyday occurrence, and if, by any chance
the perpetrators are brought to trial, convic-
ton seldom follows, and punishment even
more rarely. Men are elected and reelected
judges, whose untitness no one doubts, and
whose depravity no one can deny. Juries may
be drawn to order, and the most Infamous of
rogues is likely to be tried by his peers
Elections, on whose purity and fair
ness, more than anything else, the safety
| OF our lnStlJullOUs utpeiluS, nave COlHt W Dc
mere FORMS LOng-cOntinued impunity in the
casting Of fraudulent votes has begOtten
confidence that dares to simplify and econo-
mize even the form, and boldly strike for its
end by an affected counting of votes which
were never cast The vital interest Educa-
tion is committed to the care Of ignorance,
and, of course, incompetence. Its most I'M
porant functions are controlled by such as
need its precious endowments even more than
the pupils of the schools they msmanage
Now, will it be pretended that the intelli-
gence aforesaid voted for so much ignorance 7
all that virtue for so much vice all that
pr0bity and wealth for so much rapacityf Or,
can 1t be said that they voted against them 7
What are the probabilities that, largely, they
did not vote at ALL And what would be the
condition of this organized iniquity if that
vast mass OF social and political power had
thrown its weight against ita
Every day, as the hour approaches when the
doors of the Banks are closed, an exodus from
the City begins, increasing in volume as the
shadows lengthen, and hardly ceasing with
nghtfall. Every outlet from the City is
| thronged; every conveyance is filled to over
flowing; and increased facilities for outgoing
are prayed and sighed for by the crowded
fugltlyes Such an increase of such population
az daily besses aud strengthens Westminster,
New -Jersey, Long Island Staten Island, and
even connecticut, is not enjoyed anywhere
else. But 1t is all at the cost and peril of the
City OF New-YOrk. Much of the most useful
ana necessary social elements departs with
TINS host, but such as it would be the better
for being without steadfastly abides. No
prohlgate who cOvets reveing, no thief who
wants to steal, no ruffian who affects brawls,
is absent from the City at night. Why, then,
should it's nights not be hideousf How much
longer can it afford to decant 80 much of its
best population into the neighboring districts.
retaining closely the while the dregs
1t is not to be questioned that MANY seek
suburban residence to gratify tastes NOT to he
satisfied IN town, and many limit their exile to
the heated term of the year. Still, multitudes
are dfiVeh without by high rents and excessive
taxes; oo,h, mainly, results of civic misgovern-
ment. Can it be doubted that the moral at
mosphere of the City would be changed. if the
ih'eiligehce' moral worth, and pecuniary ability,
WINCH now merely lunch here also lodged here |
And' more than all, if it voted here Secure |
ID one aspect in suburban retreats, the City is |
iei' 10 Hseif by decency which has fled its
ribaidry' timidity its violence, and wealth it's
taxes.
IL is time that Absenteeism, as now prac-
uced mere should seriously inquire whether it
IL not 10 some extent responsible for the state
OF ahairs II 30 much breads. Flight is Of sill
things the least of remedy for the evils that
threaten, but as an encouragement to evil-doers
II isnot TO be surpassed. Lawlessness and crime
desire nothing 80 much as to be let alone. II
Aosentee'sm would but stay and oppose az