The New York herald., 1871-10-30

letter TO the Chairman OF the Democratic Reform
Club OF the Nineteenth Assembly district, declining
nomination for the Assembly rendered to him in
that district.
Mr.. 0COnOr's Letter.
To LOUIS A. RoDEN STEIN, ESD, Chairman, &c.:-
My DEAR SIR-The atroclous frauds now attract
ing universal notice were committed during the
control OF four persons over our local adminlstra-
tion The nature and measure OF their guilt may,
indeed greatly vary in moral point OF
view; but, nevertheless, those three OF
them who are still in possession Of power
are acting in perfect concert for mutual
protecticn. They have evidently no scruple about
means, and they are capable of accomplishing, by
united effort nearly all the mischief attainable by
the four, had their union renamed unbroken. One
or these three the g and Sacnem OF Tammany, has
been rightly enough denominated by his friends
their Cher. The cant or classic designation OF
"Boss" Caesar is applied to him indiffcrently,
according to the taste OF the speaker and each ap
proprlatey; for his bad preeminence is indisputa-
BILE. Since the
SECRET ABSTRACTION OF THE VOUCHERS
by which the precise details OF the frauds CON-
mitted might have been easily developed no honest
and intelligent citizen has doubted the guilt Of this
leader. Whether manifest proof could be brought
home to him may have hitherto been a matter Of
speculation with some; but, In my Judgment, the
last lingering doubt on this point must now be re-
moved from every fair mind The recent develop
ments made in connection with the regular acts and
accounts of the Comptroller's office and the Broad
way Bank, in which the public moneys were de-
posted, must nave had this effect.
The statutes which gave to this body Of men lis
vast powers were procured from Legislatures IN
which their chief sat as a law maker 1t Is boasted
by some as proof OF his cleverness, Indignantly
asserted by others as manifesting his wickedness,
and conceded by ALL that these statutes mainly
procured by brlbing our State legislators with
moneys rlled from The public Treasury. The pre-
else cost Of vote IN the horrible shambles where
they were thus purchased is almost as well known
as the prices current Of merchandise One Sena.
tors vote was Of course valuable the votes OF
four Assemblymen. In the race OF these
UNDENIABLE AND PUBLICLY NOTORIOUS FACTS,
the chief before alluded to, with On audacty abs0
lutely more impressive than his precedent crimes,
has presented himself candidate for Senator from
the First city district, his name appearing at the
head and front of the local ticket put In nomination
by the triumvirate. And we are assured by their
friends that upon the canvass he will appear to have
received greater maj ority than ever mas at any
former period ushered him into the sacred seat
Of Senator. Bey ond any doubt the intent ana
the power to realize this prophecy do both exist.
For many, not all OF the other legislative districts
OF the city adherents OF this chief less
rous as suca, have been Will be put in domination
with like intent on the part oil the cOrrnpti0nlsts
and IN many instances with equal power and facility
The legislative department Of commonwealth is
its motive power Its operation is like that or the
vital current IN strong mans velns 1t represents
the impulses Of the sovereign people;
corrupt majority In our Legislature possesses
vastly more power than the English Parliament.
Few feeble and utterly inefficient against ROBBERY Of
the public treasure are the restraints Of our unda-
mental law such majority can render practi-
caly powerlcss the Judiciary and the Executive.
ulupuce
our present constitution. Fewer votes are required
to overcome veto than to adopt law on it's
these our local governors. Every statute that o
perverted ingenuity acting 10 the interests OF In
within the 43oO pages OF legislation mainly vicious
or useless, issued at the last two sessions.
II these men can continue to control our State
Legislature their domination must remain un-
brdled, ana i'll an amazingly short space OF time
every square loot OF land IN the city VIII 0e
MoRTGAGED TO PUBLIC CREDITORS
pretty nearly II not quite to its fun vaiue, for
moneys raised on the public credit by our officials
and mainly applied to the uses OF themselves and
their retaners.
on the oiner hand, H., for even a single year, q
majority of incorruptble men could be elected to
the Legislature eGectual measures OF reeI might
be Initiated. Such beginning would be the Dawn
OF hope for city and Tor the cherished nstitu
tiOns OF our republic. The period IL uncommonly
favorable to union OIL all good men ior this
The ofices to be filled on the State ticket at this
time not Of vital Importance. the judicial elec
tons in this city, whatever might be their result
dical courts. ineN are adequately Oflcered inde-
pendently or those Judges now to De chosen. Other
local offices are only oil ppcunlary concern and that
in a degree quite insignificant when compared with
the great pubic interests which are at stake. One
Senator IN Congress IS the only political otce which
and upon that 1t can nave but slight influence.
The state Senators about to be elected will, in
deed, have vote upon IL; put they are few IN num-
Der, and any party majority existing In their body
Is always submerged In the greatly more numerous
vote OF the lower House. Those who are not ready
SACRIFICE PUBLIC INTERESTS
at the shrine OF individual ambition will not In the
present connection overlook the fact that no po-
lical or party interest OF general nature can be
Affected by our next election for United states Sena-
tor Between the relative numbers ranged under
the respective banners OF the opposing political par
ties in the United states senate the difference is ex
treme. One added to or subtracted from either
ton would be an event Of the most trivial conse.
quence.
honest fellow cirizens tnroughout the State ought
certainly to lay ASIDE all party interests ana afillia
tons, "all businesses and excuses" and with pa
trlotlc sngeness OF purpose, devote themselves at
the ensuing election to the choice or
SOUND LAw-GIvERs
as the only peaceful remedy ior existing or impend-
In districts where the republican party have de-
cded majority If a questionable candidate belong
ing to that parry should be put IN nomination, the
honest democrats OF the district should decline to
bowen. poa'' they '' should tender their amdlvided
support TO any honest republican candidate:
These same views should be applied , and
dCVcu ou Coufcisoy ia "iS".g aoiuo
Cratic. Thus wnen a candidate or doubt
ful character presented he would generally
find respectable opponent supported by all good
men In the district, without regard TO any variance
their political sentiments One pubic TACT affords
to a certain extent convenient guide In the choice
OF candidates. The plan OF local government en- |
bodied III the acts which constitute what Is Gained
the present New ork City Charter does not con- |
form TO sound political principles -, III all Its lead
ing features, manllesty repugnant to the views
proIessed by eaca OF the great parties and mas been
found most pernicous in practice. IL should be re-
garded as a sufficient OBJ ection to any candidate |
that he gave vote In 1870 or 1871 1avoring that
legislation. Meniiesty
SUCH PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE ELECTED
to In body instructed to repeal 1t. The pro-