The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-09-22

York;
For several weeks past our citizens hav
been beating about on turbulent sea of polti
cal excitement. 1t ia time they should tax,
bearings and ascertain in what direction the,
are drifting. 1t is notorious that prior to the
passage of the present charter the municipal
| government Of New York had become mixed
mass OF corruption, responsibility and inef
cheney The republican State Legislature
at one time eager to secure some share in the
rich spoils from which they were debarred by
the popular vote, and at another bought up
by democratic politicians-had gone on tin
kering at our municipal laws and tampering
with the rights of the people until they had
delivered us over to the tender mercies of
half a score of Independent, greedy metropoli-
tan commissions each plundering on Its own
account and of as many boards and depart
ments nominally elected by the people, but
really free from all accountability, and at lib
erty to rob the public treasury without let
| or hindrance. Under this state OF affairs the
New Court House job, which would have been
impossible under strong responsible govern
ment, was successfully carried out and hun
dreds of equally scandalous schemes were
concocted to plumber the people. The new
charter was passed to put an end to these
tiagrant evils, and it has certainly proved
vast Improvement on the old system. The
Board OF Education, which was formerly a
refuge for such ward politicians as failed to
get nominations for Aldermen or Assistant
Aldermen, and was notorious for its immoral
ity, ignorance and dishonesty, is now COM
posed Of educated, intelligent honorable men,
who are rapidly gaining for our public schools
reputation they have never before enjoyed
The docks, which have so long been dis
grace to a great commercial metropolis, are
now placed under system of improvement
which, if not interfered with, will in
few years render the port of New
York famous among nations and add
vastly to the wealth and importance of the
city. The parks and boulevards, although
probably the best managed of our public
works under the old system, are now under
going the most vigorous development the city
has ever seen, and their progress under tn
new management has been really marvellous.
The Tax Department, which was formerly
given over to anarchy and confusion, is now
administered with acknowledged efficiency and
| uprightness The Police Department has felt
| the beneficial effect of responsible and united
government and the force is now as near per-
lection as force can be. The bravery of the
men was shown in the scandaous riot of the
18th of July, bringing the efforts of the mill
tary into ridicule by comparison, and sa wing
the city from most deplorable results The
Health Department, whose ineffciency under
the old system is matter of laughable noto-
riety is developing its efficiency in a splendid
manner, and has already proved its value -
the city in dangerous crisis. The Croton
Water Department, one of the most important
in the city, and concerning the fate of which
much apprehension was felt, is model of
good management under Chief Engineer
Tracey. The reservoirs are full to the brim
and there is now no thought of the danger of
ID water famine. The Fire Department
FEW ycaIs e -------'
peaceable citizens-now boasts an admirably
disciplined and efficient force, and insurance
stock is one of the best securities IN the city.
All this praise can be honestly and fairly
bestowed upon the new charter, and this was
in truth the condition of affairs when the So
called reform excitement began. 1t took its
origin in the fact that exorbitant, and, no
doubt, grossly fraudulent bills contracted
under the old order of things-the mixed re-
publican commissions and irresponsible cleo.
tive departments-had been audited and paid
by officers still in positions of trust
under the new charter. 1t was natu-
raj and proper that the people
should feel indignant at the discovery
that several millions of their money had been
squandered upon a set of political favorites
and that they should doubt the honesty of
those public officers who had secured
the payment of the excessive accounts
and who had suddenly risen from compare
tive poverty to the position of million
naires. The citizens demanded an explanation
from the city government and the detection
and punishment of any official who might be
found to have been implicated in the robbery
of the Treasury. One of their number, in his
capacity as taxpayer, brought the matter
before judicial tribunal in an application for
an injunction to restrain the city government
from raising any more money, in order to try
the question of the criminality of the heads of
the city departments. This was legal course
to pursue. and the result proved that the
Courts could be relied upon to do justice to the
people. But the politicians took ad-
vantage of the excitement and set to
work to turn it to their own account.
An unwieldy committee was raised to take the
conduct of an investigation, and it was COM
posed mainly Of highly respectable citizens;
but behind it stood ward politicians and part-
san organizations, prompting its work and
ready to pull the wires and control its action
at their will. The object of these men was,
| L. raro m ro;t I, Il