New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-09-05

ERNMENT FROM PARTY RULE.
Indeed the spectacle offered by the Roman soldiers,
in railing at the foot of the for the clothes OF
the Savior, can have bean hardly more ,shocking
than this new attempt to make the misfortunee OF
New York the basis Of new political bargains. But
it has been, and will it be- a. long as we permit
our municipal affairs to be influenced by party
potics-as long as we do not emancipate the admin
istration Of our municipal government from the
but good 1T is true that the feasibility Of carrying
il into practical effect has frequently been denied
But do not concede the correctness OF that denia
never has been more favorable opportunity for the
realization Of this constant desire on the part Of the
citizens of New Ork-the correctness OF which in
theory is universally neutrality-suspicious. now offers
itself
The excitement caused by the discovery in regard
to the corrupt management of our city affairs is as
deep as it is widely spread Members of both po-
ltcal parties inside and outside of the city, in
the greatest indignation, and resolved to remedy
the mischief at any price, in an effective manner.
Now il the members of both parties, together with
the city press, who really intend to abolish fraud
and corruption in our City Government, would de-
clare plainly and Enthusiastically to the party State
conventions ready TO meet In the next future that
they will consider all Understanding phrases against
corruption, and all sorts of fine and flowing prom:
Uses OF honesty and frugality, mere clap-trap and
vain humbug, and that they can only become con-
WINGED of the sincere intention of the parties to
secure for the City of New-York an honest and
economical administration; if their State conyen-
branches of the Legislature to be elected next all
are distinctly pledged to authorize our citizens to
design and adopt charter that will contain all the
safeguards against the occurrence of the abuses
under which our city has suffered for many years,
then have no doubt that both parties II not
through of justice, at least through self-in-
terest, could be invited to grant this demand.
Legislature elected under this pledge could imme-
dately after its organization pass an enabling act
lied to elect constitutional convention to draw up
new charter, to be submitted at the general cleo
ton of 1872 to the satisfaction OF the people.
PARTISAN MEASURES OF NO AVAIL
There is no doubt but that with some exertion
and with proper care the election for constitutional
convention, which takes place under the impression
of the necessity to emancipate our city government
from the influences of party politics. would result in
the selection of our most prudent experienced, and
honest citizens who would be equal to the great and
responsible task imposed upon them, and that the
charter PREPARED by them If it contains the neces
yoke, would be recommended by both political par
ties for adoption for if they declined to do it they
give the lie 70 the nd d maze o
the success Of the candidates to be voted for In the
same election.
According to my Judgment this is the most practi-
from the abuses under which we now suffer. ALI
other measures which look only to the removals Of
fitted for the benefit of the other. or one faction
for the benefit Of another, would prove to be
only temporary expedients. That much even Ia not
quite sure for it idle to shut eyes to the fact
that corruption fostered and kept alive by an ire
deemable paper currency and the speculative mania
resulting therefrOm has become national evil, and
such has seized upon the political field as the one
most propitious for its further extension. To en-
deavor therefore to uproot this universal evil by
series of partisan enactments would resemble the
attempt made by Mrs Darlington to beat back the
waves of the ocean with broom. No doubt the
citizens of New-Y0rk, when they, unmolested by
party considerations, assume the administration OF
of from 10 M
influences of the general epidemic, and it will ne
Quire constant vigilance to prevent Its SPREAD put
corruption will at least be prevented from using
party policy its principal ally. and misuses that
may csn if the new charter provides for direct
responsibility be quickly detected and corrected;
and hope nay trust that our citizens posses possess
our community to a position from which we can,
with the same pride as the Roman pronounced his
6 Girls RomGnGs sum-" proclaim, am citizen OF
New-York.
HOW THE PROMISED REFORM WILL BE DEFEATED.
do not know whether this meeting will result In
any permanent reform of the evils of City Gov
| eminent but know it would be deplorable mis-
take if some of you acted in the expectation that the
excitement and the indignation now filling the
hearts of nne-tenths of fellowcitizens cOu be
made of for political party purposes or in favor
of faction of party or to promote the chances OF
any candidate for office.
Already you must be aware of the fact that Demo
crats-and very large majority of the citizens OF
New-YOrk undoubtedly belong to the Democratic
party-who as thoroughly despise corruption as you
do still hesitate, from what believe to be too mar
row view of party obligations, to join heartily in
movement which has for its object the exposure and
punishment of fraud and the prevention Of such re-
occurrences They hesitate because they apprehend
that their activity in this direction might be misun-
derstood and be used to the detrment of principles
which they deem essential to the welfare of our
country. And il you wish to be candid you must
confess that in our political history many have
happened which make such misgiyings appear not
altogether unfounded.
In the course of time questions may arise of the
greatest national importance; at such moment it
would not require great eXertiOns to persuade bon
est Democrats that the corruption in Ncw-l how
ever revolving it may seem at first sight, and under
how many disadvantages the inhabitants of our city
have to suffer from it. is only matter of inferior
importance when compared with the all-overshadow-
ing questions of national politics. This Is unavolda-
BILE If you permit the question of local reform to be
connected with party Vaccinations.
In such q case the present wholesome excitement
would soon die out, every hope of permanent i'm
prOvement Of the sad state of our city affairs would
vanish and you would have to confess that, with all
your ardent protestatiOns against corruption, you
have taken exactly the course to extend and to
strengthen it. need hardly say that these remarks
not intended to cast the slightest suspicion
upon any Of the arrangers of this meeting; | am
fully convinced that the gentlemen who called this
assembaRe were actuated by the most noble motives
and had nothing in view but the interests of our
city, to protect and further which they would shun
nevertheless exist, and thought it proper to call
attention to the breakers, which, if they remain un-
| noticed, will wreck the whole reform movement.
SPEECH OF EX-GOV. sALOMON.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS For the
past few years the opponents of universal suffrage
and democratic institutions have been in the habit
of pointing to the City of New-York as an example
for their assertion that republican institutions
founded upon universal suffrage would prove q
failure in large cities and densely populated coun
tries, while the conscientious adherents of govern
ment "by the people, through the people. and for
the people" could only plead reply that an excep