Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-13

pared and arranged under the direction
of Mr.. E. Steiger of New York city.
Especial Correspon dence of the Herald
Letter from New York.
New YORK, Feb. 8, 1878.
The reform movement which began in
this city year ago last autumn is still
far from being complete. So long had
corrupt rings borne sway, that the work
of reform has been beset with great and
complicated difficulties. Last year it
was supposed that the Tweed charter,
under which corruption had arisen to
such dangerous power, would be sup
planted by a new one, founded on re-
form. But representatives who had
been elected as reformers failed in their
duty. A State Senator who had been
enriched by Tweed's brides was allowed
to keep his seat. 1t was urged that a
change was necessary, not in the char
ter, but in men. So Mayor Hall was
allowed to remain until the election of a
new Mayor. 1t is true that he was tried,
but the jury disagreed. Tweed, after
inexcusable delays, has just been tried.
The jury in this case also disagreed, thus
cheating justice of her dues. The times,
in the light of corrupt courts and juries,
and too lax state of public opinion,
seem to teach rogues that they must
steal on mammoth scale, if they wish
to retain their personal liberty. When
man steals by millions he is far less
likely to be punished than when he pill
fers some trife. When corruption is
not confined to municipal spoils, but fas-
tens upon State Legislatures and even
the Congress of the United States, is it
not time for the people to awake to the
gravity and the imminence of the perils
which threaten society and government?
Corruption was one of the chief instru-
mentalities in the overthrow of power
full and naughty Rome, which dominated
the world for centuries If we would
preserve our liberties the honest people
must arise in their might and rebuke
fraud, and exact faith and strict integ-
rity in all their servants, legislative, eX-
ecutiye and judicial.
A new charter is before the present
Legislature.
The new Mayor, Havemeyer, still
pronounced Democrat, although elected
as Reformer by Republican votes, has
Independent ideas of his own, and claims
that any ''ring" Is dangerous, whether
Tammany or Republican. 1t is difficult
to predict what will be the issue. We
can only hope that the right measures
will be instituted under the guidance of
the right men.
In the administration of Justice we
have made a great gain. Barnard, Car
doza and McCunn have given place to
Davis, Barrett and Van Worst. The new
District Attorney, Phelps, seems deter
mined that indictments against noted
criminals shall not sleep in pigeon holes.
A bloody era of murder and assassina-
ton is upon Us. So bold and reckless
has the spirit of murder become, that all
peaceahle citizens recognize the inseCu-
rity of life and the necessity of a vigor
Gus administration of justice. The I'M
expected verdict against Stokes, the as
sassin of Fisk, has been a surprise, as
hopeful for the public welfare, as it is
startling to the rich criminal. Foster,
the Car-hOOk murderer, after tedious de
lays, has been sentenced. With the laws
fairly and fearlessly administered, life
and property may once more be reason
ably secure in New York
More snow has fallen in this city the
present winter than for several years.
The streets have thereby been greatly
DISTRACTED, and business has been scri-
ously hindered 1t is hoped that bust
ness generally will be better in the spring.
1t is said that many farmers still hold
their crops because prices are not salts
factory.
1t augurs well for progress in culture
and science in the metropolis that the
lecture halls are being more and more /
crowded. BY the admirable lectures of |
Prof. Tyndall on Light" and by Prof. |
Charles A. Young of Dartmouth, on the /
"SpectroscOpe and the Sun" topics, usu- |
ally considered abstruse ADD unintercSt- !
ing, have been popularized, and have Civ !
en- pleasure and marked interest to large /
and to large circles of read |
ers. Travels, arts, biography, history
and philosophy, have able opponents up
on the platform. 1t is favorable omen
that mere worship is losing its hold
upon the masses. A lecturer cannot fill
a hall by the mere celebriety of his name.
His lectures must possess marked excel
lencies in matters and treatment, in ORR
ginality of thought, or freshness of wit,
or felicity of style, or, better, all com
bined.
In music, New York, like other large
American cities, only has certain brief
Usually only single italian
Opera company and perhaps one English
Opera company, must suffice for the
whole country. We have had, under the
Maretzek, successful sea-
Kellogg in their principal roles. In the
language of certain Bohemian Gotham
ties, "they are now making a tour of the
provinces !" The new season here will
commence February GATH.
Rubinstein, the marvellous pianist, is
absent also from US, delighting the low
ers of music elsewhere. 1t is hoped that
ere long we may hear him again.
In the drama, both as regards their
moral tone and the excellence of presen-
tation, there is a marked improvement.
At Booths, under Mr.. Magonigle's man
agement, Mr.. Booth has been playing
Richard, BrGtus and Benedick, in ''Mucn
Ado About Nothing to full and delight
ed audiences. Mr.. Florence is now fill
ing a successful engagement
The Union Square Theatre, under Mr..
Palmer's management, is crowded. For
one hundred successive nights Miss
Agnes Ethel filled it in agnes" This
was succeeded by other popular dramas,
Zone Hundred Years Old" being the
present attraction. WEIRD MONT,
Our Boston letter.