The New York herald., 1875-12-29

general tnrougnout rne state. Tnere example
hhy-one separate laws relating especially 20 Brooklyn
falo sixteen relating 10 Albany and twenty
lating 10 Rochester. Within the lifetime OF middle
aged men the proportion or annual laws relating 10
cities and villages passed Albany has from
than onetweth to than one-ourth all the laws
enacted Even when Ia 1870 the Legislature attempted
70 make general law for villages defective
anu has Oeen so hastily dealt with that II Is almost
buried "a amendments IL was amended four separate
times last winter
tits some consolation TO know that at last public
attention became 50 aroused to peril from munci-
pal abuses that commission ordered by the last
Legislature 70 Investigate the subject Of city govern
menL
Al a late day that commission was filed and useful
suggestions may be expected from the able placed
upon ~ they nave adequate time for their work; but
much more than mere investigation and suggestions
are needed. Relief from our municipal abuses in.
wolves an enduring contest between the higher and the
lower elements In city lie. And when the facts Of our
condition mastered and the experience or better
governed cities in other countries has been studied
there will remain the problem Of wisely organizing mu-
nicpal authority
- HARMONY WITH ouR INSTITUTIONS.
This will require years Of experience and constructive
ability of the highest order ola habits and methods In
terests and the false theories which the
many Of our evils have an enduring vitality. The thou
sands who thrive on official corruption will make a
long and skliul resistance. II only by pers steut
and courageous efforts that abuses after another
can be removed aud il IL only through constant DIS
and better comprehension Of the Of
false methods that the majority be made FIRST to
aud then follow some better way. The most we
can reasonably expect ls-if faithful TO principles
and fairly supported by those having common
interest in good govcrnment-that honest citi-
zens may be encouraged, that the influences
for good may be concentrated and made stronger,
that benehcent measures Of reform, one after
another, may be carried, and that no inconsderabe
contributions may be made to that higher popular in
telligence on political subjects which Is the sole
guarantee of republican institutions. And whatever
Tor good may be accomplished will be for the common
benefit We shall rely upon the aid and sympathy OF all
good citizens Our plan for work or public usefulness
Is but one Of the many ways IN which good influences
may be combined and strengthened, aud We shall be
ready TO cooperate with all fellow workers the same
great field Of REFORM
FEW THouGHrPrL MEN
will fail to appreciate that the problem and peril OF
good government IN New York city is the problem
extent of all the cities and villages OF the land In
Brooklyn, in Jersey City, in Baltimore in
Washington-in short, or less everywhere
the cities first exhibit and most develop the ele-
ments of danger TO Institutions; and it is evident
that, II we cannot govern cities better, long
govern them at ALL and as they 60 down they Will carry
the nation with them Hence the question OF good city
government should be regarded as great national
question But here at our doors-where blessed
with provdental advantages which have thus far en-
riched with nations eommerce-in this great me-
tropolitan city whose morals, vices, crimes, journals
and fashions even are potent example and inspira-
ton foI good or for evil the whole Union is our
first and paramount duty and IL is not less the inter
est than the duty ofits citizens far they may
take that New York city be well governed and OF
good repute an honor aud not peril republican in
stitutions. DoRMAN B. EATON President
ROBERT VI. STREBEGH, Secretary.