The New York Herald Newspaper, November 1, 1853, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. Se WHOLE NO. 7612. MORNING EDITION---TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1853. — SS - THE CITY REFORMERS IN COUNCIL. GREAT MEETING AT METROPOLITAN HALL. THE COMMON COUMECIL ‘COMPLIMENTED, Grand Row About the Judges---Daly, Duer and Blunt Voted Down. : fipeeches of Peter Cooper, Judge Vander- pool and Others, &o. &e, &e. At Metropolitan Hoil last evenizg a meeting was held, tn accordance with the following call:— crry RevoRM, ‘orm Committee, appointed st Metropolitan Hall, at meeting on the 7:h of March last, invite their fellow: ieudly to reform to attend a ‘public mooting at tan Hall, lay, the Slat inat., at 734 o'olooke iday be deemed’ expedient with « election. t akesuch Refercuce to the appro ‘Al. persona who desire jection of proper officers with- tm the civy, irrespective of party. are earnestly requested to attend. By order oft .¢ Committes, PETE COOPER, Chairman, The ball was filled to its utmost capacity, and the stage having been recently decorated for Monsieur Jul- lien’s concerts, its appearance was very fine, At a quarter before § o'clock Cartes ©, Norti called the meeting to order, and nominated Peter Cooper as Pre- sident of the meeting. ‘This nomination was ratified, and the following named gentlemen were appointed Vice Pre- sidents:— Vic! PRESIDENTS, William 8. Crosby, Mangle M. Quackenboas, Thomas B Stillman, Moses S. Beech, William Browning, James Boorman, George Griswold, George Bruce, Henry (rionel! Francis Partist, John Harper, Thomas Suffern, Job L. Mason, Richard A Reading, Bernard Bosch, PI Abraham Tarnure, Samuel B. Althouse, A. T, Stewart, John M. Bradburst, William Bloodgood, Robert Nunus, Henry Erben, Horace Greeley, Edgar Ketchum, Joba Ridley, Cornelius Agnew, James Pollock, John T. Johnstone, Lambert Suydam, Jeremiah Terbell, John Cornel John Gillen, Benj. Newhouse, Simeon Baldwin, Jacob Miller, lumber merchant; Daniel D, Wright, hard- ware merchant. William L. Felt Prest. Mercantile Library Association. Benj«min T. Rhodes, John Murphy—nominated by six hondred and fifty men of Morgan iron works. George P. Clark and George Bacon—nominated by the men of tue Allaire works. Alfred 8. Bowen and William S. Colby—nominated by workmen of R. Hoe & Co.’s esta olishment. Daniel Herrick, from Westervelt’s shipyard. Christian Messcher, from Webb’s shipyard. John Morill—nomitated by journeymen carpenters of Gullier’s establishment. John Windt, Lewis Stall, John Wright—nominated by qrorkmen of Hecker’s mills. Gardner Cushman, Charles T. Chickham, W. K. Tho- mas—Novelty works. Cornelius T, Banta—nominated b; Taanc Abrahams and John J wor John I the cartmen, ‘hillips—Empire stone ckens—Globe iron works, ‘SECRETARIES. Robert Graim, H. M. Schiffelia, Henry T. Ingalls, Michael Grasz. The names of the delegates from the Novelty Works Allaire Works, Carmen’s, and other associations of th like nature, were received with applause. Mr. Peter Coorsr, the President, then came forward and said:— Permit me, fellow citizens, to assure you how profoundly sensible | am of the honor you have conferred, and of my entire inability to do do justice to an occasion the present. Our deepest consideration—our united, persevering, and most decided action. It will, gentlemen, be recollected by many present that a former ge yes this place pointed a committee charged with the duty of wing up certaim amendments to the charter of our city, That carefull; duty:has, been performed, and amendment; drawn up ‘were presented, and in substance yy the Legislature of our State. And you ali yw with what an cvernhelming vote these amend- ments vere adopted by the people. Your committeo, after most deliberate examination, were unanimous a the opinion that certain features in the charter of our city presented strong temptatiens to those of feeble vir- tue to use, their power for selfish and personal gain. Your committee endeavored to frame amendments that weuld change tne action and character of our government in this important particular. To do this it was indixponsable that the laws should re- uire a rigid responsibility, and be so framed as to secure \@ great and substantial interests of the people. It be- came manifest to your committee that the charter of our city should be so amended that the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the government should be discon- nected, and that each separate department should be held directly responsible to the people for a faithful discharge of those duties which properly belong to that department. To accomplish these important results, your committee, | after great ion, prepared amendments to the cbarier, separating anc defining the powers and duties of each of the several departments, and also pro viding that the Councilmen of our city should originate all bills for the expenditure of the public money; and that these Councilmen should be elected by a different constituency from that of the Aldermen, and from small districts, where they would be known and held accountable for all money entrusted to their care. These amend ments provided and required that all property and franchises of this city should be sold after proper notice, ublic auction, to the highest responsible bidder; and also, that all work and materials required by’ the wants of the city, shoul be obtained by contracts to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder; and that all auch bids for contracts should be openad, if’ required. in the presence of those persons making those bids. The amendments that have beon secured, also provided for the establishment of an auditing bureau, where all ac- eounts for the payment of money must be properly ex- amined, recorded, and signed, before being paid by the Comptroller. In order to bring abouta complete state of accountability and efficiency in all the departments of the government, and also to prevent hasty and improper legisiatiow, your committee were unanimous in the opinion that it was necessary to strengthen the veto wer of the Mayor, *e as to require two thirds of both Poards to passany lew in opposition to his will. A num. der of other ble laws were secured during the last session of the Eagislature; among these the law vesting the power to select the’ grand jurors in the Mayor, Recorder, and Judge. “Also the law re: quiring ‘proper and necessary qualifications in the officers of the public, and yesting the power to ap- int them for and during good behavior, also in the yor, Recorder and City Judge, and thus removing out of the political field a large ‘portion of those appoint- ments that have tended so powerfully to corrupt the legislation of our city. And yet another law of great im- portance has been secured for th® better collection of all Snpald taxes, assessinents, and Croton water rents, by which law all persons will hereafter be enabled to pay all their unpaid taxes and assessments in one office, and in that office obtain a receipt, guaranteeing agaiast all pre- vious liens for unpaid taxes and assessments, and thereby preventing a large part of the loss and trouble growing ‘ut of the sale of some six thousand pieces of the propert: annually and semi-annually advertised, and much of it fold, producing an amount of entanglement in real estate, belonging to women, children, orp\ans, and others, that is painful to contemplate. These improvements in the charter of our city have been brought about during a short riod of time. The Reform Committee being desirous of do- ing allin their power to call and fix public attention to the importance of a proper selection of men to be offered for election, have continued their organization through the year. The general or central committee appointed a sub-committee of their body, and directed them to go to each of the wards in the city, and there to find, if ponsi- dle, at east two persons who would agree to bring around them associates who would nominate candidates for the municipal government of our city without respect to their present or previous opinions of national or State politics, having entire regard to their fitness and qualid- cations’ for the offices they were to fill. The great work of practical reform is now fairly begun, Shall this work, fellow citizens, be continued? Shall it be continued until the laws restrain abuses of power by electing good, honest, in telligent men, administer the government of our city? The all-important question now claimi our attention is, how can we obtain and elect goo: men, which is, beyond all question, the only way possi- ble to secure and perpetuate geod government. Ours, fellow-citizens, is a government of obligations, of duties to Ld e-~ jong aud of benefits to be derived. I feel asou fellow citizens, that the price of freedom and good government is now and ever will be perpetual vigil- ance. Our governn ent, fellow-eitizens, ought ever to be @ true raat sete of the concentrat will of the people. me persons present will recollect that, on & former occasion, I recommended that the people pay the price for liberty and good government, by assembling on ‘ach block in city for the purpose of choosing a pers von to represent their will in a primary meeting to be held in every ward, for the purpore of selecting suitable @andidates to represent their interest in the councils of the city. These several ward nominating committees, AAwOrn | in the different wards, after having'selected the Persons to form the municipal government of our city, should be instructed to elect two or three of their num ber be. egal the will of their constituents ins formed of persons sent from all the wards, for the pu of belpa a suital candidates to represent us in the county and legislature of our State. By this means the necessary knowledge of proper men would be brought together to enable the sominating committee to make a wise and proper selec- tion of to be elected te the various offices of our ity. 9, fellow -citisons, have received in trust a rich treasure are made effectual to freedom, hinting us by every consideration | of atest aad du. mvid it torever mored foe ow elven, oar postenity, and the couse of sufering This, fellow-citizens, is an occasion that claims | | ty throughout the world. And now, fellow-citizens, let ua look for one moment at those causes that have operated to produce those frightful evils that now tax no heavily the productive labor of a whole community. This state of things has been brought about by an almost entire neglect on the part of a large majority of the people to attend to, and perform one of the most im- portant duties that’ belongs to an American citizen— mean the duty that devolves op eve logal voter to take a part in the selection of men that are to hold the helm and guide the destinies of our city and our coun- try. Ours, fellow-citizens, is ® government of choice. If it is not whatit ought to be, it is our fault, It is be- cause we have not attended to the primary meetings for the proper selection of candidates to represent and carry out the will of the people. Ours isa government designed to secure for a whole community these advantages that could not be obtained by a people acting in their separate and ‘individual capacity. It should be, fellow-citizens, the pride and glory of every American, both native an adopted, to make our government truly represent the will, the in‘erests and honor of our country. I will not longer occupy your time, and will now introduce to you agentleman altogether more competent t» addrevs you than myself. During the delivery of Mr. Cooper's speech, the Sixth Ward Reform Association headed by M. 8, Bxaon, exitered the hall, and were received with cheers. Tuey bore trans. parencies inscribed as follows: — 02 2006098000990000000000000% ° van PouuTcs WAYR ° ° o 2000000000000000900000000000 02 000000000009090000000900009 x THe POOR MAN es ° ° ° CALIS FOR REFORM, ° ° ° 200000000090909000009000000 09 90000000000900000009090009 : WE KNOW NO PARTY; i ° ONLY WE VOTH FOR DONEST M¥M! ° ° ° ©009000009000009000090000000 098 0000000000000000000000009 ° ° 4 THE MECHANICS is ° THROUGHOUT THE Crry ARK wrt US! ° o o ¢20000000000009000000090000 ©000009000000000000000 ° RUE WORKINGMAN WILL EVER VOTE AGAINST REFORM. 0 ° ©0099000000000000000 2ed0c0 goeeeocscoceac0000000099000 ° AUK SIXT WARD GOES FOR REVORS. ° Secccoccoccosac000000000009 gesecoccocscaacsc0e0c200000 ° REFORM, ° ° LIKE TRUTH, MUST’ PREVAIL ° Seoceococococoscg0000000000 goeserooceaocss000000000000 © WE WANT NEW MEN TO CARRY OUT THR NEW CHARTER, 0 ScccescceosezccecoccecocoeS These, with the American flag, were displayed ugon the platform, After three cheers had been given, Jvpcx VanpERPoot was then intreduced to the meeting, and said:— Presijert and Fellow-citizens—That apathy and ence should prevail everywhere as to the result of the coming contest seems wholly incredible. The issue at stake in the election, on which we are so soon to enter is more important than any that ever preceded it—to the great masses, I mean. In former contests questions of national interest and national policy have been involved, ‘These tothe partisan zealot may have been of momentous importance. But the question which is now about to be solved srtikes deeply into the bosom, the business,and the honest feeling of every man in he community rich and poor. On the result of this great reform meeting depends the esti- mate the city of New York willsustain in the eye and the opinion of the world. Upon, it depends the question whe- ther the fair fame of the Wykoffs and the Allens that once graced your city shall ever be restored; and above a whether the hordes of jobbers, harpies and vampires, tha: have been eating up the substance of honest toil, shall be any longer permitted te flourish. These questions will be important to stir up the feelings of honest industry— and would to GodI could say that they stirred up the feelings of the men of drive une reprobates and rogues from the high places in your city. (Laughter and applause.) There are gentlemen, (to their credit be it raid.) to whom these observations do not apply. some who feel the high responsibility connected with ample means—who labor in season and out of season and pour out the abundance of their wealth to work out this great moral task of municipal ee ap Would to Hea- yen that thare were more such! If we had two hundred James Boormans and Peter Coopers, victory would be sure to perch upon our standard. We could then present a phalanx before which the minions of corruption would quail. These men have been willing to buckle on their armor and tabe part with us in this great work of reform, centributing their money liberally when others held it fast with o miser’s grasp. These men of wealth in this great commercial metropolis stand forth in cheering contrast with the hoarding, clutching, grasping, dron- i ies by which they are surrounded. (Much ap- Nine months ago exposures were made in con- with this movement, in reference to the int:rests of the city, which roused the indignation and disgust of every man whose moral sense wae not reudered obtuse by depravity. The opinion went as far as the fame of the city extended, that until reformation was had we would stink in the nostrils of all honorable men. The result was that the new charter of reform was adopted bi thirty-three thousand to three thousand. (Applause. This was enough to shock the nerves and. parsivae the energies of erdinary rogues. (Laughter.) They are not alldead. They are still alive and kicking; and am sorry to say it may be yeare before they are rooted out, We can- | not take the contrary for granted. We know that they are still striving and struggling to get hold of that good old rich teat, the city treasury, from which, indays gone by, they were accustomed to draw delightful and fattenin nourishment. Sir, you will geethem everywhere, fille with high hopes and animation. © They soliloquize in this way: “Our hopes are not so desperate after all. Those rich men, the men of wealth, the old fogies, who came out last June, and helped to’ thrash us to the tune of thirty-three thousand, have gone back to their luxurious ottomans and sofas, on which they reposed so long toour delight and impunity. To come out twice a year is too much of a condescention on their part. By blowing our old party horn lustily we will rally the poor deluded vie- tims of party zeal; and those who sympathize with us, and expect to get a little of the drippings of our exertions, will, co operate with ns, and our prospects are not so bad after all, not withstand: ing the astounding vote of 92,000 against us in June jant.”? Fellow citizens :—It remains to be determined whether the Charter for which we labored, in season and out of season, month after month, shall be carried out. It de- pends upen you, gentlemen, who compose the Reform Association, whether that great boon is worth anything. Unless you elect the proper men to put it in operation, it will prove anything but a blessing, and instead of yield: ing the fruit you anticipsted, it will give nothing but a crop of thorns and thistles. Sir, the question is now for the firat time to be presented in twenty years—whether the great mass of the citizens of this mighty metropolis are meeting for a time to forget all party feud: dissen- tions for the purpose of procuring honest, pure, and effi- cient city government. Wa have tried both of the great political parties and found them equally wanting. The only differerce between them is that while one has chas- tised us with whips, the other has scourged us with sebr- pions. (Applause and shouts of laughter.) We have Jumped from the demosratis fire into the whig frying pan, and so backwards and forwards till we have listered and scalded, and skinned alive. (laughter) the question now to be determined by you, fellow citize ia, whether thia iron despotism of party’ be any longer érmitted to scourge the good prope o this great city. Xo, no; next Tuesday will tell the story forthem. Let us stand resolved, one and all—resolved that we will unite together and snap the cords of this galling despotism like the cérds of the Philistines which bound Sampson and that we will shake off, like dew drops from the lion’s mane, the incubus which is pressing us down to the low- est depths of dogradation, Sir, we live in the worst gov- erned oity in the world. If these be any people on earth who are taxed so severely, I am very sure there are none who reseive so little as an equivalent for the burthen laced upon them. $260,000 have already been expend it seema, to clean the streets of this city. (Laughter. Yes, sir, the very idea of talking about ol the streets of the city, from the uniiorm appearance they exhibit, would make a horse laugh if he had» mouth for it. (Laughter.) And yet an additional requisition of $40,000 is made by our good City Fathers upon the trea- sury. Why, rir, if I could see @ gang of street aweepers Jn the part of the city in which I reside it would make me think of the advent of the locusts, for I think they come about every seventeen years—(creat ap- plause)—and that is as often, I believe, ax the street aweepers visit us in the upper part of the city. Sir, my eyes have not yet been regaled by the sight of anybody in the stregt with a broom im their hands, with the exception, perM™ps, of servant man or the peor girls who are employed to sweep the sidewalks in the street in which I reside, during this year of our Lord 1858, although I pay more taxes for the humble two- story dwelling in which I reeide than the rent of a large wholesome tenement would amount to in the town of my nativity. What is the condition of your pavements? Why, sir, with the exception of Broatway, where the patriotic services of brother Russ have been put in requi- sition, the old fashioned, swampy, western corduroy road, is an’ Appian Way compared with them. (Langhter.} They are good antidotes for dyspepsia, but I go not see that they can serve for any other useful purpose, And here an idea comes across my mind. Brother Halatead’s dyspeptic chair has been in demand for years, but I fancy that it is now superseded by th ine imposed As aon everybody crossing our streets in their present condition. Fellow citizens, in the remarks | made some time ago do not consider me as disparaging parties im the abstract. I drop one link inthe series of observations which I in- tended to submit. Parties have existed, and they always will exist; but what are the legitimate influences of artis ? They are the result of great national principles. Tron these intellizent and honest men will natura’ Gifter; they conmder it impurtant fer weal - to the republic that these measures or pri 2 ciples should either prevail or be defeate’, These ere the legitimate offspring of the honest diller- enco between these men, and they are salutary, for they infuse a spirit of vigilance which tenda not vnfrequently to the welfare of the r- public, Bat, sir it is degrading and tel'tieing party—it is prostituting it to mont ignoble purposes—to bring it to ous every tay muni cipal affairs, (Applause.) You might as well apply it to the election of militia officers, or the selection of patit and grand jurors. What reser blanee is there. botween a quertion respecting tariff or free trade and one in re- gard to cleaning and paving the streets of the city ? What legitiswate connection is there between that quastion of a ational bank or slavery and free soil, and the ques- tion of grading and cleaning the streets and granting railroad monopolies?” There is no more. aympathy or lee gitimate conmexion between theso questions than there is between the good little Avariah C. Flagg and the ma- jority of the cor poration of the city of New York. (Ap- plause.) As this is flitting across my brain, I may as well tell you an anecdote which I heard from a gentleman the other day, who pledged himself to the trath of it. He told me that one of these aspiring gentlemen who wished to serve the city for the city’s good, had ruspeoted of a liking for an aldermanic nomination. The nomination was made, but it was not of this aspiring gon- tleman, A friend, on meeting him, accosted him in this wise: I thought’ you were surely going to be nominated for your ward, instead of that man.” He replied, “What the devil is the uss? You cannot make arything as long as old Flagg sits there.” (Great laughter). { say we live in the worst governed city in the world. ‘The streets, the pavements, to which I have ac verted—these are the blestings we get in re‘ura for the moner we p taxes now amount to between five and six milli dollars anovally, In 1852 they amounted te a little over three millions of dollars, and in # single year there has been an increase of seventeen hundred thousand dol- lars, notwithstanding in that very year an addition of sixty-two millions of dollars bas been made to the assess- ment rolls of the city, and the rate of assessments has been raised from ninety-six cents to one hundred and twenty three cents on the hundred dollars. Where, in the name of conscience, ia this thing gomg toend? If it be permitted to proceed, the taxes will soon amount to ten millions of dollara; and who will be left then to pay annually thia’ frightful exaction? The capitalists will fly from you like frightened. sheep. They are already doing s0 in every direction. They are ambulatory. You cannot circumscribe their locomotion. The carmen who owns his $200 or $300 tenement has to stay; but the wealthy man, if the taxes reach a certain point, can take up his bed and walk; for it is a matter of mere moonshine where a rich man lives. Who, then, is to be left to pay the piper? What is the effect of this in- creased taxation? oan beyond the precincts of this city, cities and villages are rising up; all along the line of railroads in Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, the are springio up with mushroom rapidity—all, all offshoots and hagitive from this overtaxed metropolis. This is not all ; poor men can hardly live here any long- er, and the most gratifying spectacle is to see so many of the hard fisted sons of toil congregated on this occa: sion. Every day my acquaintances in the country, me- chanics, ask me ifthey should come to New York. I al- y ey where you are. Let wellenough alone. If you get a dollar a day where you are, eigh teen shillings here. Every thing p by ex- (a plause. “) See how miserably the poor are . They are stuck away In some narrow, dirty lan twenty or thirty families huddled together in’ one com: fortless rookery of a tenement, where the pureair ani of heaven scarcely ever resches, but where pestilence is bred. A kind Providence gives them offspring; but of what advantage are they but to fill our yawning grave- yards’ It it enough to rake the heart of humanity leed to read the statistics lately laid before us in respect to the fatality of the children of this class. We are told that not one out of three attain the age of fifteen But, thank God, it cannot be said that altogether dostitute of humanity when we see such menfas those who are near me for erecting monu- ments to their regard for the laboring people. (Great lause.) The question has been mooted for years, “Wikat shall be done for the laboring classes in referen o@ to dwellings ?’’ But the wealthy say “What shall we do ifwe invest our money in real estate, for it will be crushed with taxation? Ifwe keep our money in our ekets we can flee from fthis pestileuce.”” And this is he rearon why attempts are not made to improve the condition of the poor as far as housing them is concerned. And this is not all, my friends, It isa law of finance that, in every aystem Of taxation, with respect to governmental burthens, labor pays more than a legitimate portion. The burthen may be first im- posed upon capital, but that capital is always stron; enough to shift an undue portion upon the broad shoul- ders of labor (Applause.) This has become an axiom in political economy: a simple illustration ia only needed to satisfy you of that fact. The tax is raised on the landlord’s house, and he claps it upon the tenant; if the taxes of the butchers are increased, they are put upon the meat; if your baker’s expenses are a ted by taxes, the inoniase is put upon the poor man’s loaf; so taat the hardy sons of toil eat and drink taxes in all they con- sume. Even the poor shanty, which shelters them from the peltings of the pittiless storm, is only a memento of the abominations and abuse of our city government. And where is this thing to end unless labor comes to the rescue? When our Reform Association first convened they did me the honor to invite me to atteud asa mem- ber. My first remark was this: “Gentlemon, your efforts are worse than vain unless you convince the laboring men of the true interest they have in this great move ment.” (Great applause.) The men who read the newspapers, and shopkeepers who reflect and think they see what is going on at the City Hall, will be righ enovgh; but, sir, they bave had hitherto the address to almcet make the laboring people believe that their true interest was on the side of prodigal expenditure. I had an exemplification of this in a conversation which I had with one of these gentry son e time ago, The story I have told in this place before, but it will bear repetition, to show the efforts they have made heretofore to debauch the mind of labor on this great question. When I eame here from the country, some twelve or thirteen years ago, your city taxes amounted to only $16,000 or $18,000; now they reach $5,000,000 or $6,000,000. The Comptroller did me'the honor to send me one of his annual reports. On locking over {it I was perfectly shocked to see the amount of expenditure of the public money in this city. One of these politicians—these pure patriots who think that we are now committing serious offence, nay, high treason against porty claims, hapyened to call on me, ‘My dear sir,” said I, “howis it) our people submit to,this enormous expendittire—so much for one thing, and s0 much for an- other’ In the country where I come from, if the commis- sioners of the highways, or the overseer of the poor, were to ralse the taxes of the farmer who pays ten dollars anpually, to eleven, he would be swept away the very next year.”” He replied: “We have a different set of things here; we have a set of men who are teo lazy to work’—and this fellow happened to be one of them him- self (lavghter)—<‘men who have nothing, and who are determined to live on those who have. I will tell you how they fixit. ‘They rally under one or the other of the great political parties, and become very vociferous patri- ots. ‘They blow the party horn, attend the primary meetings, use the knock-down snd drag-out argument, and Silk ‘Stockings will not come near them for fear of being lustily rubbed against and getting a black eye. They make ther own nominations for aldermen, for as- sistant aldermen, and for this and that office; but they always take care to select such accommodating agents as will make good jobs for them, and thus procure them a livelihood. What is the result? Silk Stockings always has to foot the bill.’” I tried to demonstrate that this was all afalacy; that, although the burthen may first come upon the Silk Stockings,tyet an undue proportion ul- timately falls upon the back of the hardy sons of toil. 1 am delighted, sir, Trepeat, to find so very many of that portion of this community here to-night. Iam glad to see them exhibit their approbation of the new charter demonstrations. It is gratttying that they have found out at length on which side their bread 13 buttered—the side of economy. (Applause, which con- tinued for some time.) Sir, ‘Now, or never,’ is the watchword with which we should enter upon this great work of reform. We can never enter upon it again with half the prospect of success that we have now. A new charter is to be put in operation, and in carrying it out everything depends on the agents employed to tvat set it in motion. Will you permit that gallsat ship, which you have built at so inuch pains, to be steered by a sot of pi rates, who would first rob her rich treasury, and then scuttle and fink her/ (Cries from all parts of the hall, No! No!) You havea most reliable and trustworthy purser cn board, (Applause.) But the moment they get to sea they will gag and strangle him, and tarow him overboard, if it be neceseary to their piratical purposes. Come, then, to the rescue!” The city, humanity, and mo- rality, your own high interest, and the comfort and wel fare of your familien call upon you to come to the res cue, (Applause.) Sir, we live in one of the most splon did cities of the world, ‘and if her prospects’ were not al most blasted and mildewed by the curse of mal-government she would be the bappiest city in the world, Our com merce extends toevery portion of the labitable globe. We are already the second city in commercial importan and, if we are true to ourselves, we shall soon be the first. It is only a question inthe womb of time. Our sails whiten every ocean. The ships of Tarshish, so fa mous in sacred story, were but periaugers compared to gue noble liners and ‘our gallant clippers. | (Applause) Sir, such a city deserves a nobler fate than to be crush down any longer migovernment. Then I call upon you all to come to the reseue—all, without distinetion of party—whign and democrats, silver grays and wool ads—(laughter)—teetotallers and hard drinkers shells and soft shells and no shells at all, (Laughter and applause). Come, come, let us unite together like a baad of brothers, forget our miserable,petty, eyanescing party feuds and dissensions, and rally ‘around the standard of our city’s best interest. We will not cease our efforts; we will not give sleep to our eyes until we secure the great blessing of a pure, honest, economical and efficient city government. The speaker concluded amidst pro- longed applause, The chairman then introduced Mr, Primcwarp, who read to the meeting the following address: Feiiow Citizen. ‘You are on the ove of another elec- tion, You are soon to choose pnblic servants, upon whom shall be devolved, for another year, the duty of framing and administering the laws under which you live. . ‘So far ns questions of national and Sta:e fe may bo involved in the coming contest, we, who aro hero assembled, have, im our co! tive on) a no connection with it. Be- Jonging to all the various parties of the d: tertaining his own opinion upon the issu and the claims of candidates for official ‘4nd shall make no attempt to in htest degree upon thoee subjecte. 4 ou oie, in regard to the government of your i ia that you will take such action as aball Jesome regulations, in t it py You do not need to be informed of the ch eracter of romeont by which this city has hitherto bi cursed. wn ex] oo must have shown you its expensiv. is ‘ch atiads te ee ite otax oh are, thao are upos i)! Sus honest Tabor of the alty, We deteay the jon, wo have no ence Your action in PRICE TWO CENTS. the present yoar; and your own ob orning it during . Pp 5% be 4 over! , throng! @ public atceeta—of the i id corraption whieh proside over ad pervade over int of the public sory’ at have demonstrated, y need of argument, olute novvssi 7 of an immodiate and *horough roforia. goat your har wit peswed an ono moug increate of expense in every branch of the city government—am increase mot warranted by any in crease of population, by any enlargement of the city limite, or by any xronter emerqy and oficioacy in tho regulation of conti: 1 of city affairs, ‘The cost of cleaning bhe strveta, of ra- Dalting pavements, of the alms house, of the polics, in'sbort, of every department of tho ci'y CH mment, has been far enter than it was Inst year, while in svery one of them Tera ‘hae boon 8 positivd falling of Inthe tiheioncy and beneficial resu’ ts of their activity. Buta still more alarming feature in the nee adminis- tration of our city affairs, fas been developed by the invosti- gations which have recently been sot on foot. “It has been roved beyond all possibility of doubt, wt corruption, of Rie most glaring and shameless charaoter, pervades almost every branch of the city government, The public interests have becn ancriticed to private avarice, Bribary has governed the action of the Common Gouncil, Public 8 of im mense have been sold to rich monopolists. Contracts involving enormous sums of money, have beon bestor upon individuals, im utter contempt of the public welfaro, and with an exclusive vie ivate emolument. Ingenuity has be xed to its utmost to fabricate claims upon the city t Mombers of tho Common Council have been indicted bj the highert crimes of gpilty; and, though awaiting trial, are candi ion. And throughout every oranch of the city government a reckless spirit of avarice, unchecked by any roeard for private character or for public law, haa obtained entire control of your municiy ffs It is by sueh a spirit that th se affairs of government which touch your daily interests —which affect your health, your comfors, your property, far more than any monsures of the tederal, ‘or of the State ad- 4 and controlled. The only protec- mco—the only safeguards your homes, fo the yulot prosecution of your daily ‘ly asavrance you have that the lives and the health of yourselves, your wives and childron, be pro- tected from the mala of filthy streeti—the only ground you have for hepe that the money you pay into the city trea- bury will be used in any way for the public good—depend tirely on tho corruption and avarice which rule the counci avd govern the action of this gr nd growing city. Fol low citizens, wo onll upon you ao to aot, and to vote in tho to pat an ond to this disgraceful and ruin- of your city affai ot New York no longer be a by-word 61 reproach throu,hout the world for the corruption and imbecility of its municipal goveramens. You have already taken a most important stop towards securing this result. The amended charter passed by the Legislature, and adopted by such an overwholming majority of the people of this city in June Inst, puts itin your power to terminate for ever the public abuses which had become so flagrant, and to secure for your city an honest and efficient government But, without furth y the Grand Inquest of the county for which persona in their po: ites for re-elec- tion on your part, the benefits of what has heen done already will be utterly lost. The prac tical working of the charter depends entirsly upon the ordi- nances which may be framod to carry it into effect, and upon the men to whose hands it shall be committed, shows that a common council so disposed, can pass ordinan- ges which sha'l render uttorly nusatory tile bust chartor over framed; and dishonest or unfaithful mon will, under any laws, seek their private iuteresta rather than’ the public ood. 1t is of the utmost importance, therefore, that in the eom- ing election you elect such men, and such’ men only, to the various city offices yon are called upon to fill, as are devoted, eartly and thorouzhly to the great cause of reform in the administration of our city affairs, It is a matter of no im- portance to what political party they may belong—neither hational nor State government. You are to elect men to city offices, not on account of their relations to Albany or Wash ingtem, Dut solely and exelusively on, the ground of their fitness! to perform the munibipal duties required at their and to you, as you value tho vast in- overnment ot your city— a8 you with exolusive reter- otic m. ¥ low citizons, we appeal ‘committed to the Value its honor and its welfare, to act ence to them, in the approaching attachments’ may very properly everything with which politics have electing’ men who are to admini let their fitness for that, spacific which they shall be tried, Let no man who has been cated, diroctly or indirectly, in the dishonert and d acta from whioh the character and interests of your city have alreadygsuifered so mech, be again ed in the posi- tion he has #0 abused and disgraced, for no man, whatever may be his party attachments or relations, ia whos ability and integrity you have not the fullest assurance, and who ig rot pledged, by char Jy past conduct, and by present associations, to the cause of municipai retorm, After the reading of the address calla were made for “Nominations ! Nominations !’’ but the Chaieman an- nounced that the resolutions would first be read. Mr. Pnircmarp read a resolution recommending the reform party to vote for Judges Daly, puer, Emmet, and for District Attorney N, Bowditch Blunt. At the mention of the names of Duer, Emmet and Blunt, there was a great deal of hissing and applause, and (it was impossible to know wich of these names clicited the most marks of disfavor,) deafenening shouts of ‘‘No! no! no!’? “No necessary evils!”? “Schaeiler |"? “Sepa. rate the names!” & The Chair endeavored to restore onler,and put the reso- lution as to the Judges and Dis tr ttorney, which was met by an almost unanimous ‘No!’ The Chairman said that the resolution with respect to tae Judges was lost. He would now introduce to them Mr. Dodge. Cries of ‘no, no; give us the nomination.” Agentleman in the crowd asked as to the fate of the resolution concerning the Judges, ‘The Cuarkman said it was put and lost. Three cbeers were given for the announcement, At this time there was a dreadful uproar, most of the voices demanding the names, one at atime, Some shouted “cross off Daly,’’ and some ‘strike off Daly and Blut, and Emmet to.’” Cheers, hisses, and groans were given for these candidates. The question was then put as to the Judges separately. The first was as to Judge Duer. The ‘ayes’ prepon- derated as to him, and there waa much applause, The next question was as to Juige Robert Emmet. The “ayen”’ were numerous, but the ‘noes’? Fredonatnat Judge Vanderpoel, however, acting'for the Chairman, a nounced that the “ayes” had it. There was great dis sention and dissatisfation at that, and the same gentleman then put the question as to Judge Daly, with a similar re- sult, “Tho ayes!” were supp: sed to bave it, No proper criterion could be, however, formed as to the predcminant sentiment of the meeting. Hundreds of voices shouted the question, ‘Was the vote as to Daly lost?” The Chair dec.ded that the question as to Judge Daly was lost. This was received with immense ratisfac- tion and cheers. Then the same question was shouted out as to Jutge Emmet, The Chairman said the result of the question would te known to morrow. That would not at all satisfy the meeting, and there was still more noisy demonstrations of dissatisfaction. Judge Vani eRPOFL came forward, and, as if represent- ing the Chair, be said that the meeting had not given a proper vote as to Judge Daly, and he weuld put the ques- tion again. The question was accordingly put by him, and the “noes” were in thundering majority “There were very lively demonstrations of applause at the repe- titicm of failure in connection with the nomiuation of Juege Daly. Shouts and cheers, and groans and hisses, were here blended in dreadful disorder; cries of “How about Em- met?’ “How about Blunt?” “Put up Schaeffer,” &3., &e. The political parties were evidently in the ascend: ant in the meeting, and the reformers were completely nonplussed. Now, gentlemen, said Mr. Norti,coming forward at this jueer juncture in the proceedings, we wil inate the Charter ticket. (Applause.) We do not pretend to nom- inate the Judges or District Attorney. We leave that for the people. I will now give you, sad he, the Charter pominations. Three cheers for that announcement. Another gentleman—Mr. Wuityxy, we learn—came for- ward and stated that he had the authority of the Chair- man to state that the nominations of the Judges and Dis- trict Attorney were withdrawn. ‘This announcement, ina great measure, restored calm and good feeling to the meeting. Mr. Nort then read the nominations for Aldermen and Concilmen in the several wards and districts. THIRD WARD. Alderman—Orison Blunt, gun manufacturer, 177 Broad- way. Councilmsa—Wm, Young, M D., 33 Barclay street. FIFTH WARD. Alderman—Burtis Skidmore. Councilmen—Charlos J, Howell, Eighth district; John A. Kennedy, Ninth district; Theophilus Peck, Tenth district. SIXTH WARD, Alderman—Noah Worrall, machinist and saw manufac- turer, 24 end 26 Lim street; residence 28 Elm Councilmen—In Eleventh District—Lorenzo Carey, grocer, 450 Pearl street. residence 475 Pearl street. Twelfth District—Michael C, Donahue, journeyman boiler maker, en, d with Hogg & Delamater, foot of Thirteenth strect;' residence 86 Centre street. ‘Thirteenth iriot—George B. Alvord, hatter, 208 Chat- ham street; residence 208 Chatham street. SEVENTH WARD. William D. Murphy. Tuttle, Ith district; James BE. Loth oistrict; A. V. Hendricks, 16th district. RIGHTH WARD. Alderman—Wm. Tucker. Councitmen—Horatio N. Wild, 17th district ; man, Isth district; Casper C. Childs, 19th dis Wainwright, 0th District. OIE i Aa Aldorman—Peter P, Voorbies. Councilmen—H. P. See, 2st district; Charles J. Holder, Md district ; Cornelius S. Cooper, 234 district; Alfre Brush, 24th district, TENTH WARD. Alderman—G Provision dealer, 273 Broome street. Couneilmen—Char jen., dei Allen street; Wm. R. Foster, wholorale grocer, 1 Easox ; Jonatha Purdy, builder, 127 Orchard atreet. HLEVENTH WARD, Alderman—Wm. Boardman, Jr. Councilmen— Geo. 8ybell, E. H. Kumbaek,Garritt Schuyler, Geo. H. Ray fas. Farris, TWELFTH WARD, Alderman—Benson J. McGown. Couneitman—Charlos C, North, Erq. THIRTEENTH WARD. David Cole- ict; Edwin Alderman—Cornelius Suydam, bakor, 44 Willett street. Counciimen—Wm, Floyd, grocer, 4 Goeriok street; George W. Brown, wheelwright, 47 Willett street; Robort B. Folger, physician, '27 Suffolk street. 5 Aldorman—Wm. « Counei Wins broker, Clinton place ; trict, treet; Edwin Ninth SIXTEENTH WARD. Alderman—Thomas Christy. Councilman—Benjamin C. Wendell. Alderm: Danicl D hava a AL an Lord, lawyer, Councils ‘Fredoiok B. Mather, AD fel 57th district; x. rohant, 5duh on. Alderman Theodore Matti Councilmen—C harles McLean, 42d district; Dan! WARD. or ie caw Beary D. Connover, 434 district.- TWhAZY FROT 1derman—Richard Giasolnea ‘Mortis . Baele, George W. Vocisn. ‘ TWENTY-SECOND WARD. Yor Aldorman--L. B. Ward. Yor Councilman—Mr. Cudlip. The nominees of the Sixth ward were hissed. The name of Mr. D. Murphy, for the Seventh ward, was hissed. The councilmen nomination was applauded. ‘The nominees for the Kighth ward seemed to give aa- tisfaction. So with the Ninth and Tenth. “You see, gentlemen,” said Mr, NoxTH—alluding to the =e in the Tenth ward—‘‘we take the bone and sinew. “€Yea,’’ said a voice, ‘but we don’t want the Mickies.'” ‘Good !” cried @ dozen voices; “Three cheers for that.” The cheers were given. The nominations for the Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteeth wards, were received with moro or less appro- bation. “For the Fourteenth ward,’’ said Mr. Norra, ‘'we have not yet decided who to nominate,’ Two parties cried out lastily for “John Kelly” and “Horace Miller.’’ ‘The Svorwtaxy said they would give Mr. Kelly a fair hearing to-morrow. The nominations for the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven- teenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth wards were received well. For Twentieth ward, the name of Mr. Martine was re- ceived with a good deal of disapprobation. ao is a fogy. (Great laughter and ap- plause When the reading of the nominations was completed the Chairman came forward to put the queation aa to the affirming of the nominations; but he was almost prevented rom doing #0 by the uproarious shouts for “Chester,”? ‘Cheater,”” *Schaefter,’” &. ‘The question, however. was finally put and carried. Another gentleman, whom. we understood to be Mr. Chester, was next introduced, and the mesting was for # while quiet to hear what he had to say. He had been under the impression, ho said, that ‘he reform meeting was only to consider the charter nominations. (Yes, that’s it,”’ “Speak out!’ — louder, louder.’?) The speaker could net well comply with the demand, and there were evident attempts to cough and shuille him off. He reemed to take ths hint, and came toa close by reading the following resolution :— Resolved, That it is the senre of this City Roform As ciation, that this association should not nominate or recom men apy cancidate or candidates whatever for any ju- dicial office, or for District Attorney for the city and county of Now York, or for any other county office whatever, aa to do go in whole or part would bes breach of nd of the oft-repeated pledge that wo would nt interfere with any matter except the charter nominations. And wo hereby pledge ourselves not to recommend, or nominate, or make up any ticket whatever for any of the candidates’ now before the people for any of the offices aforesaid; and we hereby recommend to tho electors of the city and county of New York to vote at the approaching elections for the best can- for all judicial and all other county offices, irrespoo- tive of party considerations, The resolution was adopted. Mr. Doncx came forward and said :—Friends and fellow citizens—Leaving out of what I have to gay all those questions which have agitated you relative to nomina- tins, I desire to say a few words on the question of city reform. (Cries of ‘Good,’ and applause.) I firat desire to confess that, aa a mercantile man I have neglected my duty ; and I will say that for the last five years I have growled about the abuses which have been showered deposited my vote for men whom I did not know. And Task you as merchants, as mechanics, and as laboring rffen if you bave not done precisely the same thing? (Cries of * Yes,’’ “yea.’’) And in view of ‘this is it any wonder that we have been plundered and abused / (No, "© no,??) Ry bard work we have succeeded in getting a good con stitution. The next question shall we sustain it? (Yea, yes.) And can we get honest men who will ad- minister the government in accoréance with its require- ments? (‘Yes.’’) And again, let me ask you if it is not in the power of this audience to go out from thie meeting and elect these men. (‘Yes.’’) If this is not done—if the blow is not struck at this time—we shall continue to be abused in the same manner, The speaker closed by ex- horting his audience to 5° home and use their pecsonal influence to secure the selection of good reform mea. There were cries of “Shaffer,’’ but Shafer did not appear. Pinan Murrny came forward said :—Fellow-citizens— Thave but a few words to say to you; in fact, but little remains to besaid. The time for talking has gone by. [ take it for granted when I look upon you that I look upon men who have inaugurated the new copstitution. (Ap- pissee. ) I take it for granted when I look upon you {nde see the power of the city of New York. Will you not exert this power, and let these mea know you are their master? (“Yes”) If you do not, you will be taxed and abured as much as ever. The remarks which have been made concerning the power of labor are true. The mechanics have the power to right themselves, and, if they continue to be taxed to enrich vagabond contrac- tors, you are greater minions than I ever supposed mechapies to be. If you go to work now you w successful, but if you remain dormant ,th criminals who bave escaped tria! may ve reel Turks and Russians are going to war for no definite p: pose. We have much more cause for war—our money as been stolen and our good name has been tarnished. What we should do now is to kick ‘he thieves out of the house altogether. (Langh‘er and applause.) ‘The spesker, after referring to sundry acts of the Common Council, closed with a request to hearers to remember what he had ssid on the Sth of N led for “G: that philosopher came ferwa Pellow-oltivens—Let: me say a few words on one or two points. I have heard the tax of five million brought forward here as an agnment to-night, bat if it were ten million that were levied we should have a still larger oppo- sition at the polls, Remember that these five million are the stock in trade—the sub-treasury of our opponents. If we leave the whole'management of boxes anditickets to our ad- versaries we will be beaten, Already the very worst men in the corporation are again in nomination in the two par- ties, The first point, then, to be considered is, how many men have we to stand up at the polls on election di If the independent men I see here to-night will take their position at the polls we shall have ten or fifteen of the twenty-two wards, ‘Take care, therefore, toshave an organization in each ward to get voters to register their vote for the reform party. The great object we have is to get, in the first place, a Common Council who owe nothing to party support. If they go unpledged we shall certainly have a year of which the friends of reform may well be proud, T beseech you, therefore, to stand at the ls all day, and if you do so you will be glad to come ere at night and hear the result of the election. There was a movement here for an adjournment, though voices called for various speakers. Cheers were called and given for the several political candidates, and finally the President declared that the meeting was dissolved. City Politics. COLLECTING THE TAXES AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE. When thefemployes of the Custom House were being paid their monthly salaries yesterday, they were waylaid at the cashier's office by the agents of the Van Burevites, by the authority of the Tammany Hall General Commit. The assess tee, for various sums for election purposes. ments averaged as follows : 19 Weighers, $25 ench...... 15 Measurers, $25 each 7 Guagers, $25 ench........, 195 Inspectors, $15 each, 184 Clerks, $10 each, 137 Night Watchmen, Total, eeeeeee ‘The assessment was made upon whigs, national demo- crats, and Van Burenites or free soilers, all for the sup- port of the Van Buren State ticket. It is not supposed that the payment of the tax was refused by any one; and although the national democrats consented to be re- Keved of their money, they will, of course, vote their regular ticket next Tuesday. They consider their situa tions worth what they paid for them, in their offerings esterday to the shrine of the new Collector and the Rpoila Cabinet. SEVENTH WARD NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC BATIFICA- TION. The national democracy of the Seventh ward met last evening, at the head-quarters of the party, in Madison street, an¢ in the most enthusiastic manner ratitied their whole'ticket. ‘The meeting was somewhat interrupted by 2 party of Van Burenites or free soil democrats, among whom was Mr. Isaac Austin, Thomas P. St John, candidate for Senator of the district; Mr. George F, Alden, nominee for the Assembly, and the charter ticket headed by Thomas Woodward for Alderman, were sustained by @ most conelusive vote, and the meeting adjourned after passing rerolutions in favor of the Clinton ticket and in support of Collector Bronson. The Turf. UNION COURSE, L. I-—TROTTING. Acapital trot came off yesterday afternoon, between two stallions, mile heats, best three in five, to wagons, for $400, The horses were Mr. Whelpley’s ch. horse Wm. Tell, and Mr. Wood: uff's g. horse Fort Washington. Wm. Tell won in three straight heats. He was the favorite previous to the start, at two to one. In the first heat the gray stallion cast a shoe after going head to head with the other for half » mile; but after that he fell off badly, and was beaten easily. The second heat was very closely contested throughout. Wm. Teli a dy alength only. In the last heat Tell’s su 4 tlon was manifet, as he beat the gray very handily from ‘inning to end. The following is the ge flrs ONDAY, Oct. 31.—Trotting match, $400, heats, dest three in five, to wagons. James Whelpley named ch. h. Wm Tell........ 1 1 1 Hiram Woodruif named g. h. Fort Washington. 2 2 2 Time, 2:56—2:55—2:51. The trotting season is dra‘ to close. Frost and snow will seon render the track unfit for use, and all ood horses will be put up for the winter. It ‘i fying to nee the campaign cloning 40" brillant. Tike & rotechnic exhibition, the best pieces are reserved for Tie last. A trot for $16,000 taker place this afternoon at the Centreville course, and on Friday another for $6,000, p. p., will come off at the Union, which will make {wo of the most exciting races that ever ecourred in this country. The match afternoon will bea mag- nificent affair—ten miles in harnese—between Hero and Prince, Army Intelligence. At & court martial which convened at Tampa, on the MUth of August, Captain oration, H ‘Artil- hemcenbly acqattied of referred of Fort Meed, Florida. upon us, and at the same time I have gone to the polls, THE BRONSON INDIGNATION MEETING, The Merchants of New York and the Cabinet. Another Letter from Judge Bronson te Seere= tary Gathr Ie. From twelve to fifteen hundred persons, the majority ef whom were merchants, assembled yesterday afterncom in the Exchange, to express, in the most emphatic terma, their disapproval of the conduct of the administration in removing Judge Bronson from the office of Collecter ef the Port of New York. Thé morning papers published the call for the meeting, signed with a large list ef names, among which were many of our most prominea® merchants. All, wit& the exception of one or two inoer- rigible Van Burenites, appeared to entertain but one seas timent in regard to the despotic act. At half-pas® three the meeting was called to order by Mr. John EL Brower, who nominated G. B. Lamar for President, am& the following gentlemen for Vice-Predidents and Seere- taries) Vick Ciaran, Geo. Douglass, Ely Hoppeck, Francis Cottenet, Schuyler Livingston, N. T. Hubbard, James Lee. ETARIES, John Stewart, Jr., E, B, Sut G, Godfrey Gunther. There nominations were unanimously approved of; afte which the following resolutions were read : Whereas, the merchants of New York are im, dutiable and free goods to the amount of two hundred Uons of dollars, and, where: nue collected from the poople’ of the United States, tl chants of New York advance about two-thirds—that is to aay forty millions per annum,—for which they are directly ree. ponsible to the foderal treasury, or the federal govorsmems, erefore, Be it Resolved, That in tho collection of this revonue, am@ in the persons appointed to collect it, wo have that sort of interest which gives usa right to express our opinion as mer- chants, whenever an injury or wrong bas been inflicted upem thut interest. Resolved, That change in th partment, which, while it turns he lowest clerk or tidewaiter use, though impolitic, wrongful, and detrimental to the publi intoragt, is yet endurable once in four years, up polideae revolution in the admin stration of bh government, sud perhaps lt isso sanctioned by saciea of precedente, that the bad custom cannot be amondod; bute change Collector, to be followed by other minor changos, whenever: that Colltetor may happen to differ with the fodoral Soore: tary of the Troasury upon the quostion of a State canal licy, of upon slavery, or antialavcry, here, ie, in praoties, destructive of the best interest trade'and comm: and in principle tyrannous, and subversive of the rights Prerogativeuof the States of thi Resolved, That while mene of the revenue de ri against tho interference of the federal govern- ment with the local internal improvement policy of New York, as citizens of tho United States. we prot against tho interference of that governmont with all the Collestor’s local appointments (as claimed in the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury.) oven down to tidewaiter ang The Collector of lara (often nore, sometimes less, perb administration of the Custom Houso; aud hence any unme- cessary or illegal interference from abroad with hia rights e& nomination or ubordinates, not only. poses our prope ai res to him, to plunder, or peril, but it ism practice in ‘iolntion of precedent, or principle, dnd of a vary arbiteasy eharaoter, , That the farther claim of the present Ssor tary of the T casury, ect upnow for tho first time in the of the American government, to confirm or roject, not tho officers of the customs, but all the clorks and suboi y in derogation of the law e@ otions in the Collector alone, is subversive o'the rightful powers of that officer, and is am act of usurpation worthy of a despotism, aad tending to but deserving only of the unqualified condemnation of free citizers, Resolved, in defence of ome thoreforo, That as morchants, d our ke interests—as New Yor! ite rights and ‘ors, in defence of a of the _Preronatives as ‘a co-s0 Union—as citizons of our common count Si Stato ty. deeply Interested in tro maintonanoo not only of the lottet of je constitution, but of ite epirit and true intent—we hereby most solemnly protest against the rud arbitrary, and, in s mere party point of vi codented remé of the Hon. GrooneC. Bronson aa Collector of the Fort few York. Resolved, That ia these timos, whem so many men abandes » win place, the sacrifice of honorable and luora- bh he hae made te a8 nd the rights gratitude o@ De md 30 a the conrtry, while it becomes an illustrious precedent am@ exam ple 101’ all te follow. olved, That s copy of these resolations, signed by the oft is meeting, be presented to she Hon, Greene @. a to lay them be- ud before Congress: he P when it aseen bles in December. At the conclusion of the foregoing resolutions, the Pre sident t: ok the vote of the meeting uj them. “Thee who are in favor of the resolutions just read,’ aaid he, will say. 3 To this a deafening response ven in the affirma tucceeded by clapping of hands and other demen strations of enthusiastic approval. Then came the nega tive side of the question. “Those who are opposed,”” said Mr. Lamar, “will say no.”? “No,” said one gentleman, in the most determined tone, andin his loudest key, if he would drown the echo of the affirmative that still appeared to linger about the building. It only succeeded, however, in exciting the merriment of the audience, who could certainly afford te laugh st the insignificant support which the administra- tion had thus received. Some one now made a motion for adjournment, but it was voted down immediately. Thea there were cries for ‘Lee,’ “ Brower,’’ “Grinnell,” amd some faceticus individual, who evidently liked a practioal joke, called out for ‘ Greeley.” As no speaker could be found, another motion was mace for adjournment, but with as bad success as before Mr. Royat G, Pures at this juncture appeared upon the stand, and addressed the meeting as Follows -— Gentle men—I come here to object to the name of merchaate being used in this meeting. I do not think that this is « fair representation of the merchants of the eity of New York. This meeting has not been got up ina fair way to express their sentiments. It is taking an unfsir advam- tage, to publish that the merehants of this city have done this and done that. No one respects Mr. Bronson more than Ide. We all know him to be a gentleman of honor, and thot be has unfortunately got intoa quarrel with the administration; but what I object to is the making of owe mercantile community a handle for the use of politionl leaders. The speaker was interrupted at this point by hisses and cries of ‘* put him out,’’ ** who is he,’’ * we don't want t bim here,’’ &c. He bore these assaults for a few minutes, till, despairing of a hearing, he reluctantly left the stamd, His departure was greeted with cheering, and the Preal- dent, to show that what he said had no effect upon the determination of those present, took another vote upom the resolutions. jentlemen,’.eaid he, ‘we wish to take one more vote upon the resolutions. Those in favor will say aye.” “Aye,” “aye,” “aye,” said about fifteen hundred voices; and when it was put in the negative there was net a solitary voice raised im defence of the administration, After this, speaking was'useless, for every one was satia- fied with what had been done—the merchants prefer act- ing to talking. We afterwards learned that it was not im- tended to have any speaking. The motion for adjourm- eae Lite’ Ms e een and carried. ae the meeting we heard several persons fj or priety of giving a public dinner to Ju youn, aed the projest was gererally approved of by those to whous it was mentioned. Judge Bronson’s Reply, to Mr. Guthrie’s Last titer. New York, Oct. 31, 1853. Sin—If you had been content, in your letter of the 224 instant, with anrouncing my removal from office, it would have been the end of our correspondence on that subject. But as you have attempted to assign reasons for the pro- ceeding, I have something to say in reply. You deny the right of the Collector to act without im- structions from your department, in any case. This doe- trine is entirely new; for in much the larger part of the business of the Custom House, the Co’lector is guided by the revenue laws, and has always acted without instrue tions from the Secretary of the Treasury. It is only ia special cases, where the law is of doubtful construstion, or the duties of the Collector have not been fully pre: seribed by law, and where the Secretary has a dispensing power, that he has been authorized to issue instructions to Collectors. And none of these cases have anything te do with the appointment of officers of the customs. On that head, the rights and duties of both Secretary and Collector have been prescribed by Congress, and neither can control the other when acting in his appropriate sphere. If,as you appear to suppose, the Collector can do no- thing without instructions from your department, the business which is now transacted in the Custom House in a single hour, could not be accomplished in a month, You have evidently set too high an estimate upon the extent of your powers. ‘The reason which you have assigned for this sweeping claim of authority, is as extraordinary as the claim (t- self, Your words are, ‘where the department is not expressly empowered to give instructions to subordinates, it hae the authority to do so, as inherent in the power to removea refractory officer.” Now, asI read the consti- tution the Secretary of the Tressury has no power to re- move a Collector, however refractory he maybe. The power of removal, as well as of sppointment, is veste! im the President. You will do well therefore tol ok ‘or some better reason than the one you have assigned for an un- limited authority over collectors in the selection of their ta. “Yon, think it singular that a gentleman of my legad acquirements and experience should fall iato the erree of assuming that the Collector appoints the various per. sons employed in the Custom House—some with the ap. proval of the Secretary, and some en the cole suthontg