The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-28
Public Robbery.

Ma. EDITOR "A majority ofthe present aldermen
have concluded 10 return to the old system OF clean
ing the Streets or in other WORDS TO rob the people
of large sum Of money with which to purchase
votes. The reasoning Of some OF the Aldermen on
the subject was most extraordinary and most absurd.
The arguments of one of the gentlemen was nothing
more than the cant of all political demagogues The
poor. the poor, the precious dear poor, were deeply
interested in favor Of the old robbery system. In
their case economy was out of the question. Now,
there Is no one possessing any claims TO common
sense but who knows the large mass ct the poor OF
this city IS as heavily taxed in proportion to their
means as the rich, II comes as hard on poor man
to pay his tax OF ten, fifteen twenty dollars. as II
does Mr. Asor TO pay his five hundred or one thou
sand dollars tax All must pay in proportion to their I
gathered, Is said to be benefit to the poor? All
demagogues, who greve so much for the poor, are
often at heart the most heartless towards the poor.
II is said the old system is economical because per-
sons employed on the streets would have to be sup.
ported In the Aims House at one dollar per week,
while the old system pays them four dollars per
week to work on the streets In this case the citl
zens had, as Tar as economy Is concerned, better
pay the one dollar per week for their Aims House
support, and clean the streets in the most eco
nomical manner, by contract, or otherwise.
The people did not object to the late contract
on the ground Of its being a contract but simply
on the ground OF its immense price and its duration,
when they knew it could be put out and should have
been, at much lower bid, in equally good hands.
is fatal error to suppose that because the peo-
pie, dissatisfied with Britton, Carnley Il Co. 3 con-
tract that they were, therefore, opposed to contracts
in all iorms-.and consequently in favor of the old
system. II the vote was put tomorrow throughout
the city, submitting simply whether the city should
be cleaned by the most economical contracts, or by
the old system, no doubt exist as to their deci
sion in favor of the former. The straDgest aberra-
ton OF reasoning ever used in delberative body,
the attempt to prove that contract at any price
was more expensive than the old plan. The lowest
amount ever paid under the old plan, was $l3l 600
But, says one Alderman, the present contract 10
most expensive because in addition TO the 64 500,
$l04, 800 Yet, even according to this calculation,
the late high contract was most economical by
$26, 800. But, suppose the Msssrs. Cummings con-
tract had been accepted, the difference, with ma,
nure included. would have been equal to $4l, 900
per annum. Or, suppose the low bid of $24 900,
made by democrat. had been accepted, it would
have made the difference, manure included, of
ST, 900 per annum. AS the late contractors were
perfectly fair TO suppose, II the present Corporation
had felt disposed they could have put the cleaning
of the streets out in division contracts, at sum not
exceeding $4,000 per annum. This sum, with the
manure included, taken from $l3l 900, The lowest
amount of the old system, would have made the
enormous annual difference OF $4,000 dollars
which in ten years would have amounted to 600 600
dollars, Are the people prepared tor this system
ship? II they are, they deserve il all, end ten
times as much. If they can quietly submit TO il,
they would perhaps each man agree to open he
house for kind OF almshouse, in which few idle
voters may be accommodated free Of expense. II a
corporation perpetra.e pluhderng TO this extent
and remain popular, they can carry mountains on
their shoulders. 1t matters not that interested
rabble appauded their conduct; more powerful
class, who dc not nfes the lObbies OF the City Hail.
will be heard with indignant condemnation, al the
proper time. 1t is also utterly untrue that the pro-
position to clean the streets by contract is federal
measure 1t was first agitated by the democrats,
some years since, and was then said TO be opposed
by the wings. But what has the economy of the
measure to do with either party? I have voted with
the democrats up the present time, but if they in
fct this robbery Of 600 per annum on the peo-
ticket. One OF THE PEOPLE.