The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-07-27


made by the medical faculty Of this city to procure
the removal Of the City Inspector, who is, they al
ledge, quite incompetent, and cannot even dis
charge the duties Of common clerk. They pre-
sent. memorial embodying this opinion to the
| Common Council, and asked for his removal A
committee Of investigation accordingly or
dered, aud the result is before us In two reports
one OF the majority, and the other of the minority
| The majority report atfirms that Mr. Leavltt is q
man OF excellent moral character-is not altogether
qualified TO write book on the philosophy of d.
sease-but Is in all respects admirably qualified 10
fulfil the very responsible office of City Inspec-
tor. The minority report states that It was
discovered that Mr.. Leavitt could actually write
ms own name so as to be quite easily deciphered,
but OF his further sttalnments in chrography and
orhography, "deponent saith mol" no opportunity OF
Judging OF that point being afforded, unless certain
entries, which were suspected to be- in his hand
writing, but not admitted by him, were to be taken
AS proof, and If so, II appeared that Mr.. Leavt's
spelling was highly original. and somewhat differ
ent from the vulgar and common mode which pre-
walls amongst Christians who became acquainted
with the dictionary in the years Of their adolescence
or course, Mr.. Leavitt is retained in his off e,
and we think that it would have beep highly i'm
proper to remove him. His appointment is bold,
an original, and highly meritorious experiment -
Il has been almost a universal practice for cons-
derable time past, TO appoint men 10 public
offices who can spell and write, and we all know
very well that great many of them have turned
out great rascals The fact is that the more high.
~ educated and polished these office. holders have
been, the greater has been the extent Of their de-
falcations and n6dellty. We thus to the
conclusion that the appointment OF Mr.. Leavitt Is
only wise experiment Of the new corporation, in
order 10 see If ignorance and incapacity will moi
turn out 10 be the best qualifications for office.
And the Corporation are not without the most
respectable authority for patronlzing and reposing
confidence in such men as the CITY Inspector We
believe it was the learned Dr.. Watls-Dr. Isaac
Wats-who said
"When ignorance is bliss It's folly to be WISE"
The immortal Shakespeare, too, that profound
philosopher, was Of the same opinion. He gives
an account Of one John Cade, Esq, vulgarly call
ed Jack Cade, who very properly mad horror Of
your learned men, as we all remember, in the play
of Henry the Sixth
Code-Dost thou to write thy name7 or hast thou a
mark to thy self like an honest plain dealing mln7
Cis,k.-Sir thank Goi have been so well brought
up that can write my name.
an He hath confessed away with him-hes a vii.
lain and traitor
Cade-Away with him, say. Hang him with his lpen
and ink. horn about his neck.
We might also referto the sagacious remarks 81 a
certain Hlbernlan philosopher, who standing
amongst a crowd collected to see poor wretch
Who had committed forgery, suffer the extreme Pc
| nalty Of the law, in that highly civilized and ex-
ceedlngly Christian country, England. After the
victim had given up the ghost, Patrick, the philo
,o7her, exclaimed, "Arrah, this comes Of larnin to
write /"
II is clear, then, without multiplying authorities,
that the Corporation are Enthusiastically right
most meritorousy right, and We have great plea
sure IN SITTING this experiment down amongst the
items of reform, which we carry the credit Of
new city authorities.