The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-04

as the polished Partisan.
OPERA MovEMENrs-ArrEMpr AT ITS RE-EsrA-
BIIsHMENr.-One Of our contemporaries, in eu-
logising the ability and requirements of Mr.. Fry
who has undertaken to create world out of no
thing and to re-esabish the Italian Opera in this
city during the next season-states that the gentle
man in question has already sent directions to
Italy for the Importation of additional Opera sing
ers, both male and female.
We by no means approve of this contemplated
importation. 1t is on par with the bunder, and
error, and folly which the old managers of the
Aston Place Opera committed; and which has
caused its failure in the face of as prosperous q
season as they had any right to expect. The old
Opera management sent Sanquirico to Italy, and
imported double and treble sets of Opera singers,
at great expense, without any judlcious arrange
nient, but costing an immense expense, which
swallowed up their receipts, that they could not
continue the season or pay their debts. We are
credibly informed that the aggregate receipts OF
the Opera, before it was broken down, were over
seventy thousand dollars; yet, in consequence Of
bad management, their expensive arrangements,
and their ridiculous conduct, they have failed to
meet their debts, by about sixteen or seventeen
thousand dollars-besides, we believe, cheating the
subscribers out Of one-third of their subscription
money.
fMr. Fry intends to pursue the same lavish and
grasping system of inviting number of new vo-
casts from Italy to this country, while there are
plenty here, he will end as the late trumpery mana
gers did. We have materials enough in this coun-
try for two excellent Opera companies, perfect in
every respect. What is the use, therefore, in send
ing for further materials paying their passage mo-
ney, paying them for doing nothing, and wasting
the profits on ambitious and foolish arrangements!
1t would, indeed, be jumping out of the frying pan
into the fire.
CLEAN STREETs.-We find, In pursuance of a
resolution passed in the Board of Assistant AL
dermen, in relation to cleaning the streets, that
the committee of that board have taken the matter
up, and made report on the 22d of May last. We
not informed whether il has been acted on or
not; but if not, it ought to be taken in hand mme-
diately by both Boards, as it seems to US to con-
tain some excellent suggestions; indeed, the COM
mittee recommend doing away, altogether, with
the present system They very pointedly state
"that the system, if system it may be called, is
wrong, and that the city will never be blessed with
clean streets, nor be rid of the tremendous and
are now subject, until it is abolished, and some
other plan adopted"
Experience has fully proved the truth of this
statement. For years the street cleaning depart
ment has been going on from bad to worse. The
greater the expenditure and outlay of money, the
more filthy the streets are kept. This is abundant
ly proved by the fact that in 1885, the expenditure
for cleaning the streets was $l5s, 439 49, while in
1877, the expenses were $lSO,O59. Now every
citizen recollccs, that filthy as the city kept
in 1916, it was at least 70 per cent worse in 1S47
The report contains another very remarkable state
ment, namely, that in 1916 the receipts for the
sale of manure were $4l,242 40, while in lS47
the receipts for manure sold, were only $29,6S7;
showing, contrary to general principles, that the
greater the outlay the less the returns. II this fact
does not PROVE il at least strengthens the hypothc
sis we have above laid down, that the cxtrava-
gancc of this department Of the city government
acts as sort of premium for keeping the streets
dirty.
We cannot understand why the same system
adopted in Paris and London is not pursued in this
city, In both those places, contracts are entered
into with persons by the year, for cleansing the
streets, lanes and alleys of those capitals, and
LOT earning IL away. Inc cohtractoIs nave large
yards, or rcceptacles, at convenient distance from
the city, where 1t is dumped, until sold, and carried
away by the farmers and market gardeners in the
vicinity Of those places. Besides, the contractors
are bound to provide gangs Of laborers at certain
hour every morning, and have the streets cleaned
and in perfect order before the business begins
and we believe that in London and Paris, the sale
of the manure pays or nearly pays, all expenses
Indeed, we know that in London il not only pays
all expenses, but leaves handsome sum to the
credit OF the city treasury. Is surprising, there
fore, that the Corporation does not adopt such
system in this city We think, at least they
should give il trial and in dong so, we would
impress upon them to bind contractors to employ
laborcrs at an early hour in the mornng-say four
or five o'clock-so that the city may be swept
cleaned before business hours, which will greatly
tend 10 preserve the health Of the citizens.