New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-07

! partment trust they will be found fulfilling tner
whole duty. Toe practice OF Deglectius Tue MI
nor, but most densey populated streets IS nov
! only gTieVousy wrong, and manIiestly UNJUST 70
those residing therein but is absolutely detrinen-
mental to the health Of the City FOR it is an ac-
kpoWedged truth, that the accumulation OF DIRT N
the narrow streets, inhabited generally BY the
poorer class Of our citizens invariably generates
disease; and during the prevalence OF epidemic or
CONTAGIOUS diseases, experience has demonstrated
that that the ratio of mortality in these locations
is much greater than in any other portions OF the
CITY, no matter what may be the character oil the
population. That our streets can be kept clean
{ has been demonstrated, on occasions Wnea our
City has been threatened or visited by an ePi,
demc; and our citizens. who cheeriully submitted
to be taxed for the heavy expenditures OF this de-
partment have a right 70 expect that the streets
shall always be maintained in such condition;
that no extraordinary exertons shall be again re-
quired to meet any similar emergency.
But while the authorities are ready and willing
TO perform all in their power Tor the attainment oil
sn end so desirable their efforts must be unavail-
ing unless they sustained by the corporations
of our citizens in observing faithfully the ordlnan
ces providing against the throwing OF garbage, &c.
into the street and trust that the proper officers
will inforce 10 the extreme oil the law, tue penal
tics imposed for the violation of these sautary
regulations l understand that compliant is made
that parties complained of for violating these ordl.
napces and arrested by policemen, are so ire
.t..a
Ouently discharged without any punishment what
ever beyond brief reprimand, that the oihcers
become discouraged, and hesitate to perform again
the disagreeable but important duty OF reporting
or srresting parties guilty oil similar onenses. II
these complaints are wellfounded, and the arrests
Justly made, great injustice is done not only to the
officers who are held responsible for the proper
and faithful discharge oftheir duty, but also to the
CITY, for whose benefit these wise regulations
were framed the observance OF which is so neces'
sary to the health and comfort OF our citizens.
Pavements.
The subject of Pavements, with special refer
ence TO the great thoroughfares, has been brought
TO the attention of the authorities with aview to
some radical change as well in the system as the
manner of laying them down; and various plans
have been submitted, having those ends In vle"
Some experiments have been made, and IN near
" all cases the object sought TO be obtaned-ylz;
permanency, evenness OF surface and reasonable
economy, have not been secured.
1t is matter of frequent and just complaint
that the great thoroughiares are almost constantly
DISTRACTED at some point by repairs to the pave
ments which are in progress, and such must con-
tinue TO be the case until the cobble-stone pave.
uent can be replaced by some more durable and
serviceable With reference to the pavement
laid in Broadway from Chambers to Morris street,
at a very great expense, it presents undoubtedly
MANY advantages over all others yet tested; but
il is not free from defects. 1t is exceedingly ex-
pensive and experience has demonstrated that
where it has become necessary to take up any por'
ton, it cannot be rslaid with the same evehness
of surface 1t is also constantly wearing smooth
err and accidents by the falling of horses from this
cause are of daily occurrence am inlosin .ht r
rsrtias uau ast anintcd with the supJeCt, InhI II
the size of the blocks could be reduced one'hali,
this defect would doubtless be remeded; but this,
| learn, cannot be accomplished without adding
largely to the expense, which is now much great
er than for any other species of pavement
But while presenting these objections to this
pavement. land they have long been tue subject oil
general remark,l | am not nsensible to the fact
that it is undoubtedly the best ever in use In this
CITY, and it Is kept clean with more facility and at
less expense than any other aud, SO Tar as can be
judgedSt promises great durability
would direct the attention of your honorable
BODY to the fact that out of the sum OF $4,000 600
which it is proposed to raise by the issue OF bonds
for various purposes there is q SUM oil SoOO,OOOto
be expended on pavements This is, in addition
to the amount which will be expended for the
pavements on " trust account, and tromthe tenor
of the report of the Committee on Repairs and
Supplies made to the Controller, the inference IS
fair that this sum is TO be expended on the p" Russ
Il Reid or some similar kind OF pavement l
think the appropriation and application OF so large
sum for pavement so expensive should he care
fully weighed and trust it will not be made an.
I'll experience has more significantly demonstrated
thatit contains those requisites which 1t should be
our aim to attain viz durability and tue econo-
my.
The operations of the department having IN
charge the lighting OF the City, viii be so soon
officially presented TO your Honorable Body, tina.
/ need not anticipate the report from the head OF
that department by presenting any statistical IN
formation.
Bv the terms of the contract with the gas com.
pauies, they are required to light street lamps in
which mains are laid and the lamps thus lighted
are entirely under their control so lar as
the expenses for lighting and cleaning are
concerned, all being included inlthe contract
By virtue of this provision, the superintendent
of Lamps and Gas has during the past year set
about seven hundred gas posts. Apart from any
considerations Of the great advantage which gas
has over oil in point OF utility, great saving VIII
be effected by enabling the department to dis
pense with large number OF lampllghters now
paid by the City to light and clean the oil lamps.
IL is is acknowledged, however. that two gas
lamps give more light than three lighted with oil,
thus making the expense OF gas less than OIL
and there is no prospect OF any reduction In tue
price of the latter article. Every citizen, am
sure would gladly witness, ii II were possible,
ard at anv expense, the immediate substitution
of gas for oil in every street throughout the City
Phase views being entertained by the community
at large the course of the department IN substi-
tutDg as rapidly as possible gas tor OH, meets my
hearty approval
In reviewing the present condition Of the City,
cannot refrain from congratuating you and our
constituents on the present admirable state OF tne
volunteer military force Of the City. The excel
lent discipline of many Of the corps the cheerful
and Jealous spirit in which all the members de-
vote themselves to the laboriOus and expensive
/ duties which they have voluntarily assumed, de-
{ serve the gratitude and respect Of the whole
community Secure in the patriotism and courage
] - gvldf IA
can be here maintained in any exigency without
/ leeions Of nercenaries, such as those by which
the peace Of the capitals Of Europe is maintained.
Before closing this communication, would in.
vite your most serious attention to the destitute
condition of that large class Of children so torciby
alluded to by the Chief Of Police in his report OF
last wear. He there informs as that more than