The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-27

caution adopted by the different legislatures forpro
teetine the lives and limbs Of railroad travellers as
there is in the nations Of the old country, and as
there ought TO be in this. Our railroads are not
made as substantial and as enduring as they are in
England, and this is one cause of accidents, and
also Of the slow travelling, which frequently does
not far exceed the speed of stage drawn by horses
The bringing of actions for damages against conf
panies for injuries sustained by accidents, will
tend in some measure to check the evil, but not al
together Some comprehensive laws on the subject
are required Prevention is better than cure.
THE TEN GOVERNORS OF THE AIMS HOUSE.
WHERE is THE ANNUAL REPORT 1.-The Ten
Governors of the Aims House are bound by law to
make their annual report long before this. What
arc they about or what has become of the docu- |
ment? We are anxious to see how they will |
answer the stubborn facts and figures we recently |
placed before the public. Meantime, as the report
is not yet issued, would ask the " Ten Govern
ors' to throw some light upon the following facts in
addition to those have already submitted to them,
and show if they can in what respect the public or
the institution is benefited by their expensive and
despotic regime.
In 1913, the department was under the control of
five commissioners, appointed by the Common Coun-
Gil. In that year there were supported an average
number of $500 persons, at an expense to the
city of 1921, 1872. This sum included every
thing = the support of the inmates, repairs to
the buildings, and all incidental expenses. In
1876, the department managed by one
commissioner, elected by the people. His accounts
were subject to the examination of the Comptroller
and the Finance Committee Of the Common Coun-
ell During that year, there were supported in the
department an average of 1928 persons, at cost
for maintenance, repairs. &c., of to which
should be added for salaries about $55, OOO--making
the total cost of the department that year, $780,
729. In 1851 under the entire and absolute control
Of the Ten Governors there were supported an aver
age number Of 1893 persons--total expense to the
city for maintenance and repairs, according to the
report Of the Comptroller, $47O.595
Now, in 1916, there were supported OPS per-
sons more than in lS43, at an additional cost Of
So, $40, or $s4 % per head, being 81 81 per week
for each person. In 1851, 0aer the Ten Governors,
there were maintained ,5ss persons more than in
1913, at an increased expense of $2l9,4l2 20, or
$l42 rs per year, or ~ 36 per week for each per-
son and for 405 persons more in 1851 than in 1916,
at increasing expense Of $lS2S6 20, or $32S 10
per head, or So II for each person per week
In the amount we have stated the cost Of the de-
|
expended on the workhouse buildings, which, when
added, makes the snug little sum Of $5l5595 "a,
of which these very philanthropic gentlemen have
had the disposal for the last year. We hope we
shall have full true and particular account Of all
the items in the forthcoming report.
OF the increase of expenses for 1851 over the ex-
penses for ls43 $4l FPS is for salaries Perhaps the
Ten Governors will inform US what the dire neces-
hot cd ha of 1or
an additional sum for salaries, when there are no
more institutions now than then. 1t may be said
that there is IN additional number of inmates. Let
us see how far the plea of necessity be urged
that score. Of the 1888 increase of inmates, up
wards Of 1000 are children, at the nurseries RAN
dall's Island, and 1l2 at the Colored Orphan
Asylum, POO persons at Bellevue Hospital, and
about 200 at the Lunatis Asylum. No officers are
provided by the department for the colored nstitu-
ton. There is, therefore, necessity for in
crease of officers except in the Bellevue Hospital
tho Lunatc Asylum, and the nurseries, and in these
institutions all that required was the addi.
ton of few assistant matrons and nurses
Perhaps, however, when the report comes out
we shall get light on the subject, and learn
why it is that officials have been employed who
for a long time. have performed other duty than
taking the trouble Of calling to receive their saa
ries-and what extra duties have been imposed on
other officials to make it necessary to increase their
salaries each some hundreds Of dollars-and why il
that table at the Lunatic Asylum for the officers
(under the curious head Of marketing,O at cost
of $3,477 50, is more necessary than at the other
institutions.
As to the contracts to which we adverted in a for
mer article, it is not to be presumed that these
highly honorable gentlemen-these stem righteous
in Gotham-should be guilty of violating the laws
which prohibit their being interested directly OIL
indirectly in any contract for supplies, for any
other purpose connected with any of the institutions
or of any arrangement by which pecunary benefit
shall result to themselves" But suppose they should
violate the provisions Of the act, what is the con-
sequence? 1t is awful to contemplate According
to the laws Of New York State, 1919, p. 36S, sec
ST." It shall be the duty Of either Governor who
may have any knowledge or information Of the
violation Of this provision forthwith to report the
same to the board"
EBB TIDE.-During the Jenny Lind mania, when
concert tickets from fifty cents, to ten, fifteen
twenty, and two hundred dollars piece prices in
variety of other matters rose in like proportion.
All the hotels during this mania, increased their
board and charges, some from 81 to g. and somo
from 81 90 to ~ 90. Since then, however, we be-
leve all are returning to their senses. Concert
tickets are down to fifty cents again, and some to
twenty-five cents. All the principal hotels are
coming down also. The Irving House and other
hotes--all beginning to run over-are at their old
figure agan--$2 day and no questions asked
NBLo's THEATRE.-Thc English version of Aubcrs
French comic opera entitled Z The Black Domino re-
ccivcd its second representation at Nibos evening
with Madame Anna Thillon Juanita The popularity
of this pleasing singer and apparent in tho
overlooking house that she drew night The thoa
was so crowded that many who arrived were glad TO
get accommodation the stairs and in the passage
Madame Thillon played and sung in the fascinating
style peculiar to her but without clicitng much sp-