New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-07
STREET CLEANING.

The Common Council Will meet this evening" ahd'
i, is said immediately adjourn until September. In
view Of very impor tant collision between the Com
missioner Of Streets and Lamps aud the Contractors
for cleaning streets whereby the entire work either
is or soon will be suspended we trust the City Lessia
tire will reconsider their determination and remainln
session OF least long enough to heal this ieud or Pro'de
other and sufficient for keeping the stree's OF
der-those means not to be under the control OF Mr.
Glszier. This functouary had done everything IN
his pow err to prevent even the experiment OF CONTRACT
work: but when he was finally compelled to give OUT
the contracts, we did not anticipate that he wouii
again 90 soon hold the entire City the pubic health
and public decency, subject to his caprice us ouy
three weeks since he was forced, much against MS
will to carry out the plan OF contracts contemplatei
in the amended charter yet he presumes to nefpose
NJ the very first moment and practically nullify the
whole scheme.
The contractors, who have of course been at con-
siderable expense to get the brooms, hoes shoves,
carts boats and men to commence business, come to
Mr. Glszier with their bills, and ask him to sligo them
that they may draw from the Treasury the amount
stipulated in the contracts. But he according
to the statement of the contractors hatly re-
fuses either to sign or to tell why he will
their ,uretes and entered upon the work in good
faith; that they incurred very great expenses in get
ting started; that they faithfully performed their du
ties for two weeks, during which time they removed
dirt ashes and garbage TO extent never before done
in an equal tme that they depended upon the prompt
psyment of their semmonthy instaments for IN cans
to proce ed with the work. and finally that they are
unable and unwilling to continue the enterprise with
out prospect Of remuneration. In consequence OF
this state of things, they have appointed committee
10 meet the Common Council tonight, and lay the
case before that body. Evidently something must be
done in the premises 1t is cut OF the question 10
peril the public health by suffering dirt aud garbage
TO accumulate in the streets. The Common Council
either as Aldermen aud Councilmen, or IS Board OF
Health, must SEQ to it that prompt and ample pro-
vision for cleanliness is made.
The Street Cleaning Department has for three years
teen scandal and disgrace to the City. From the
Commissioner downward it has harbOred host OF in
efficient and dishonest men-men who seem to have
no motive and no aim but spos. 1t is matter OF
very great interest TO the prospective Tammany and
Rum Alliance that the control of the funds of this
Department shall be wrested from Mr.. Flagg aud
every effort, honest dishonest, will be made to
produce that result Mr. Glazer is no doubt anxious
to clean the streets himself Under that pretext
he could make a good many nice places and
dsburse q good NAM Thousands of dollars for the
benefit Of the worst enemies Of City Reform. By
d discriminating of this patronage, many indie.
pendent and patriotic voters could be duly cOncated
between now and next November, and thereby much
capital be made against Temperance and Reform.
Backed by his distinguished free-rum patron, Mayor
NJ ha a Of oh in
the canvass, and perhaps may be pardoned for the
vanity of believing that he would have ut his disposal
the fate of half the candidates whose eyes should be
fixed upon the Citys oayes and fishes.
The people understand this old ele pioneering sys-
TEN fully and have suffered enough by it nyears gone
by-cspecially by the Street. Cleaning and Lighting
Departments, the vast patronage OF which has more
than once controlled our local elections We think
the present Common Council will hardly risk the
possibility ola repetition Of such scenes by allowing
Mr. Glazer in tie short course of two weeks to
throw the long sought contract system and triumph
antly proclaim its failure. If il should fail he is no.
torouy unfit to control the cleaning of the streets,
and it will become the duty Of the Board of Health
to put the work once more in the hands of the City
Inspector But trust that the contractors will be
paid and allowed to 60 on, that is if they have, as
they aver, rius far done their duty.
We repeat that the Common Council are looked to
in this difference between Mr.. Glazer and the Street
Contractors, to either that the hindrance is re-
moved and the work pushed ahead by the Contractors
that some other prompt and efficient measures be
taken to cleanse the streets and preserve the public
health. That done, let them adjourn for Saratoga
Newport as soon as they please
RETALIATION.