The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-11
Address OF tho Peoples Committee
TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK.

TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK.
At meeting of the citizens of New York. held in the
Park Tuesday, the 18th nst committee of two from
each ward appointed to devise such measures as
might be deemed necessary to the immediate and
thorough cleaning Of Streets and also obtain such
amendment of our city charter should amply pro-
vide for the permanent preservation of city here
after in state of cleanliness COMFORTING with the health
comfort reputation and business interests of her cit
That stern and painful necessity existed for
efficient and instantaneous action upon this subject from
quarter universally admitted The dsgracefu
condition of New York in consequence of the unparalleled
accumuations of almost every species of filth in her
streets and alleys and on her public grounds the
theme of reproachful remark in every mouth. Almost
every interest of her citizens private and public
suffering serious detrment from this evil and her good
name the attractive metropolis of the United States
rapidly sinking into degradation and contempt This
grievance was becoming daily aggravated and in
tolerabe The warm season rapidly approaching and
the consequences which must inevitably flow from
the existing condition of the city, suffered to continue
were awakening in all the thoughtful and rejecting
amongst u.s. the most painful apprehensions. Our NUM-
cpal authorities had been called upon in for many
months to afford tho necessary relief Those officials,
upon whom the people supposed they had specially do
voved the responsibility of caring for this important
interest," refused to act and justified their refusal
the ground that the charter under which they had been
elected invested them with no power adequate to sue
cessful discharge of their trust. Under these circum
stances there seemed hope Of relief but from tho
action of the people, in their primary capacity Accord
ngy Respectable portion Of our citizens met and
to this great grievance and their deep determination to
have it Immediately removed. As the first measure
committed representing every ward Of the city, and for
the purposes above stated. Happily, the action taken
by the Board of Aldermen and Board of Councilmen
since the above meeting of the people, relieves the
mitee from any necessity of acting for the present
lief Of the city As sanitary measure the Board of
Health have been fully empowered to cleanse and purify
streets, and with the most commendable promptness
that Board have already adopted and
efforts which Of the most promising and gratifying
character But this movement is designed and adapted
only to reach the present emergency For the avoidance
of similar evils in the future some other remedy
be adopted; and that which this committee particu
larry instructed to seek, is such amendment of
charter shall definitely invest some one department Of
local government with the full responsibility and the
necessary power to preserve city in that state of
cleanliness and purity which highest interests, pri
yate and municipal, demand. Such department would
necessarily be clothed with most important powers and
the faithful exercise of its high functions and duties
erected against corruption the hand and mbecity
on the other That department whose responsibilities
should relate exclusively to this great interest of New
York. could be successfully organized and practically ad
nnistred in entire harmony with the other branches of
city government and to the ncalculable benefit Of
our common interests as people, the committee enter
tain the slightest doubt Under our present amend
ed charter it is extremely difficult if utterly impos
sibe, to decide where among constituted municipal
authorities the responsibility in relation to this nomen
tous concern chiefly rests The powers OF the Street
Commissioner appear certainly too limited to enable him
fully to carry into execution what supposed to be the
design OF his Office The Comptroller pay out moneys
dre only far appropriations for that pur
have duly been made by the Board of Councilman;
and in addition, he is clothed with discretionary
power in regard 10 giving Withholding his approval of
vouchers, which rendered necessary to draw any
moneys from the city treasury The practical results of
this division Of responsibility have abundany proved it
TO be unwise and injurious The most disastrous picture
attends the working Of this part of the machinery of
amended government. We therefore propose to seek
such alteration in 1t bitter experience shows
that need and we respectfully and earnestly request
fellow citizens to give their sanction to
ment and by petitions to. the legislature in such
other forms shall seem to them best to assist in
carrying through measure which believe to be
senta TO the great and permanent interests of city
G. N. MIDDLEBRoOK, Chairman.
S Ma Wmns Secretaries.
The Streets and the Mud.
The work Of cleaning the city yesterday COM
menced, although the state of the weather would
not allow as much to be done as was intended by
the City Inspector. In several streets dirt carts
greeted the eye, though most engaged in carry
ing away the ashes and garbage upon the sidewalks,
instead of the mud the streets 1t win require one or
two fair days, and good northwest wind to reduce the
mud to consistency that be shovelled and carted
In its present sushy and liquid state it is useless to
general operations Mr. Downing Is ready to
begin the good work nature favors him with
propitous weather. Let us hope 1t may soon.
Burns the teller OF the Lewis County Bank who ran