The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-17

Wncn the lalter HuaiI nave pteu properly
developed.
THE SrREErs-GoOD NEws.-We have some
light about the manner in which the new Street
Commissioner, Mr.. George G. Glazier, has dis
charged his duty. A few Of the down town
streets have been annoyed by the presence Of
an occasional cart, accompanied by half do
zen brooms and since the first day of April,
the expenses Of the department have amounted
to eighty eight thousand eight hundred and
three dollars and seventy-seven cents--a sum
which ought to suffice to keep the whole city
as neat as new scrubbed kitchen-foor, during
six months Genin can do better than this.
Mr. Glazier also gives us some infor-
nation about the street contracts. We
| asked for it some time since; but as
our city officers are not generally distin-
guished fur the possession Of a large amount
OF information relative to those subjects upon
content to wait. We are now informed that the
contracts have been concluded, and that the
work under them will commence to-day. This
is well. We are glad that the contracts have
been completed, although it has taken a lolg
time to bring about the end. We published IN
the HERALD of yesterday list Of the contract
ors, the sum paid to each, with the names of
their securities attached. 1t is to be hoped
that this serious beginning will not have a far
cical ending. 1t is to be hoped that Mr.. Glazier
will make himself immortal by paying great
deal Of attention to business, and by endeavor-
ing to have the terms of the contracts fully
complied with. By these terms the contract
ors are bound to sweep the streets and cart off
the swecpings twice every week, and also to
remove all ashes, garbage, DC, at the same
time. Broadway and other great thorough
fares are to undergo course Of hoe and broom
three times week, and the work is to be com
pleted before seven o'clock in the morning in
summer, and eight in winter.
Now this is all very well; and if it is proper
ly carried out, the name of Glazier will be for.
ever a household word in the mouths Of all de-
cent people. The curious reader, however, will
notice with suspicion these facts: During three
months Mr.. Glazier has succeeded in keeping
few down town streets comparatively clean:
some portions of the upper part Of the island
have not been cleaned at ALL and certain streets
lot far from the City Hall have been visit
ed but once during this period, by cart and
broom. To do this, Mr.. Glazier has spent
nearly ninety thousand dollars; but the con-
tractors, with modesty which, under other
circumstances, we could not praise too highly,
agree to keep the whole city clean for
one year for the comparatively small sum
Of one hundred and ffty-two thousand
seven hundred and forty-fve dollars. This
great discrepancy between what has really been
done and what is promised is almost enough
to make those people who have lost their faith
in their fellow men, believe that we are in
danger Of returning to those halcyon but dirty
days when the contractors shared the money
with the Street Commissioner, when the sure.
ties were mythical individuals, and when our
streets resembled Western prairies covered
with ancient mounds.
We fear that the amended charter does not
take the proper ground in this important mat
ter of street cleaning. Experience, that best
OF teachers, has shown us that the sum which
the people pay is not material, providing they
set something for it.
MIR. Glazier should have fair trial-the new
contractors should have a fair trial: but at the
same time sharp lookout should be kept on
all the parties concerned. We can go back to
Mr.. Genin and a provisional government at
any time.