New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-07
RIGHTS OF PROPERTY.

The report of the Legislative Committee on
Tenant houses in New York, which will be found
in another column, affords most instructive com
mentary upon two theoretical dogmas which have
very warm advocates in this city-the dogma of the
absolute and indeensible right of propertyholders
to the enjoy ment of their property free from Legs-
lative interference, from which naturally enough
springs, as a corollary, the dogma of absolute
Free Trade.
The report of the Committee to which we have
referred may be regarded as a complete practical
refutation of both these dOgmas SO far, at least as
relates to the business Of letting houses in this add
other cities. Everybody must see at once that
wholly apart from any sentiment of humanity, the
great law of sepreservation calls with the loudest
of voices for legislative interference as to this
matter, and that Of the most decided and peremp-
tory sort. Such ant-bouses as this report de-
scribes are at once hotbeds of pestilence, whence
every summer deadly plague threatens to break
out and to desOlate the city, and at the same time
hotbeds of destitution and crime, imposing upon
the city enormous expenses for the relief Of sick
paupers and for the trial, arrest and punishment: of
criminals.
The law of the United States strictly prescribes
the sort of vessels in which passengers shall be
transported hther from foreign countries the Kind
Of accommodations which they shall have, and the
lumber Of persons which may be brought in each
vessel. Are not similar regulations still more
nect ssary for the benefit of these passengers
after they have landed 10 this city and OF our own
native poor, born and educated among us! AyOy-
al - Co. h.. bar
may last for months aud in spts Of cholera, typhus
fever, and whisky, even for years 1t is perfectly
evident that this is matter in which it will not do
to trust to the humanity or decency Of landlords, to
the bargaining capacity Of tenants, or TO the wise
| seli-interest OF either. The law must interpOse
with strong hand and prescribe certain requisites
which every tenant house must possess, in default
of which the landlord shall not only forfeit his rent
but shall be subjected TO some round penalty be-
side. 1t ought not to be lawful to let any house
for hire, which is not in condition Of tenantable
repair which is not supplied with water light, and
air, and which is not duly provided with
certain other cOnvenences as essential
10 health as they are to comfort. There is just
much reason and necessity for regulating these
things inside of houses as for regulating sidewalks
streets and common sewers outside of them. Nor
ought any house to be let to be occupied by more
than limited number Of persons; while in cases
of the occupancy of one house by several distinct
families, the landlord ought to be bound to make
provision for keeping the approaches and common
passages in decent order.
So much the Legislature is clearly bound to do,
and We have no doubt will do. Inspectors of tenant
houses are no. lees needed than health and fire
wardcns; nor do we doubt that in spite of Com
stocks on and off the bench, means will be found
to restrict the rights of property within limits con-
sistent with that public good which indeed furnishes
the only reason Why the right of property is recog
nized at all