The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-02


THE STREET Observation-Disclosures OF Con-
MISSIONER SMrTH.-The management Of the
Street Department has always been the
chief difficulty in our municipal govern
ment- Through the complex machinery
of that branch Of the government nearly
all the frauds, informalities and mystiica.
tions which characterized the administration
of local affairs found an easy development.
But since the accession of Commissioner Smith
to Office an entire reform has been accom-
plshed in the Street Department; frauds have
ceased 70 be committed, and the gigantic mass
Of informal and fraudulent matter which he
found there upon entering upon his duties has
been carefully overhauled and skilfully ad-.
justed.
At the last meeting Of the Common Council
in 1859, Mr. Smith presented his annual report,
which appeared in the HERALD Of yesterday as
an appropriate part of the history of important
events for the past year. Mr.. Smith states that
the present condition of his department ia as
perfect and satisfactory as II is possible 10 be
under the lave now governing it, The work
ing of its machinery throughout the year has
been systematic and economical, upon a plan
introduced by Mr.. Smith, and based upon that
of the Bureau Of Construction under the Trea-
sury Department Of the United States.
During the year acquisitions have been
drawn upon the Comptroller to the amount of
one million Eve hundred and ninety thousand
nine hundred and ten S9.lOO dollars, of which
one million two hundred and ninety-one thou
eand eight hundred and fifteen dollars were
for objects and purposes provided for by
tax, and two hundred and ninety-nine thou
sand ninety five 81 100 dollars wcrc on trust &C
count The City Treasury will be reimbursed
for the latter by assessment upon the property
benefited.
All the bureaus Of the department have been
efficiently conducted by their several officers
except the Bureau Of Roads, in which dide-
renee was found between the amount of certain
materials furnished for road covering and
the amount charged for in the vouchers
Of the Superintendent An investigation
led 70 the resignation of that official,
and Mr.. Smith promptly aud properly
put the whole matter into the hands of the
District Attorney and Superintendent of Police,
thereby discharging bis portion Of the duty in
manner which il would beGt those officials to
initiate.
Mr. Smith entered upon his Office in the midst
of difficulties, after series Of diagraceful con-
troversies and legal actions which left the de-
partment in almost inextricable confusion.
The Encouragement Of his predecessors had
left the affairs of the Office in such condition
that he had much to undo before he could COM
mence his own duties For years If ever be-
fore, the Street Department has not been con-
Quoted with the same ability, industry and
integrity which Mr.. Smith has manifested, and
we have no doubt that he speaks correctly
when he says:
notwithstanding tina. many irregularities have almost
necessarily occurred in the various branches this co
pick aud extended business, nothing within my know
ledge has been done which did admit OF ready correc
ton or the prevention OF repetition except in the matter
Of the Bureau OF Roads, 70 which ausion has already
been made.
Mr.. Smith has established rule the impor-
lance Of which will be perceived when we con-
slider that a million and half is expended an
Aosiiiy Ala LAC CtitSt DepaieuIcHt iuu WUcQ NC
remember that previous Street Commissioners
claimed the books and papers Of the Office as
their own private property, and used them &C
cordingly. He Gays -
In the administration OF the business Of this depart
mont since my FIRST connection with IT, tic folio wing prn
cip5 have Deen constantly insist upon and risdiy a6-
hered to, vlz-1ta official written record should be
kept Of every transaction plain require nc epll-
nacp that such records shord at sill convenient times
Go opeued TO public inspection, aad ttst the booka &C
counts. correspondence AID papers Of every kind por
tanning to this department should be ana held as
pubic property belonging TO The oice, and not 10 the
officer.
Mr.. Smiths term Of office does not expire
anti next November; and If at that time Mayor
Wood should see fit to make any change in the
Street Department, we only trust that he will
select successor to the present incumbent
equally qualified to perform the duties of Street
Commissioner. If he does that, the public and
the taxpayers will have reason to rejoice, for
Mr.. Smiths administration has proved entirely
satisfactory in redeening the department from
its worst evils
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