The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-09

Srnnz on rs 5rsxrrO txANnas-whils tAs
public Of New York have been enjoying the
benefits or clean streets. and congratulating
| themselves upon the superior efficiency Of the
Street Inspector, little consideration has been
given to the employees Of the department, their
pay having been withheld during the five
months past This retention Of pay h pro-
ceeding especially cruel towards the cartmsn
and laborers, who, with scarcely an exception.
it may be supposed, are men without means,
requiring their earnings from week to week'for
the subsistence Of themselves and families.
On Saturday morning, their patience exhausted,
and unable to obtain any satisfactory informa-
ton as to when they might hope for the pay
due them, . strike was resolved upon, and
street cleaning entirely ceased. This state OF
things at the present period of the year-the
weather as warm as in midsummer, and the
typhoid fever prevailing, with the fattrying
and bone-boiling nuisances unsbated-is truly
alarming. One weeks neglect of the streets
would send up reeking miasma destructive to
the health Of thousands.
The strike will probably be Of short dura-
ton. The suppositiou is that, through the on
deavors of Inspector Boole and the hoped for
kindness of the City Chamberlain, the men
will receive the whole amount of their back
pay by the middle of the present week.
This heartless Indifference betrayed to the
necessities Of tho laboring poor, as above
mentioned, 1t is proper to state, is in
no way applicable to the City Inspector
much commentator, on the contrary, is due
him for his address in keeping the men
at work so long period under circumstances
SO embarrassing-buti is entirely attributable to
the protracted tampering of the Legislature
with the tax levy and the clog placed upon it,
preventing Its passage, by the so-called Citi-
zens' Reform Association. The public are pretty
well acquainted with the result so far of the
attempted reform; but it is not known what
disastrous consequences may yet follow. Pub
lie opinion will presently require that the
Legislature and the Reform Association be
themselves reformed altogether"
GRANTS 6UccEss-THE EXCITEMENT IN THE
CTTY.-The utmost anxiety was evinced by all
classes on Saturday in regard to the operations
10 Virginia People could talk Of nothing
else. Business was comparatively suspended.
serious calm prevailed throughout the me-
tropolis. The little news published during the
day did not satisfy the public mind, because It
was confessedly unreliable and unofficial The
news 10 Sunday mornings HERALD, however,
was received eagerly, and the announcement OF
Buffers debsrkation Of troops above Bermuda
Hundred, on the James river, and of the re-
ported success Of General Grant in the Will
derness were heartily cheered throughout tho
city.
But when we issued an extra HERALD, ct
about one o'clock yesterday, the excitement
was most intense. Crowds assembled around
our Office with the celebrity of magic. A
moment before the streets were almost de-
serted-now they swarmed with men. Our
extra contained the despatch from Secretary
Stanton to General Dix, which We republish
this morning. The despatch was carefully
| and automatically worded, but it evidently
| meant . victory. 1t claimed nothing but il
stated triumphant facts That there were six
or eight thousand Of our wounded proved that
heavy battle had been fought; that the
wounded were being sent to Washington
| proved that our rear was all right and the
lines Of communication perfect; that requisi-
tons had been made for seven days grain
rations, and for railroad construction trains,
proved that the army was advancing Conse-
quently as there had been battle, and Is We
were still advancing, we must have won q
victory.
This was the peoples logic, and it was ire
futable Our second extra, containing the news
Of General Buffers occupation of Petersburg
clenched the argument Clearly, everything was
working we'll The approach to the rebel capital
was steady and sure, and the mastery plan o..
the campaign became partially revealed to the
public. AS the good news spread there was
great cheering, and people congratulated each
other as upon some personal good fortune
Especial satisfaction was expressed at the
promise OF Secretary Stanton to withhold
nothing from the public, and to issue accurate
official statements Of information received.
This course was resolved upon in compliance
with our repeated suggestions, and it at once
disarmed Madame Rumor and inspired public
confidence in the state OF affairs at the front.
Bad news loses half its terror when it is truly
told. Good news is doubly welcome when it
comes quickly. Nothing is SO suspicious as
that which is concealed.
ANOTHER ARCTIC EXPLORING EXPEDITION
The already famous explorer of the Arctic
region, Mr.. c. p. Hall, announces his intention
OF starting upon another expedition about the
middle Of June next He will sail first for King