The New York herald., 1865-01-20

- D SeAASAUi0 wow VI INC 5uDJOos V"A ~sASA-
mond philosopher is right in setting down the
fall of Fort Fisher as "a blessing in Disguise"
Municipal Anairs-Work for the Legisla-
tive Committee.
At the meeting of the Board Of Aldermen on
Monday last two important communications
were received. One from City Inspector Boole,
in regard to the street sweeping imbroglio, we
published on Tuesday. The other, from Comp
troller Brennan, in regard to the gas contracts,
wiH be found in our news columns this morn
ing. We hope that our readers will attentively
peruse these two communications, which are
better written and of greater interest than pub
Lie documents in general. They refer to a state
of facts and open up branches Of investigation
especially important to the excellent commit
tee just appointed by the Legislature to exam
ine and report upon our municipal affairs. In
both OF these communications, it will be
observed, severe criticisms are made upon the
actions Of the Citizens Association-an irre-
sponsible, unauthorized and mischievous body
of men, who are to be happily superseded by
Judge Munger, of Rochester; Senator White, of
Onondaga, and Senator Humphreys, of Buffalo,
the regularly appointed Legislative committee.
To take up these documents in the order of
their publication, we first call the attention Of
the committee to the letter from City Inspector
Boole. Rightfully or wrongfully, this gentle
man has been subjected to the continual inter-
ference of the Citizens Association in the dis
charge of his duties It is quite time that the
questions raised concerning him should be def
nitely settled, and that the city should no
longer be exposed to the evils of dirt and
disease whenever o member Of the Associa-
tion chooses to apply. for an injunction.
We do not intend at this time to decide upon
the matters in dispute. II the city can be
thoroughly cleaned for three hundred thousand
dollars year, let us have it done; but if such
economy be impossible, and the offers hitherto
made by outside parties be simply traps to
'evade the provisions Of the law and catch the
City Inspector let US know these facts, and let
the work proceed at the lowest necessary price.
We believe that New York city ought to be the
cleanest city in the world, and that it could be
rendered SO at a comparatively cheap rate; but
nothing can be done while this continual squab-
cisely what they ought to pay for neat,
healthy city, and they are willing to pay it. The
taxes are never SO heavy as the doctors bills.
But for the past few years we have been
cropping in the dark, confused by the quarrels
between officials; and the wrangles of the self
constituted Citizens Association have done
nothing towards setting matters straight. We
rely upon the Legislative Committee to do jus
tice 10 all concerned. In his communication to
the Common Council the City Inspector appears
to court legitimate investigation; and this has
always seemed to be his position. Governor
Seymour once had the whole case before him,
and tacitly acknowledged that it contained
nothing to the City Inspectors discredit
Nevertheless, we do not suppose that there
will be the slightest objection to new and
thorough examination Of this matter by the
Legislative Committee, and the people will
anxiously await their full report.
The communication of Comptroller Brennan
Is in relation to the recent action of the Com
mon Council terminating the existing contracts
for lighting the city Of New York with gas, and
providing that new contracts shall be made
upon such terms as the gas monopolsts may
offer. Against this "big job" Us President Lin
coin would call it, the Comptroller takes
to the subject, as he rectes them, are conclu-
sive The city is simply giving up good con-
tract, not yet expired, in order to accept an
other upon the monopolists' own terms. We
are surprised that Mayor Gunther, who has
attempted to ally himself with the so-called
reform party, should allow such measure to
pass the Common Council without interposing
his veto. Certainly we have never encountered
more outrageous imposition upon the people
of this taxburdened city. As the Comptroller
remarks, "no man would surrender fair and
valid contract beneficial to himself, simply in
order to allow the other party to increase the
prices, and bind himself to pay whatever that
interested party should choose to dcmand;'
and, II no business man would do this, why
should our city? Accordingly, the Comptroller
earnestly and honestly protests against il, and
refuses to sanction it Fortunately it il required
by law that the bids for the new contracts shall
be opened in the presence Of the Comptrol-
Ter, and by that requirement the Comptroller
hopes to annihilate this job. "I shall not
attend or be present at any opening for
bids for the proposed substituted contracts" !"
says he, sand shall in no manner recognize
them" Here is subject for the investigation
Of the Legislative Committee; for II the Comp
troller persists in this righteous determination
our streets may soon be as dark as midnight,
just as they were recently heaped with ashes.
The gas monopolies must be compelled to come
TO terms, or they must be broken up; and that
Is the work before the Legislative Committee,
which is composed Of men who, like Comptrol-
Ter Brennan, cannot be bribed to silence. But
there is yet more work for the committee In
connection with this matter. BY q single signi-
fcant paragraph the Comptroller connects his