The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-26

PRESENTATION or GnNEkxL DIX 10 ru EH7
PERoR NAPoLsoE-We learn BY our special
cable teleerams that General Dix, the newly
appointed American Minister to France, was
formally received ON the Esd inst BY the
Emperor Napoleon. General Dix male
very appropriate little address on his presen-
tation, referring to the long standing friendship
between the people and governments Of
France and the United States, and to the
"many historical "reminiscences which tended
to perpetuate the friendship existing between
them" OF course the usual complimentary
phrases and the hope for perpetual comfy
were expressed, as on ell such occasions but
independent Of the mere Formally, we must
say that both the tone of our Minister'S ad-
dress and the response Of the Emperor were
earnest and cordial His Majesty said those
historical "Reminiscences" referred to by Cen
eral Dix constitute . sure guarantee that
no misunderstanding will disturb the friendly
relations existing between the two countries"
He added, sstho continuance Of loyal and sim
core understanding will be great advantage
tries, the inhabitanz OF which already astonish
the other portions OF tho world BY the marvels
Of their enterprise. Sach en- understanding
will do much to insure and guarantee popular
progress and the march OF civilization" We
take these expressions a. sincsre, for the reason
that neither Napoleon nor the French people
can possibly have any other wish. When once
the Mexican didaculty shall be settled, as 1t soon
will be, there Is no question Of International
policy upon which we should be likely to come
in conflict, while the mutual commercial inte-
rests of the two countries are Of vast impor-
lance. Then we shall not be in Napoleon's way
nor he in ours. We believe the ancient friend
ship of France and the United States will be
perpetuated, and we think no more fit appoint
ment could have been made than that Of Cen
eral Dix as our representative at Paris to
smooth down difficulties and to perpetuate
friendship between the two countries.
FILTHY CONDITION OF THE STREETS.-NOw that
Judge Whiting has got fairly rid Of Street
Commissioner Cornell and finds himself with
out any harassing investigation on his hands,
the citizens of New York would be glad to see
him turn his attention to the filthy condition Of
the streets. They have seldom been more neg-
lected in the worst days Of the City Inspec-
tors Office than they are at the present time.
The reform contractors appear to adhere to
the old system of letting the streets take care
Of themselves in the winter and cleaning them
only in the spring and summer months. The
Board Of Health should look to this matter at
once. The cholera is still lurking in our midst,
ready to make Its appearance again On tho
6rst approach Of warm weather, and The Ritif
allowed to accumulate In the winter will give
it sustenancs during che period Of its iuactivi-
~. The great danger TO health in the early
spring and summer arises from the thawing
out OF the decayed vegetable matter that is 81
lowed to accumulate and freeze up during the
winter. The people expect the Board of
Health, with their almost unlimited power and
expenditure and their array of sanitary ability,
to be something more than BODIES machine,
with its famous hygienic inspectors. The
Board should be aware that 1t is prudent in
time Of peace TO prepare for war, and as they
are presumed to know that hygiene means
something more than = bad smell, they should
look after the street cleaning contractors and
see that they do not leave the streets all the
winter in q condition that will render certain
the spread OF contagious and infectious dis
eases in the summer. The Board did very
well last year, but may do much better next
year; and in order that they may, their frat
business should be to compel the contractors
10 do their duty and clean the now filthy and
neglected streets.