New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-10
THE HIGuwAY1iEN.

In times long gone by the daring robbef went out
upon the highway and followed his calling there
taking his life in one hard and his chances OF success
in the other But the march Of centuries has changed
all this. Instead Of now looking for the robber to
py his calling along the lonely country road, those
who have had to deliver their purses the oener to our
modern Neutrality-suspicious. who have tho money TO
lose and upon robbing whom the thieves are bent
know full we'll that the highwaymen who are now the
most audacious and most formidable are to be found
in tho Common council of the City Of New York.
We do not exactly know the power OF the Police IN
the premses-we arc not TO the limits OF their
authority-but we respectfully offer the suggestion Tor
their serious consideration that they have the ike
nesses taken of the Ring" members Of the Common
Council to be hun mp among their fitting companions
in the "Rogues' Gallery"
These highwayIaen. who preyed upon individuals
before they ware elected to office, but who have
preyed upon the public since are now bent upon con-
snumsting another scheme of gigantic proportions,
learned no doubt from their able aud accomplished
preceptor, Capt Booe, and which is worthy, per-
haps, the inventive genius OF that most wonderful
man. This scheme is as follows:
1t has been the custom OF the Common Council, IN
violation of law and against the public interest to
alow persons 10 ncumber the sidewalks 18th stands,
signs, &C.. for some Of which permissions it is we'll
known that the Alderman or Councilman who pushed
through the Job receive large annual rent. The
practlce of introducing separate resolutions in each
case. allowing Mrs Flanagan or Bridget Moloney to
se peanuts at dross-walk during the pleasure Of
the Common Council" and permitting Mr.. Smith
10 have sodawater stand on certain corner, or to
extend sign over the sidewalk had grown so irksome
and so expensive and consumed so much time, that,
by resolution adopted not long since, new desk
was created in the Mayors Office TO have charge OF
granting all such permits; but the Ring" took care
TO look out for its pecuniay interests at the same
time. for they resolved also, that no such permit
should be granted unless the signatures of the Alder
man and Councilman residing in the same district as
the applicant should first be obtained But as in theod
fable "Much wants more some genius among our City
Fathers thought it would be good thing to initiate the
old system of Bodies Health Wardens, and create
about ortyour new officers at large salaries to have
charge of supervising this matter OF granting permits,
to incunber the sidewalks to be sinecure positions for
fayortes But u ere arose diffculty-there was an
obstacle to be got over. The desk Of granting per-
mits had been created in the Mayors office, and 1t
was feared that Mayor Hoffman would be too mindful
of the interests Of the City to fill the Offices, il the
measure should be passed over his veto, with the
creatures OF the Common Council. SO, on Wednes'
day Of last week. resolution or ordinance was intro
duced into tho Board of Aldermen creating what
amounts TO new bureau in the Street Department
for the purpose Of granting these permits.
The positions which this resolution proposes to cre-
ste would not cost mnch-only the paltry sum OF
sixty thousand dollars per year. mere trie in these
tmes-and then il would be such fine thing to have
foryour Grand Inspectors of peanuts doughnut' ana
horse.manure fort flour Grand Masters marching in
a row.
Truly, Calico was right when he said The world
moves"
Are we not right when we call the men highway
men who attempt to perperae these wrong'i do
they not lie in wait to rob the taxpayer Is II not
their sole and only business to devise schemes where
by they can fiji their purses and yet keep themselves
outside the clutches Of the law
Now that the Governor has signed the City Tax
Levy which contains provision introduced by the
Citizens Association, preventing the ere alton OF any
more Offices, if the Common Council should pass this
nefarious scheme, we call upon Mayor Holman, be-
fore he returns il with his Veto TO retain 1t IN his
hands sufficient time to allow the new Tax Levy to
take full legal effect that our City Fathers cannot
by passing the measure overhis veto, make IL elective
in spite of the Legislature.
This scheme can very easily be passed over tho
MAYORS veto; for the Board Of Aldermen Is all one
way save Aldermen yarnum and Gedney, and in the
Board Of Councilmen is Ring compoted OF Demo-
Gratis aud Republicans that will pass any scheme that
pays, no matter how outrageous. In the Board OF
Aldermen we look to Alderman Varnum to ventllate
the matter, and in tho Board Of Councilman the |
iriends Of Reform and of honesty look to Councdmen