New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-21
REFORMS IN OUR MCNsCIPAE
ADMINISTRATIONS

When the Health Commission bill was before
the Legislature, we, who insisted on the ap-
pointment of Commissioners 10y the Governor,
were subjected TO a deluge OF Misrepresentation
and oboquy rarely exceeded. We were ac-
cuscd OF seeking a partisan Commissioned
looking 10 party and personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
rather than the improvement Of our Citys sani-
tary condition, &c, &c.-while our adyersares
were held up to admiration as unselfish. high
minded, non-partisan devotees of Economy
and Reform. On tho strength of such repre-
sensations, the Chamber OF Commerce, the
Union League Club, Union General Committee
&c, &c, were induced TO denounce us and
call on the Legislature TO vote us down.
But these unjust accusations did not prevail,
for the Legislature was intelligent and candid,
and gave us opportunities to disprove them.
As a result of investigation, two-thirds OF the
Union members stood immovably with us, and
gave US a Commission whereof n majority were
nominees Of the Governor, with one more
chosen from our number By the Legislature it,
self. Thus the Board of Commissioners Of
Public Health stands constituted to-day
Who charges it noD with craftsmanship Who
SAYS that Gov. FentOn has filed il with
Ward politicians rather than with men of abil
ity energy and sanitary knowledge Who de-
MES that the Commission is able ard worthy ?
How many votes could be obtained in our City
for its overthrow Count the men whom the
passage Of the Health bill has cut off from suck
ing the City Treasury for uselessor unperformed
service, with those whose pestilence breathing
nuisa1ces it has already abated or is certain
soon TO abolish, and the rest of our citizens, with
scarcely an individual exception, rejoice in the
passage of the Health bill and in the Governors
selection of Commissioners. We hold that the
Real Estate Of our City is to-day worth at least
one per cent. more-in all, Five Millions of dol
lars more-than if the Health bill had not
passed.
Those who resisted that most righteous meas.
ure or insisted that 1t should be radically differ.
ent from what it is, are now doing their utmost
to defeat the kindred and equally important
bills proposing Board Of Revision (irst termed
"The Board Of Control') and Board of Public
Works. OF the former, Ths N. T. Time, says,
"And now comes tho Board of Control" This In
other words is Vigilance Committee" The citizens
OF New York incapable of self government are to Do
placed under keepers. And all this for our inter
ests; all this solcitude for welfare, from
Albany Strangers volunteer to save - from our
selves"
The Times well knows that tia above as-
ser,ions are at variance with the fact-knowS
that the Board of Control" az Revision,
like the "Board Of Public Works" originated
nowhere else then in this City--in the councils
of the " Citizens Association association
of heavy taxpayers, which cares nothing fol
politics, but which is solely intent on ferretinl
out and suppressing Municipal robbery. II
seems but yesterday the.t The Times was assail
Ting us for supporting the Copperhead" candi
dates of that Association for Mayor and Cor
poration Counsel and now it virtually at
tributes support 3f its measures Of reform e
. Republican pr.rtisanship and otiice-seeking-
saying:
"Nev THE h'nd and oouIse Of issi.l"tie- will u"