New-York tribune., 1867-08-15
THE CONDITION OF THE STREETS.
CITIZENS ASSOCIATION OF NEw-YORB

To THE PUBLIC: In view of the many com
plants against Judge Whiting, for alleged nonperform-
anoe Of sreetceaning contract the Citizens Assoca-
tion desrous asceTanng whether good grounds exist
for such complaints requested the following members OF
the Association, namely Messrs; Peter Cooper, James
BOOrman Johnston, Wm. Nj. Nermnye, Jas W. Constable,
Wood. Moses G. Baldwin, Matthew p. Read, and Vim.
BlOOdgOOd upon committee TO visit the streets
and report upon their condition and also report Whehr
or not Judge Whiting fulfilling the terms Of his contract
large number were invited IN order to secure
~ '1-'' REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Committee respectfully report that on the after
OF August u, they carefully examined the cOndu9h
Of the following streets, namely IhIdst, Avenue ~
Columbia East Broadway, Chatham, Mulberry, Baxter,
Roosevelt, South Water, West Washington, Greenwich,
Church West Broadway Laurens, and Fonrth-sts ana
one block each side OF the general route, namely
Firstaye Avenues A. b. and e Houston Stanton seam
Park Oak Cherry, Dover, Pecksip, Beekman, Fulton,
inson Murray Reade Duane, Thomas Franklin, White,
Walker, Ispenard, Spring and Prlnce-sts ana give u
as their opinion that all OF such streets are
much cleaner than they have been for the last 20
years Also that from careful observation ana from In
dures made Of the Police along the route, and OF resi-
dents of the different neghbOrhOOds, the Committee as
certaned that the contractor has faithfully cleaned said
streets according TO his contract Some OF the residents
who had lived in locality for years, especially IN
Mulberry and Baxtersts, stated that never III telr ex
peenee had their streets or their Wards been as clean as
To those Who are acquainted with the heretofore filthy
condition Of the central and lower portion OF our city, the
presented by the general neat appearance
of the streets and cleanliness OF the cutters Is most
remarkable and highly credtable TO Judge Whiting. II
must be remembered that according 20 the terms OF the
streeceaning contract all the paved streets OF the city
except Broadway, ParkTOw, Chatham BOwery, Fourth,
Fifth Sixth, and Eighth-aves., state, WHITEHALL wall,
Courtlandt, Fulton Chambers Grand and Canalss and
Madenane (which TO be swept Oftener) are 10 be
swept once "a week also that along the line OF some OF
these the lowest portion Of our population resdes
Of families with swarms of children living IN each
house; that this population through the want Of the
conveEences enjoyed by other portions OF our inab
ants is generally thy and That the streets unavoldaby
become the receptacle for the greater portion Of the
refuse OF the houses.
The Committee OF the opinion that the Contractor
is faithful performing the conditions OF his contract in
regard visited by them and in the other
streets CITY, far their observations have
tended and that in the history Of city for the
past 20 years have the streets visited been clean at
the present time This opinion is based well per-
sOnal inspection OF the streets as on the testimony Of
those with whom the Committee have cOnversed.
The Committee also give 10 as their opinion that
the above streets cannot they at present paved
and inhabited be kept absolutely clean and free from
filth unless the garbage from the houses is collected at
least twice, and the streets swept every day.
In concluding the Committee, in view OF the metro
pOtan OF city, of ITS rapidly increasing and
varied population and OF the close connection between
clean streets and tho public health recommend that steps
be taken whereby the broad and comprehensive system
existing chief cities OF Europe for cleaning the
aud utilizing the refuse shall be introduced here,
by which city could be cleaned accordance with
the wishes OF its citizens and its sanitary and commercial
interests. Respectfully submitted. PETER COOPER,
PAUL N sPOFFoRD, Chairman.
MOSES G. BALDWIN, WILLIAM BLooDGOoD