New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-30
BROWN'S BENEPTCEHCE.

We have expressed our admiration of Browns
greatness in q certain line, but we have yet to
speak of his Astounding charity, which, by the
way, does not cover his multitude of sins,
although he does his best to make it perform
that necessary, but impossible task lie began
his career of neglectng the streets by temper
ing financial storm to a shorn lamb. That
excellent gentleman, Judge Whiting, having
been impoverished by not cleaning the streets
the magnanmOus Brown stepped IN ana gave
bonus for tho contract which had depleted
the Whiting exchcquer. There IL not nohier
self-immolation than this recorded of any pub
lie servant, and by this single act Browns
reputation for kindness was firmly established.
Brown was next driven by stress of circum-
stances to act on the more selfish prlaclple that
"charity begins at home" Poor Whiting had
been haimpercd in his task, and finally worried
into the surrender of his contract by the Mayor,
Recorder, Controller, and Corporation Counsel,
acting as members of the Street Cleaning Com
mission, constantly picking flaws in his work.
and refusing to pay his semi-monthly bills.
The benevolcnCe of Brown Ovcrcame the auslere
virtue of these officials, and although he cleans
fewer streets than Whiting did, our primitive
thoroughfares, nor do they deny him his pit
lance Having taken care of number one, as
in duty bound to do, Brown essayed to pour
out the milk of his kindness upon the world Mt
large. Happily, he knew of tho hardships en-
dured by our legislators in the chop-houses OF
Albany, and he set about rescuinS some ot
them from an untoward fate. True, his task
was not OnerOus IA he had simply to do MOTH
ing, but he did it unilinchingly, and such sue
cess crowned his efforts that he has Our streets
fully prepared for another legislative Committee
OF Inquiry. As on prior occasion, the honor
able gentlemen will freely indulge in all the
manifold delights of the metropolis. and IN the
end announcing that there was no particular
necessity for their having come, Will go, leaV-
ing the people 10 pay their bills. But they
will be made TO rejoice. and Brown Will have
n consciousness of charity worthly bestowed
at anOther's expense
Still, Brown is not satisfied with the pros
pect of this great glory. His bcnciiccnce en-
braces all mankind, and ~ the crown OF his
martyrGom he humbles the pride OF a great CITY,
and seeks 10 compel it 90 the practice OF the
Christian virtue of patience. Perhaps he may
think us unapt in the lesson Inc has set; it is
occasion for our Impotence. II 50, let him con-
vince u.s. but not With the official records, for
we have sufficient respect for his ability 10 be-
lieve that they are all right. Let him produce
reputable citizens who have seen him cleaning
streets to any appreciable extent, and the
probing to account for their foulness must so
turned in other directions. And, let Brown ard
partners understand ia. We do not nsk the
letter OF the bond, and We are not particularly
concerned about their profits. What NO do
want is TO have the streets cleaned by some
body, at some price. If Brown can't, or won't
do it, for a405,5CO per annum, Will he announce
the sum necessary We pause for Brown fur
Their TO show his kindness 10y letting us know
how and when ho will permit this city to re-
fran from wallowing in his mire if it should
be SO diFYOscd