New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-06-05
CONDITION OF TEE STREETS.

CONDITION OF TIE STREETS.
The Piccycae is again exercised upon
the condition Of the streets, which is made
the occasion Of a fierce and denunciatory
article against the Administrator Of I'm
provements and his subordinates. So fire.
quently has this been done of late that il
has ceased to excite surprise. The vindic-
tive and malicious are rarely content with
defeated exertions to SANDER and the Pic
ayNae particularly is as persistent IN its
maleyolenoe as the hog is to bis wallow,
or the dog to his vomit. It matters little
to that Journal whether its statements are
true or false, SO they have the effect of in
juring. Indeed, it rather prefers that
which is untrue since it possesses CON
genial characteristics, and does not have
that tacit rebuke which truth in any shape
invariably produces. But the Picagpae's
maleVolence in this-instance is shown in
a guise more ingenious than usual It
now assumes that the streets are redolent
with impurities, which would be greatly
lessened by a system of flushing. This no
one win deny. But how is it to be done !?
IF The enterprise should be inaugurated
by the Administrator of Improvements,
the Picaylne would be the first to de-
nounce it, because Of the expense
that would attend it. A more import
ant because more Indispensable fea-
ture Of the sanitary precaution has
been harped on until even the
enemies Of Mr.. Cockrem have
grown tired Of the Picapaae's blatant
vituperation. We allude to the draining
canals. But to give an effectual answer
to the Pjeay5ne's complaints, we have to
say that the system which it advises is not
under the control Of the Administrator Of
improvements. The Council must first
direct it, and before even the Council takes
action il is the duty Of the Mayor to re-
commend it. It is duty we are sur
prised he has neglected, but Mr. Cockrem
should not be held accountable for the
duties the Mayor fails to perform. This
functonary certainly has happy faculty
Of throwing his own shortcomings on
ether's shoulders; but in this instance his
journalistic apologist has been a little too
fast. But there is still another considera-
Jon overlooked by the P,ooyeae in its
desire to injure to injure the Administrator
Of Improvements. It forgets that before
he can do anything in the matter of flush
ing the streets, the Department Of Water
works viii have to report upon the prac-
ticability Of the plan. As yet we lave
heard nothing from MIR. Delassize That
capable officer is not given to negleeting
his duty, and if he has remained silent on
the subject the reason is doubtless attrib- |
utable to the fact that he chooses that the |
Plan shall come to him in the usual and |
practical way by the Recommendation Of |
the Mayor.
These considerations, We take i, are
a sufficient answer to the Picounss malev-
olent attack upon Mr.. Cockrem. The |
flushing business is made q pretext for the
qualification Of personal luminosity. The
cause Of the assaults so persistent Of late
may consist Of a variety Of reasons:
First Somebody connected with the
Pjcay7gle may be interested in this flush
ing business in pecuniary way.
Second-Mr. Cockrem may have de-
feRted some cherished scheme, or refused
to put the name Of some writer or indivi-
dual connected with that journal on his
pc y roll.
Third-The Administrator Of Improve
ments may not have paid due attention to
the recommendation Of writers on the
Piooy1ne for the letting of contracts, as,
for instance, in the square block pavement
affair.
Indeed, there are a great many causes
Of opposition that do not spring from
patriotic impulses. Hostility in politics
is not the only reason for personal and
journalistic luminosity.
But there is yet another consideration to
be taken into the account The cost of
such an undertaking as the Pic advises
would exceed a half million of dollars.
would have to be prepared. to
orce the water into the streets. The level
II the river is below the cutters
Does the Picayne advise this expendi-
ure? 1t would cause the employees Of the
Department Of Improvements to be trebled.
Does it advise this increase Of the force ?
These are considerations that have to be {
net in such an undertaking. VIII the
0icGygcne tell US which Of its friends it pro- {
'oses to advantage by this nice little job +?
5 it another Jonas French affair? q
OPPOSED TO BARGAINING.
In the mixed condition Of our politics I
Il seems difficult for the opposing fac t