The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-10

Wanted.
In calling attention repeatedly to the highly
dangerous state of filth of the New York
streets, we can assure all concerned that we
are thoroughly in solemn earnest. Our efforts
to cause remedy of the evil have already met
with partial success, but we shall continue orr
calls and our vigilance until the CITY il safe
from the present imminent dangers to its
health and comfort. The hot weather has
come suddenly upon us, and very decided &c
ton must at once be taken to make it other
wise than too late. The criminal rapacity.
sheltered and protected by loose contract,
has shown signs of desire to make an appear
ance of returning conscience. To prove that
1t is the veriest sham of activity, we need only
point to the report of the city Sanitary In
spector, published in yesterdays HERALD.
Streets are being swept carelessly, the dirt
being gathered into heaps; these dirt heaps
are then as carelessly removed, or, rather, are
only partially removed scarcely lessening the
evil.
week ago our reporters collected the re-
suit OF street to street inspection of the city.
arousing the Board of Health to action but
instead of at once taking measures to correct
the glazing evils therein graphically enumer-
ated they thought weeks delay necessary in
order that the city Sanitary Inspector might
go over the same ground. This piece of red
tapism, worthy of the Circumlocution Office,
simply corroborates the testimony of our repor-
torial staff. We are willing to admit that the
Board of Health feels acutely the deplorable
state Of affairs, and are anxious to do all in
their power to remedy it. We can even find
some excuse for the childish proposition of
Commissioner Manniere, that the citizens be
requested to subscribe, according to their
ability, for having thorough cleansing of the
streets. Outside of such proposition they
admit their utter powerlessness to take care Of
the public health in this vital respect. They
accordingly shift the responsibility on to the
shoulders of the Street Cleaning Commission,
which body consists of the Mayor, the Re-
corder the Comptroller, the President of the
Board of Health and the Corporation Counsel
These gentlemen, in turn, think that they are
locked as in wise with regard to the subject
of Browns contract, and can only negative it
by process of law.
Is it possible then, that they hesitate to
adopt the only course they believe to be left
to them. The contract, as we understand 1t,
means that the streets be kept clean, and the
HERALD's reports on the matter, supplemented
by that Of the City Sanitary Inspector, show
conclusively that this has not been done. 1t
is understood that the defence will be the let
ter Of the contract, which for criminal loose
ness of wording, stands perhaps unrivalled; but
we believe that even this can be shown to have
been violated. Rocked into security by the
public Indifference, and grasping at every cent
which could be saved by avoiding expendi-
ture, even the easy terms of the contract, we
shamefully disregarded.
But we do not see why the Street Cleaning
Commission should trfe with the public
health by placing the question where they
have. They are, doubtless, competent under
the circumstances, to annul the contract and
if the contractor and those public robbers behind
the scenes with whom, it is alleged, he is obliged
to share the enormous profits wrung from
the public health, have any grievance, let the
onus of trial in the law courts be left upon
them. The voice of public opinion would sus-
tain the commission in this course and the
citizens would accept the responsibility Of the
act. This would put an end to the evil at
once, and if the contractor could by any legal
sophism or technicality secure o verdict for
damages against the city, the citizens would
be glad to get rid of such q smallpox and
cholera protector at the price, whatever it
might be. There is, however, very little fear
of such result. New York has shown what
it can do when thoroughly aroused to sense
of injury, and where the defence would be
matter touching the city's purse we are sure
that enough evidence of neglect could be
brought forward to smother the contractors
case as effectually as if he himself had all the
filth in his dumping grounds heaped on his
head. The public will watch with consider
able attention the action Of the Street Clean
ing Commission. AT meeting of this body
yesterday quorum was not present. and no
business was transacted 1t is understood that
they have resolved to await the action Of tho
Legislature on bill now before it, relieving
them of their powers in the premises and
transferring them to the Police Department.
We cannot thoroughly see how these gentle
men can guarantee the action of the Legisla-
ture or make any future decision of that body
ground for Sinking pressing responsibility
at present.
With the present hot weather prevailing for
q week, in the present frightful condition of
the Streets there is every fear that the present
pestlence of smallpox among us may spread
with terrible effect. An increase Of smallpox
cases from sixty eight to ninety-one was the
record of the week ending May over the pre-
ceding week; and scarlet fever increased from
ninety to one hundred and six cases. We are
thankful to record that the frightful scourge of