The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-04
How the Mayor Can BE OF Service
Despite the Governor.

How tho Mayor Can ne OF Service
Despite the Governor.
1t seems now to be certain that the people
of New York will have to wait little longer
before they receive from the Legislature those
substantial reforms needed for the progress,
prosperity and good government of the city.
The political change resulting from the last
general election was accepted as promising
better condition of affairs than had prevailed
in our local administration for the preceding
two years, but all hope of such an improve
ment as was then anticipated is now at an
end The fact that the revolution could not
reach the State Senate, which remains politi
cally antagonistic to the Assembly and to the
State and city governments, may be pleaded as
an excuse for continuance OF some OF the evils
fastened upon us by the reform hucksters of
1873. We had, perhaps, no right to expect
that body to aid in honest legislation for the
city of New York. even if we had secured an AS
sembly capable of initiating sound and desira-
BILE measures. But the opposition of one branch
of the Legislature is not valid excuse for all
the disappointment the citizens of New York
have had to bear. Under the charter as it
now is we might have had strong, efficient
and harmonious municipal government but
tor the unfortunate differences that arose at
the outset Of their administrations between
Governor Tilden and Mayor Wickham. If
the Governor had adhered to the demccratic
principle of home rule, as applied to the
city of New York. and had made up his mind
to study the interests of the metropolis rather
than the interests of Comptroller Green, we
might have had to-day municipal departments
working in harmony and with vIgor and
hberality for the improvement of the city.
With confidence renewed, business revived
and the public finances on sound basis we
might have hoped for some practical move
ment toward the accomplishment OF rapid
transit and those other great works for which
the city is languishing.
But if we must abandon all expectation Of
no good reason why we should not insist upon
relief from the many petty annoyances and
abuses to which we have been too long COM
PEELED to submit. II Mayor Wickham finds
his hands tied by the singular action of the
Governor 50 far as the removal of Mayor
Havemeyer's ofice-holders are concerned, he
can at least enforce the laws and protect the
people in their rights. The shameful neglect
of the streets by the Street Cleaning Bureau
is dangerous TO the public health, as well
as source Of discomfort to the citizens. A
bill now before the Legislature proposes to
take the business of street cleaning from the
Police Board and give it to q separate depart
ment or commission. THIS measure may be
desirable one, or it may not, according as
the bill is wisely or unwisely framed. If il is
a Job simply seeking to give power over con-
tracts and work to the Board of Aldermen and
other politicians ii will be no improve
ment on the present system. At the
same time q change is so desirable
that any law which promises an honest
performance Of the work would be hailed
with general satisfaction Popular sentiment
fayors the transfer of the business from the
Police Board, but the police should, never
theless, be charged with the duty Of com
pelling observance of such ordinances as may
be passed and Of reporting all violations of
law and all existing nuisances. In this d.
rection much good may be accomplished by
on active, efficient Mayor. He can compel
the street cleaning authorities, whoever they
msy be, to keep the crosswalks, at least, in
decent condition, and his authority ought 10
be sufficient to insure the repair Of holes at
street crossings, which in slushy weather be-
come ponds Of filth knee deep.
There are other petty abuses to which the
Mayors active interference might Put a STOP
An ordinance fxes the rates Of fare to be
charged by licensed hacks and cabs. The
law is almost dead letter, but q
few striking examples might teach the
owners OF such vehicles o useful lesson.
The horse car companies are not
famous for their attention to the safety
and comfort Of their passengers, and sharp
notice from the Mayor might have salutary
effect in this direction. There are ordinances
and regulations in regard 10 the erection OF
new buildings and the removal or repair Of
old ones which are intended to protect the
rights Of the public in the streets Of, the city.
Yet we frequently see work suspended on
buildings for weeks and months, and the OBJ
structions are allowed to remain, TO the on
noyance and damage of the neighbors, until
the owners get ready to resume. Some per-
son desires to move wooden dwelling in the