The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-21


regard these tactional jealousies, which,
after all, are confined to q few political
leaders, and would pass the bills to which
we have referred and some others that are
still Enacted upon. New York really needs
relief, and as the State Legislature has seen
fit to take upon itself the management and
control of our local government it is in
In the matter Of street cleaning we
are tied up by State legislation.
While it is notorious that the present
street cleaning authorities are incapable,
neglectful and extravagant-that they
squander a vast amount Of the public
money and leave the city in filthy condi-
ton. perilous to the public health-we
have no power. as we ought to have, to take
the work out of their hands and to give it
to those who would do it properly. The
Legislature alone can do this for us. Some
of our best citizens prepare bill initiating
new system, and again the politicians
whose interests would be injuriously af-
fected by the transfer Of the business to
honest and capable hands are found de-
nouncing and opposing the measure. The
Assemblymen from the country districts of
the State, some from fanaticism and others
from policy, refuse to give us an ex-
else law proper for the city and
desired by nineteen-twentieths Of its
residents. They are made aware that
the law which is good enough for their own
localities cannot be enforced here; that it's
effect is to make unlicensed liquor selling
general and to deprive the city of nearly
three hundred thousand dollars year from
license fees. But they make wornout tenn
perance speeches for their own constituent
cies and refuse this relief to New York. We
beg for liquor tax by registration that will
bring us in a revenue of millions and that
is not objected to by respectable liquor
dealers, provided they can be properly pro-
tected under it. The country Legislators
seem as little disposed to give us this law
as to grant US proper excise law, although
it must necessarily be On aid to the temper
ance cause. Their tanaticism or their po-
litical ambition closes their ears to all our
arguments and pleadings
New York appeals earnestly to the Legis-
lature tor justice and fair play. city
that bears so largo share of the burden Of
State taxation and that creates the wealth
and importance Of the rest of the State is
certainly entitled to some consideration.
We ask the Legislature to give us laws that
will help the growth and prosperity of the
metropolis without regard to the intrigues Of
our own professional politicians or the preju-
dices and personal schemes of country MEM
bers. We call upon the Senate for some
little protection in the matter of appor-
tionment against the narrow-minded,
superserviceable craftsmanship of Mr.. Avord.
We ask the passage of tho Now York bills
we have named, together with the bills to
protect the public squares from confisca-
ton, and to reform the city marshal abuse
by giving the, appointment Of such officers
to the courts. We repeat, tho Legislature
has bound the city hand and foot We cam
not move without Legislative action. If we
are not to govern ourselves ut least let those
who govern us give as some laws for the
public good, and not sacrifice the best inter-
ests of the metropolis to the necessities of
politicians or the prejudices of fanatics.