New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-01

We are going through our annual discussion OF
the fragrant topic of street cleaning The ancient
inhabitant can remember innumeTable previous dis
cussions Of the same sort. What is particularly
apparent to our eyes and our noses is, that the
streets are no freer than ever from mud, stagnant
pools, ashes decaying vegetables deceased ANIMALS,
coal ashes superannuated boots and shoes, discarded
rags, bedding past service, oyster shells,
etc. etc., etc. Whatever it is incOn-
venient TO keep in the house cast into the high
wav Even streets with u tOleTable reputation for
cleanliness are fast losing it. If one wishes to
TO what miserable condition o once respectable
thoroughfare with respectable people still living
upon it can be reduced, let him investigate East
Fourteenth-st. from Thrd-aye. 10 the water. Now,
we are told, Commissioner MacLean is about to per-
form wonders of publication, the like of which
this world has not seen since Hercules cleansed
the Augean stables. We wait; we even hope but
we still see and smell Absolute cleanliness of a
street. especially if it chance to DO in an uIfavora
bic locality, is not to be expected bat the worst
can be remeded. People can be prevented from
violating the ordinances. Respectable hose
holders ought to be ashamed to do any
thing which can In the least make a
bad matter worse II is setting a discTcdtabe
example to the Ignorant and the reckless, thus, for
the sake of little temporary convenience to use
the streets as receptacles OF garbage The authori
ties If they are making honest efforts to remedy
evil ought TO be helped IN every way by house
hoders but we are sorry say that there does not
seem to be much disposition to help them. The hot
weather is at hand, and each locality should 30 on
the alert to make 90o in the shade toleIa,lc. Land
lords should compel their tenants to bU decent. All
may and should help to abate acknowledged nui-
sances.
Gentle May ethereal May, mild May, tie month
sacred 20 lovers is here at last and from the indi
cations yesterday, lingering Winter VII not chill
bar Ian TO any great extent. She has been waited
for patiently or impatiently through the cold and
reprehensibly backward ultimo and Ii IL 10 be
hoped that she will do something 10 k;tp up the
yernal credit which this year at least has boen
sorey shaken. Months one thing in the
almanac, another thing in the verses Of the poets.
and quite another thing in actual practice In our
climate there is not much Spring, oxctpt IN the
calendar. Before she has smiled and blosSomod
long, summer suporsedes her. End often enough
finds us still wearing our great coats and crouchng
over the fire. All those who to-day are shifting
their domIciles may be congratulated if to ordinary
dscomforts those of q piercing and furious North
castor are not added.
There has been a striso-of all places i tho world
in the Auburn State Prison. seventeen conyicts
refusing TO work because of she bad quality OF their
ratons. They that their tasks require for their
performance physical strength and that they are
too weak to accomplish them for want Of better
meat and moro of it. If this be so, tho strike be-
comes 40 much matter Of interest to the public rs
TO the prisoners who ut least ought, all consdera
tons of humanity apart, to be kept ip such con-
dition as to insure the expenses of their mprson-
ment as nearly possible. Convicts are hardly IN
position 10 have their bare, unsu 'ported word
taken without confirmation. but the trouble has