New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-14

$40 900 600 stared the taxpayers in the lace'
MIR. Green's administration followed. ii was
not one of corruption like that OF Connolly had
bcen. Nothing has ever been developed to
show that it was not strictly honest; and III
this respect it was "a gratifying contrast TO inc
one which preceded it. But it was what, has
been teImed-and very properly, too-an
obstructive administration. Mr. Green, by
reason of his mental pecuiaIites rs well as by
his training as lawyer, was untitled for such
lmportant work. He ran the department much
rs chief clerk would conduct an extensive
legal business. He did not evade decision,
but he hestated to make it until compelled to.
He did not prevaricate on important questions
he only quibbled. But hesitation and quiD-
bling in the conduct of the public business OF
so important department were almost rs Dad
as evasion and Misrepresentation; for business
was not promptly done; contractors hestated 10
undertake public work fol- uncertain pay
fnancicrs hesitated to take the bonds OF the
city where so much doubt WAS thrown On the
laws authorizing the issues litigation was piled
high upon litigation, appeals followed appeals
until judgments in cases which ought never 10
have been disputed added TO the pubic deDt.
Economy in the conduct OF the public business
was noi shown IN the material reduction of the
estimates OF the Board of ApportiOnment. 1t
was no purpose Of Mr.. Green to bring about
sacn result as this II was, however, largely
the consequence of his ohstuctivcnesS - bis
doubling aud hesitating nature as displayed in
his picayune methods of busness.-that this
result followed.
AS far as the purely business admins ration
of the oiiice by Nj. Kelly is concerned. 1t WIS
an improvement on that of Mr.. Green. Inc
economy practised has been demonstrated IN
reduction both OF the debt and the annual bud
get. But in the financial Administration OF his
department Mr.. Kelly was unhappily tram
melled by bis political connections We have
cnla,g,d upon these troubles before and need
not reitcrate them now. He WAS a strong part
san in an Office which ought never TO be flied by
partisan, hardly even 10y politician.
1t is upon this very point that we think the
public has most reason 20 congratulate itself
upon the change which has taken place. MIR.
Campbcll's career in the Department OF Public
Works has demonstrated ms administrative
ability lie unqucstiOnabiy brings strong
talents to the conduc; of bis new Office and the
people look upon him at the start with conf
him in tie light OF al active politician. An
able irancier who is not Il politician In the
Office of Controller IS result of the system
which recent politics gave Us no reason 10 nope
for Circumstances have raised the admins
trati0n Of the Controllcrship 70 this higi an
dard. and Mr. Campbell will be eXpcrtel tn
maintain and to improve it 10y Scpaiatine the
office "a far as pcs ole from politics. CHcun-
It noes affecting the filing OF other Offices
rather than his own hayc placed Mr.. Campbell
where he is, untlammelcd 10y pledges to any
! faction. Official or individual; and he can con-
duet his department upon so nigh standard
! rs 10 conuel at the end OF his f. ur years term
! a sucee ssor as able and n non-pariisan as HIM
| self In doing THIS Mr.. Campbell would not
ONLY reflect great credit upOn himself, bat win
the lasting gratitude Of a people struggling
AGAINST grave obstacles to provide better GOV
eminent for mach misgOvcTncd c.ty.