, 1880-03-14

Chicago people are zoo DuSy TO keep LuelI
minds for any great length OF time upon
mere personal discomfort. Hence the freez'
ing up Of the mud in the streets during the
past two days has served almost to obliterate
the universal indignation which at one time
promised such an agitation Of the subject as
to compel the city authorities to take some
decided action. The South Water street
merchants gave vent to their wrath one day By
posting and caricaturing the Mayor, and then
went back to their business. The next thaw
will bring out another transient howl, which
In turn will subside under the rush Of per
sonal affairs. And thus the residents Of this
great city settle down to complacent en-
durance Of universal mud and filth because
they are engrossed in money getting. They
even become Indifferent to the annual waste
and destruction OF great value, Incident to
the wear and tear upon horses and vehicles,
the soiIing of furniture garments, and stocks
Of goods, the impairment Of the retail trade,
and the Encouragement to immigration,
which are direct results Of the muddy streets.
But there is one class Of our citizens who
cannot plead the usual excuse for this com-
mon indifference to the public health and
comfort, and to the welfare of the city. We
mean the official class. The men who are
elected to protect the public Interests, and are
supported by public taxation, may be reason
ably expected to give their time and atten-
ton to matters of public concern, for forget
ting which citizens in their individual ca
pacity may be excused. The most conspicu-
GUS Of this official class in city affairs is the
1o, ,1E4 4koT Is nA,.o ~
should weigh down upon him, waking and
sleeping. His nightmare should take the
form Of great mountains Of mud hauled from
the alleys aud crossstreets and piled upon
his breast. In every public communication,
in every message to the Council, in every
private interview with an Alderman soliciting
an appointment or begging the release of
some constituent from the Bridewell. the
Mayor should not omit to urge that some
thing must be done to improve the streets.
Mayor Harrison's failure to take this lively,
vigilant, untiring interest in the matter is the
reason why the South Water street mer-
chants and the people generally are disposedto to
hold him responsible for the mud nuisance.
It will not do for the Mayor to excuse him
self by saying that the streets cannot be kept
clean in their present dilapidated condition.
We all know that But TIE TRIBUNE
has pointed out OIL more than one
occasion, how they may be put into
condition by a uniform system of
improvements that will insure cleanliness
thereafter with proper care and effort This
suggestion has the approval Of the great
mass Of people without regard to party,
color, sex, or condition. Every man, woman,
and child in Chicago will rise up and bless
the man who shall be the pioneer in the
movement for good streets and clean streets.
Here is Mayor Harrison's great opportunity.
Let him bring the matter to the attention of
the Council at the very next meeting. Let
him renew the suggestion at the following
meeting. Let him urge it at the third, insist
upon it at the fourth, demand it in the name
Of the people at the fifth, threaten trouble at
the sixth, and so keep up the agitation, with
the aid OF bis official prestige, until he shall
make it an issue before the people, it neces-
sary, and compel the Council to act.
The proposition is, that general order
shall be passed by the Council requiring the
improvement, subject to the direction Of the
Public Works Department, Of all the streets
and alleys within the district bounded by the
Lake, the river, and Twelfth street, at the ex-
pense OF the property benefited. The dis
tr1ct described includes the principal busi-
ness portion OF the city. The value Of the
property 1t contains ranges all the way from
sSo9 to s2,5o0 front foot, aside from the
value OF the buildings. The average cost Of
general, and as nearly as possible stimuli
taneOUS system of sfreaf-nauino mi II MT ha