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

stopped. This has been a favorite method
with Mr. Kelly in departments where TAM
many has waxed fat. If the appropriation for
salary account was not large enough for all
the political parasites that infested particu-
lar department, they were not alarmed.
They knew that they could rely on
Mr.. Keys kindness in the Board of Apporion-
ment and that "transfer Of uncxpended bal
noes" from accounts for buildings, repairs,
etc, would make the matter all right Mr..
Kelly's kindness IN such cases has been cruel
ty to taxpayers. This evil should be ended
at once. Let the Commissioners learn to keep
within their appropriations They can do ii
easily enough, if they will require every clerk
and every hanger-on to do even half days
work for whole days pay. Any one who
has watched the quantity and the quality of
the work done by the clerks in most OF the
departments must know that the system OF
swelling salary accounts by transferring bal
anccs is simply a swindle on the men who
pay the taxes.
Mr.. Campbell has managed the Department
of Public Works so far rs the limitations Of
City Government would allow, in buSl-
ness-like WY. Now he has a larger field as
member of the most important Board III the
city. The public will expect from him a
wider and more effective application of bust
ness methods to city affairs. MIR. Lawson has
won the goodwill and esteem of citizens
by his course in public life, ami has
always been looked on IA man who
would not sacrifice the interests of the
community to personal or party ends.
He is now in position 10 do better
work fog New York than ever before. Mayor
Cooper has shown himself disposed to inquire
into "thc why's and wlcrelores III the de-
partmrnts. Now that Mr. Kelly can no longer
check his inquiries by insults, Let him insist
on having good and sufficient reasons from
each department, for every important item OF
It's estimates. Alderman Morris has voted
oftencr in the Board OF ADportionmeut for
higher appropriations and increased expenses
than his best friends approve. HIS Official
term is almost over. Ii is to he hoped that
The last days of it viii BE- the best on =, and
that in his votes on the estimates for 1881 ne
will act only as taxpayer, and never AZ
politician.
A word as TO some of the Other officials.
If Hubert o. Thompson administers tie Pnb-
lie Works as well ~ his predecessor b. VIII
.eaye little ground for complaint. Som o.
the men who have helped to put him where
he is want that department made a. comfort
able crib for "oid wlr-horse5n as it WAS in
Tweed's day. Mr.. Thompson will be wise to
disappoint them. Salem II. Wales is much
needed in the Park Depl lment. IL VIII cer-
tainly do all In his power 20 make the parks
no longer mere pastures for politicians. The
new Excise Commissioners cannot well make
thal DEPARTMENT much worse than it Is. DIR.
CroSby's society has shown how and TO what
persons licenses are nov granted. Almost
any change will be for the better. There Is
plerty OF room for reform in the Police Courts
also. Unless the fhrec new justices do much
to lessen the influence OF lottery and 20 icy
swindlcrs and The lowest class OF Ward poll
ticians in those courts, they viii receive and
they will deserve, the contempt Of all decent
citi