New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-01

Some of the petty politicians IN and ahout
the . sembly seem TO have no conception Of
the strength of the public feeling concerning
the streets. They are sChcmiug 10 am,ud al
the virtue ont Of the street cleaning Till OF 20
defeat it altogether. Unless they can secure
the patronage for partisans of their stripe
they are willing to leave The CITY in it,, present
drplorable condition. The warnings Of ply
slcians the appeals OF our best citizens,
The absolute suffering OF All classes
of the community under tie lu'olcr-
able evils of the present system, even the danger
of pestilence in the tenement mouse quarters,
have little influence with these men. Partisan
advantage for themselves or for some trading
politician whose fortunes they follow is the
only consideration 10y which they can be moved
The utter failure OF the pIc,cn4 mcthod OF
cleaning the streets and the imperative ne
cessity of a change are plain 1" all The city
demands that change, and demand, II now.
How long shall these Ob,trucIonls,s stand III
the way 7
The bill now before the Assembly Committee
on Cities is the work Of strong and SasI-
ciouS committee of icadlug citIl.nS repre-, ut
inc a great mass-mceIn-. IN winch tho best
sentiment of the community found voice.
Prominent business men have brcn and are
now labolins at Albany to secure IT'S adop-
ZION. They have shown them elves Gag .r
To meet every reasonable Objection. IL 'hcu
earnest desire To secure some relief nom the
present deplolable condition OF Affairs they
have been almost too cOmplai-aut. To avoid
the hostility of the street railroad companies,
they have consented To the striking ont of the
provision as to the removal OF snow from the
tracks Every concession that can property
be asked has been made in tn senate. Now
the Assembly should not delay 10 pass this
bill. 1t may he opposed 10y the same element
that supported the FitE-ave. requirement.
steal, which Assemblymln Hamilton 50 man
fully exposed and crushed. Bat the opponents
of proper street cleaning systcia for New
York will not be likely to disgrace any more
Assemblies. This bill has an aroused public
ling behind it which "sirkcrs' and
Traders and narrow minded yartisans will lind
il dangerous TO trife witt.
There is some Tux in the lobbies Of the
Capitol aud in certain political circles III THIS
city about amending the bill so as to put the
street cleaning in the hands of President
French, of the Police Board. The excuse for
this absurd suggestion Is that the patronage
would thus be saved TO the Republican party.
But the Republican party and all good citizens
are more interested IN getting the streets clean
than in any question of patronage. The death
rate is of more moment at present than
patronage. And any scheme to put MIR.
French at the head of the street cleaning
would be really vicious as well as absurd
lie has never shown the least sign of the
qualities required for the work. The Police
Department should have nothing more to do
with this matter. 1t has been tired and found
wanting. MIR. French and every other member
of the Police Board are on record as eager to
get the whole thing off their hands. Mayor
Grace is willing to take it up. Let him stand
or fall by it.