New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-22

THE NET STREET CLEANING DEPfRTMFNT.
The long delayed change in the system of
street-cleaning is near at hand. The bill which
has passed the Senate is sure of success in the
Assembly. and the Governor can be relied on
TO be prompt with his approval of an act which
is so urgently needed. Almost all opposition
to the bill has ceased. In the Senate not
word of dissent was heard on the final pas
sage of it, and rs III its present form 1t repre-
SCENTS the views of the AS,cmhlymcn who would
not allow the senate bill to become law,
there is not likely To bc any idle argument
over the matter in tie lower House. II J. now
the plain duty of every one interested IN thc
health and comfort of the people T." maxi"
the hest of this ur1.'!rr. Of course, tie
NayOr and The momhcr> OF H." Citizens Com
n,jttcp of TwcIty-onc would have greatly
rrefcrrcd the enactment a. thr Senate BILL
But the most captions critic viii hardly d.
putc that with pahi- -prit and good judi
mcnt at the City Hall. and with energy and
discretion il the new dc!.d.m"lt tu, CITY can
have clean streets NJ lat.
They are needed very Lady at Ni, mo"cH'.
The "spriug cleaning" of which tn, Police
DEPARTMENT was - proud, did really accom-
WISH al great Nf'iI y fI 'l.''-.'f'' w. '''--N
ious matter wa. removed. But this sudden
dasl of vigor, this unexpected ont"nr>t "i
efficiency. WIS followed hy a dcplorahc in
action and neglect. The hearings bee
fore the Mayor and the ind.ciwD ats by
the Grand jury seemed 20 cause the C"nnri>-
sioncrs 50 much concern that their attention
10 their duties was sadlr rlaH'd. At least
whether or not that WIS the causr' the streets
became more unclcln daily. Then came The
Conkling crisis. That Wa too much for Pr'I-
dent French The condition a. She streets ap-
parcntly never entered his thoughts while tie
power that lifted him from thc rccln~oh OF
Sag Iarbor 10 one Of the highest Offices ~
thi. city WAS In danger. He rushed to WHsh-
ngton TO aid Nh Conklng and General
Arthur with his valuable counsel. He hurried
TO Albany TO comfort and console their dis
MAYED followers The political complications
seem to have turned the heads of his col
| leagues also. Any way, the streets were
no longer cared for with any diligence
The results every one has been IA
miliar with during the past week. The
wretchcd beings who have been compelled Ia
cross Broadway OF any other business street
and have been forced to Summon all thciI
1
slime which has covered the laycmrntS, have
had good cause to cxccrate tie delays at
Albany which have allowed the Police Depart
ment to retain control Of the strcct-c!caninG
The mud of New-lork streets is bad enough
at any time, but within the last few days il
has had n gToasinCss, sickness and super
latiye nastincss far beyond common experience
TIE air. too, heavy with the stcnchcs of tho
filthy thorouslfarcs has been intoleIably Of
| fcnsive.
| Under the new system we have right t.
look for great improvement. If Mayor Grace
will select a man of high character and ability
for Commissioner of S.rect-Cleaning The
Board of Health will not refuse to confirm
him. If Licutenant-C Commander GOuinge II
still willing to take the post the Mayor wOult
do well to nominate him. a recent article o.
his on the subject shows that he has a cloal
comprehension of the difficulties to be cncoun
tered and sensible notions as to the way il
which they may be overcome. Whether the new
Commissioner be GOrTingc or another, this bill
gives him space enough aud power enough t
accomplish good results. The provisions L
contracts, as to the employment aud discharg