New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-20

on the cost Of the elevated roads, agree that IL
would be unjust to reduce the fare to five cents.
Commissioner O'Donnell recommends an e1-
tension of the commission hours. That Is
suggestion worthy of consideration.
The city authorities might well take lesson
from Washington. A count OF the money anu
bonds in the United States Treasury, amount
ing to nearly half billion dollars, shows an
excess of three cents in favor of the treasurer.
The municipal authorities allowed $l4S,OOo 10
be fraudulently taken from their comparatively
small store without discovering the loss uh'ii
nearly four years after the leak began.
The amendments suggested by Governor
Cleveland to the Excise bill make substah-
TALLY no change in the measure. Inc amo'su-
itv in regard to the repeating clause OF the ACT
has been removed. But it remains Dill III
the interest of the liquor-sellers, and not 1or
the public good. That is sufficient to explain
Tho haste with which it was rushed through
the Assembly. When the Governor undeitook
70 srooest amendments it is pity that he did
not suggest one that would lessen the mani
fold evils that flow from the lax adinlnlstra-
ton of the present law.
The Democratic Senators have refused 10
consider the subject of a primary election law
and like beneficial measures. But they are al
home and eager for work when bill ike
that to permit pool-selling on race-tracks
comes up. Such measure was passed yester-
day, and also bill to grab patronage by CIV
ing the Governor the power to nominate
officers before the terms of incumbents
LII IN, thn
again prescribed, and bill to grab some
patronage in the Dock Department OF TINS
city was favorably considered. We look IN
vain, however, for legislation for the benefit
of the city or State.
The first of the centennial peace celebra-
tons began at Newburg yesterday. 1t was
commemorative of WashingtOn's order for
cessation of hOstilities. Five months hence
the centennial of the signing of the treaty OF
peace will occur. The great day of all will be
Evacuation Day, the centennial of which falls
on Monday, November 26. The Assembly has
passed bill to make it a holiday, and there
ought to he public spirit and patriotism enough
in the city TO provide a suitable celebration.
The Worlds Fair was designed to commemo-
rate these events, but since that dropped out
of sight nothing but public holiday has been
suggested to take its place.
1t is fortunate thing for the city that the
improvement of the Harlem River is TO he
under the control and at the cost of the Ma
tional Government. Otherwise it would prob
ably he as expensive as the new Croton aque-
duct. At least the Commissioners who were
appointed by the State to appraise the value
of the land to be taken seem to regard 1t as n
Job of that magnitude. Their bill OF costs
amounts to $4,000, of which $94, Is Tor
salaries. General w. +. Smith puts in a bill for
$4,000. although n considerable part OF the time
he WAS receiving $4,000 year as president
of the Police Board. Ex-MayoT Grace asks Tor
$4,000, regardless of the tact that about two
thirds of the time he served as Commissioners he
was receiving $4,000 year as Mayor; and
James d. Fish asks for $4,000 notwithstand-
ing anunadiusted claim Tor about SIS, 900 re-
ceiver of a life insurance company during the
same period. These gentlemen were able also to
attend to extensive private business enterprises
The other charges are made on the same SCALE
Public officers should receive reasonable com
pensation for their services although there Is no
difficulty in getting Bridge Trustees and
other functionaries to serve without pay.
The Democrats at Albany always count that
day wasted, whose low descending sun sees at
their hand no Job done in the interest OF Pat
ronage. But Wednesday certainly was not that
kind of day. The Legislature did all it could
TO add about million and half TO the bur
dens of the taxpayers. The bill increasing the
nav OF the police force and the firemen of New
York passed by the Senate contributed
$3.50. 900 to this sum and the Prison Labor
bill i'll the Assembly, 100000. The re-
mainder was made mp 10y measures appropIl-
ating various amounts ranging from $4,000
to 100000. Some of these minor bills were
for worthy objects; but the bulk of the burden
was saddled Oh us for 40 other reason than
to increase the power of the Democratic party
in this city, Senator Grady. as usual, made
himself conspicuous by supporting every Job
and opposing every good bill. He voted with
ont a murmur for the $4,000 extra pay for
fremen and police. He talked, whenever he got
a chance against the Niagara Falls Park BILL
which makes an appropriation Of Only $4,000.
Mr.. Grady said he feared this measure was only
the first step toward imposing an unjust finan-
cial burden on the State. The way III which
this man will strain at a gnat while he takes
down camel at one gulp, ought TO commend
him to Mr.. Balnum as political curiosity.
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THE LATEST REORGANIZATION SCHEME.
Mr. John j. O'Brien was in Albany few days
ago. and in the course OF some remarks to a IRIB-
UNE correspondent in reference 10 tue reorgan-
;g,+;,, of the Rem bIican marty in this city he