New-York tribune., 1884-01-25

last wear than in any corresponding period ex-
cent In 1881. In that year plans Tor Z,ooz
new buildings were filed, while last year the
number was 2, ,623. But the estimated cost OF
the building operations in 1888 was greater
than IN 1881. The cost Of new buildings and
alterations last year amounted to $4S, S,S4o,o'4i J
n slight decrease from the estimate for 1882. vi
this total estimated outlay $3.50, 436 was 10
cover alterations in old buildings. Inspector Es-
terbrook reports a better disposition on the part
of property owners to comply with the require
ments of the bureau for providing proper
means of egress in case of fire. But IN some IN
stances these requirements have not been
complied with. Such violations OF law nave
not been punished ecause of failure IN tne
prosecution, partly due to defects IN the statute
INSPECTOR EsterbroOk again remarks on Ihe ne
cessity of legislation to improve the Duiiuins
laws. The Legislature ought TO give thls Aii-
portant matter its early attention.
The Investigation ordered by the State Senate
Yesterday into the adulteration oil DAIRY anu
farm products, if it brings to light some OF the
nractices of which complaints have freely been
made of late, will result in good. But the com
mittee ought to find out, if possible, why the
laws on this subject are not enforced. There
are several stringent acts intended to prevent
the adulteration of butter, and the sale of oleo-
margarine or any imitation butter except under
its true name. Such laws remain imperative.
The manufacture of imitation butter has IN
creased largely and this fraudulent article Is
sold by retail dealers for genuine butter. This
is grievance for which the farmers and dairy
producers have good ground to ask redress.
There are stringent laws also in regard to the
adulteration of milk and other articles OF
food. The Senate Committee shOnld tnd out
from the State Board of Health and other
sources why these laws are not enforced. 1t
will probably not take long to discover that so
far as the State Board of Health is concerned
the blame lies at the door of Governor Cleve-
land, who vetoed the appropriation made for
that purpose last year. But the same excuse
will not hold good in other cases.
The State Board of Charities has renewed the
recommendation that the care Of the insane In
New-York and Brooklyn ought to be made in
dependent Of the care Of paupers and criminals.
At the present time all these interests are under
the charge of one department in each county.
The Board apparently thinks that the city IS
too economical in the care of its insane. 1t re-
cites the fact that the State expends $23770l
more for the maintenance of 1854 lnatics
than New-York and Kings counties expcnd for
the care of their 4,761 insane. 1t Is probable,
however, as intimated by the Governor III his
message, that some Of the State institutions are
conducted in altogether too expensive
manner There is no doubt of
the need of more room for the
use of the insane III this city, but otherwise
we believe they are fairly well treated. The
importance of additional room is evident from
the rapid increase in the number Of inmates in
the city asylums Since 1871 there has been
an increase Of 153 per cent in the number of
the city insane, while in Kings County the in
crease has been only so per cent. New York
and Kings now not only maintain all their own
insane, but care for many lunatics brought
here from other States, and at thes anne time pay
about one half the yearly cost of the State in
stitutions. The injustice of this is self-evident.