New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-14
SOME MUNICIPAL Reforms.

Among the problems connected with the
government of this city those relating to It's
streets have caused the greatest embarrass-
ment. How to keep the city paved decently
and how to keep the pavementS clean are ques-
tons to which no adequate answer has ever
been given. We have never believed that any
reason exists for the disgraceful condition OF
the streets other than the incapacity, careless
ness or dishonesty of officials charged with the
duty of paving and cleaning them. 1t is
simple matter to lay good pavements ana to
svveep the dirt from them. New-York is the
dirtiest and the most wretchedly paved city OF
its size in the civilized world. and more money
is spent keeping it in disorder than is required
70 maintain other great cities in perfect
condition.
If Mr.. Grant wishes to sgnalize his admin
istyation above all others he can DO it by
proving the possibility of making and keeping
New ork streets clean and passable. he VIII
find in the third of Mayor Hewitts admirable
messages. transmitted to the Board OF Alder
men on February l. number OF highly val
nable suggestions bearing on this question:
The public is entirely ready to assume the eA-
pense of repaving the lower districts where
the worst condition prevails, If only Mr. Grant
enables them to believe that honest, economical
and efficient work will be done. Scandals IN
the Public Works Department have been SO
numerous and so prolonged that the pubic
mind has come to look upon the words con
tract, and "jobbery" as synonymous. IL
hos come to look upon the business OF CIVIL
engineering under the city governments as inc
business of enabling contractors and pohuclahs
to swindle the city. In fact the pubic mhd
now receives it as matter Of course that any
scheme of so-called public improvement Is noun
ING else than an assault on the city treasury
IN which robbery is inevitable, premedltated
and prearanged.
This is not a prejudice. 1t is conviction
justified by a long and uninterrupted series OIL
proofs 1t was the principal cause OF the Oouh-
ty Democracy's rout in the last election Mr.
Grant has grand opportunity to persuade the
people to take different view of these things.
They elected him because they saw no chance
If reform so long as the County Democracy
held power. They have given him large au-
thority. He has it in his hands to perform
greater services to New-York than any OF the
long line of his predecessors. They will watch
| his first steps with profound interest," Inc
direction of those steps will largely determine
public opinion as to his capacity and char
acter. If the people see that he is being pulled
hither and yon by the old political hunkers OF
Tammany Hall, he need expect no encourage
ment to undertake any of the important public
works so greatly demanded. If, on the other
hand, he shows by wise and safe appointments
that he really means to deserve public conii-
dence, he will find the broadcast avenues of
usefulness before him that have ever been
opened TO a Mayor of New-York. In the re-
paving of the city, the building OF school
houses, and the provision of sufficient wharf
accommodations alone, a splendid work, the
immediate need of which is glarngly apparent,
waits only for the hand of some one whom the
people can trust.