New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-08
PRACTICAL SOCIOLOGY.


opportunities for testing them by keeping their
gaze so elevated that they cannot perceive what
is passing under their noses. There are many
truly beautiful theories of life and conduct, the
practical consequences Of which would, If noted,
surnrise those who are most enthusiastic in their
theoretical advocacy. Among these the doc
trine of passive endurance or forbearance has
a reputation which does not seem to have much
analogy with the actual effects OF the principle.
The general management Of municipal affairs
in this city furnishes some instructive examples
Of the theory referred to- The people of New
York have in the course of evolution grown to
be the most patient, submissive and forbearing
community on the face of the earth. There is
nothing which they will not suffer at the pres
ent time, and their good temper, meekness and
forgiveness of injuries are unparalleled. Ac-
cording to the hypothesis the constant exercise
Of those Christian virtues ought to have brought
happiness, order, peace, and good local govern
ment to so amabe and unresenting public.
But survey of the situation as it exists seems
TO suggest a radical defect in the system some
how. for it would be hard to find people more
severely punished for their benignity.
As matter of fact, they are dealt with just
rs profane and wicked men have always said
people would be dealt with who turned their
cheeks to the smiter The agents they elect
to guard the general interest pay no attention
whatever to it. Factions, " halls" chques OF
every kind, manage the municipality, and the
question never is of what is best for the people
Of New-York, but of what Tammany, or the
County Democracy, or some other irresponsible
centre of selfish intrigue and spoil seeking,
wants, Look at the state of our streets Every
bodv knows that it is a standing shame and
scandal thatno other great city In the world
would tolerate the corrupt and imbecile middle
for day that the money Of the people IS much
worse than wasted in reckless digging and
laying pavements and constructing to-day what
is DESTROYED to- morrow. Folly and knavery go
hand in hand here; but then we are used TO
that alliance, and bear it beautifully. If only
human life were safe it would be something,
hut it seems that loyal application OF the
doctrine Of forbearance is Incompatible with
such security, 50 we put up with the criminal
parsimony of corporations which to save the
expense of proper insulation exposes all who
walk our streets to sudden death through the
breaking of some rotten electric light wire or
it's detachment from its supports
After this example of our submission, it is
not singular that contractors are allowed to set
off dynamite blasts anyhow and anywhere, and
that when they happen to shatter dwelling
house, or blow in its front or side. or wreck
few thousand dollars worth of furniture, or
break few heads or ribs, we merely read the
details in the papers with mild interest, and
,nx-t IA n
are told that the Croton water upon which we
Or most Of us-depend is being so polluted
that it becomes dangerous to drink it, we re-
gard the information much as though 1t related
To some irresistible force of nature, like light
ming or the whirlwind. 1t is not surprising that
even intending suicides have begun to follow
the prevailing example, and avail themselves
of our patient endurance to test our staying
Qualities still further. They drown themselves
in one of the reservoirs which supply us with
drinking water and we imbibe our tincture OF
suicide with placid equanimity which might
give points to the martyr with his shirt OF fire.
Surely the contemplation of the most meek and
invertebrate community this planet can show
should attract sociologists, and they should
come and study us They would find that we
were faithful in all things to one great pnn-
cip,e: that we allow everybody to work their
will upon us. Also they would discover that
in spite of every concession something is want
ing to the success of our scheme that somehow
there is more friction and waste and discomfort
and inconvenience and stealing and jobbery
and bad work and general unfaithfulness, self
ish greed and irresponsibility than ought to
consist with the thorough application Of the
principle Of non resi- stance.