New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-05
nur NICK INFAMH.


4. .ho ;nvestipation of the Dock Department
aoos on and the mud and silt are stirred up
more thoroughly, the results grow daily fouler
and more disgusting. No man OF any SELL
respect can retain the position OF Commissioners
when it is made clear that to his laxness' negh-
oeuce and sloth is due a reprehensible and even
criminal condition Of affairs in an important
municipal department. The spectacle whlch
our Commissioners of Docks have been making
Of themselves would be comical If it were not
dcplorable Each ono of them has apparently
thought that he owed nothing to the CITY, noun
ING TO the taxpayers, nothing to his own con-
science and manhood. Each one OF them seems
70 have been content to go on drawing MS sal
arv without earning a cent of it, for certainly
no one Of the Dock Commissioners can be ac-
cused of any activity, diligence or care wheh
such frauds. abuses and corruption nave Deeh
rife under his very nose a have been discioseu
in the present investigation.
Enough has been revealed, and far more IMAM
enough, to justify the prompt removal Oh every
member Of the Board Some Apologies 1or the
discracefuI, inefficient and leaty admnistra-
tion of the docks have declared that the IN
vestiga'ion was Tammany scheme TO gct con-
troll of this branch of the citys business w nat
ovor NAV have been the motives which inspired
the beginning of this examination, so much
has been uncovered, so much that was hlddeh
and foul that the Investigators are entltied 10
the thanks of all decent citizens. II is indeed
prievous state of affairs when men who have
been respected and esteemed by their associates
in the community are proved guilty of such
L l. 30 +hipTprV and fraud
which were practised before their eyes The
evidence bout the swindng in the dredging
is alone serious enough to win credit for those
who have been successful in exposing it. The
degrading influence of faction politics is rarely
moe painfully eXemplified than in the failure
Of the Commis soners even to attempt to give
any return to the taxpayers for the salaries
which they were receiving. They ought to be
driven out in disgrace without delay.
But the removal of the Dock Commission
ers, and the Indictment and punishment OF all
subordinates, contractors and accomplices who
have been guilty of defrauding the municipal
government, are not the only results which
should be brought about by this Investigate on.
The Legislature should act early. The Dock
Department during this coming session must
be put under the control of the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment, as the other city
departments are There never was any good
reason for giving it Independent authority to
spend the proceeds of bonds with the reckless
ness, the prodigality, the wantonness, which
the Commissioners have displayed. Reform
the department. altogether, and put it in its
proper place in the city government, as de-
partment which cannot spend one dollar ex-
cept under proper authorization. If any de-
partment of the city government deserved the
amplest freedom, the largest opportunity, it
certainly was not that Of docks. 1t was that
of schools Nevertheless, all the school money
is appropriated by the Board of Estimate and
AppotiOnment. SO must all the dock money
be ho.eafter.