The sun., 1890-10-01


Loss to $3.50
The reduction In the cost OF maintain
Ing these two Offices predicted by the
advocates OF the changed system has not
been experienced. but separate and inde-
pendent Legislation OF an enlightened and
progressive sort has improved the manage
ment OF the Registers Office by the new sys-
tenn OF short forms" and by the operation
Of companies established to examine and
guarantee title to real estate. In the case
OF the Department OF Charities and Correc-
ton. which costs tho people OF New York
some $4,000, 900 year, there Is no fec sys-
tenn, and in this department there Is prob
ably larger scope than in any other
municipal office for genuine, salutary,
and iar-reachng reforms. The Sep
tember Grand Jury made, only
short time ago, presentment setting
forth n condition of affairs in several Of the
public institutions which is little to the
credit of the municipality. The Commits
sioners, on their own behalf declared that
while mauy OF the charges formulated
against the management OF their department
were In great measure true, they were at
trbutable almost wholly to the action Of the
Board OF Estimate and Apportionment In
the withholding Of adequate appropriations.
Whatever be the facts of the matter-and
they are entitled to careful and dispassion-
ate Observation-Disclosures can be very little
doubt OF the inability of the Commissioners
from one cause or another, to cope with tho
great problem placed in their hands. OF CIV
ing shelter and succor to the SICK suffering.
needy. and afflicted OF the citys popu-
lation-the blind, inflrm, and the insane
Their labors as Commissioners OF Char
tiles are supplemented by the RESPONSE
bilties imposed upon them as Commission
ers of Correction, charged with the care and
custody of the inmates OF the local prisons,
the penitentiary, and the workhouse. They
Of five hospitals, and have constantly under
their care n large number OF children. 1t
seems to have been the practice In time
past for the Commissioners In charge Of
this department to apply portion Of the
money allotted to them each year to the ex-
pense Of erecting new buildings and i'm
proving old ones out of the sum which
should have been used for current expenses
whereas other departments OF similar mag
nitude and importance have special build
ing or construction account and are, in
some cases, even permitted to have bonds
specially issued for their use, the proceeds Of
which are applied, under their direction, to
such work when needed.
But. as usually happens, 1t Is the least i'm
portant Office or department which engages
most surely the attention Of the perennial
reformer. The fractional reduction Of the
fees paid to the Register. County Clerk,
or Sheriff is matter OF grave importance to
him; but the abuses deficiencies, and delin-
quencies Of a department like that OF Char
tiles and Correction, involving the well-being
and almost the existence of thousands Of
persons, is to them matter Of no concern.
They know nothing about it; they do moth
ing about it.
The Mayor to be elected six weeks hence
will have the appointment of a Charities and
Correction Commissioner, and the Legisla-
ture to be elected at the same time will, If it
have Democratic majority in the Assem-
bly,, be called upon to take part in such
legislation as is demanded for this depart
Inent on the grounds Of humanity as well
rs of utility