New-York tribune., 1891-09-16
EYIT REATTIE.

Mayor Grant yesterday certified TO tne board
of Health that in his opinion the public welfare
reaured the removal of Hans S. Beattie, head
of the Department of Street Cleaning, and
the Board promptly and by unanimous vote
confirmed the removal. Those whose
Measure or business it is to keep track of pub
lie officials had long been wondering what
had become of Beattie, and how soon he might
he expected to return TO his accustomed haunts'
But on Monday he was detected in the western
mart of the State, and his reappearance IN the
near future was confidently predicted. There
is a popular prejudice in favor of having the
chief of an important department at his post
and especially when its affairs are in shock
ing and desperate condition. But in this IN
stance we cannot say that there was universal
determination to get Beattie back at all hazards.
There seemed to be general CONVICTION tnat
so long as he remained in Office the streets would
keep ON degcnerating, whether he was present
or absent lie returned yesterday, but II ne
had STAYED away one day longer there would
not have been even sentimental reason lor
his coming. The Mayor decided that he was
in urgent need of successor. Exit Beattle.
When this moribund Commissioner took up
the broom which Mr. LOOMS had lnd down
TIE TRIBUNE expressed the benevolent opin-
ion that he had in him the making of an agile
and industrious scavenger. We suspect that we
fell into colossal error. Certain it is that if
the capacity was there the Commissioner mas
never permitted it to be seen or feit From 'he
first day Of his incumbency to the last nc has
been q conspicuous and total failure. 1t can
not be said that he has not had fair cnance'
He was the Mayors selection, and he has en-
loved the Mayors constant support great
increase in the appropriation for his department
was voted at his request, in order that the con-
trast in results might demonstrate his sagaclty
and efficiency. His own confidence was unlm-
paired He promised to make and keep tho
streets clean, if his demand was granted, or TO
resign. lie has done neither Of these deslrable
things lie has lot the streets get filthIer every
day and at last the Mayor has been forced to
ask for his removal He has not made even
those occasional fecting displays of zeal and
activity with which Tammany officials are won't
to deceive the unrefccting. His administration
has been monotonous dead-level OF neglect
and incompetence.
After Beattie, what? Upon the answer to
that question depends in great degree the
health and comfort of this metropolis. What
are the Mayors zeal wishes and Intentions
Does he want to be the means of bringing in a
genuine far-reacbing reform? Or does he de-
sire to have the great sum Of money which the
pet pie pay for the purpose on keeping their
thoroughfares wholesome and slightly 50 eXpend-
ed as Just TO prevent popular anger and con-
demnation, while Tammany fattens as usual
on the patronage and steangs? Mayor Grant
has sometimes given indications of sincere
nurpose to ascertain what ails the street-cleaning
system and to make new departure. lie ap-
pointed an excellent special commission to in
vestigate the subject, and he accepted their
thorough and able report with cordial and ex-
plicit approval But from that day until yes
terday he has let the business drift along in the
old. worthless, disgraceful way. Soon after the
commission reported he made a public an
nouncement TO the effect that he was about to
take a step which would give general satisfac-
ton. What he meant by this he has never
permitted the community to know. Perhaps he
had in mind the removal of Beattie, which some
unhappy complication has postponed until now
The letter of the Board Of Health jncloSing
reports Of the monthly inspection, to which the
! Mavor's ceItifcation Of Beattie for removal is
response, is ali official recognition of the fact
that the present condition of the streets is a
menace to public health. There is no news in
this announcement, but we are glad to have il
20 on record The streets have suggested fear:
of pestilence all summer Cool weather has
prevented realization of the worst possibilities
but the season of rains and maiara fevers is
upon us, and the conditions are not improving
In consequence of extensive operations along
two great thoroughfareS and numerous changes
of pavement elsewhere considerable part Of
the city is in state of upheaval which makes
the task of cleaning it doubly difficult. But
this supplies no excuse for neglectng the rest
On the contrary, it is an additional reason fol
activity and thoroughneSs. Commissioner Beat
ties successor will start with iirst-rate chance
70 show whether or not he is fit for the place.